Most people think of New Year’s as a time to gather and reflect over the past year and set resolutions for the future. Sports fans on the other hand, see it as two days of back-to-back games. New Year’s is definitely the best holiday to throw a tailgate party. To ensure you and your team take full advantage of the holiday, here is a full rundown of the New Year’s sports schedule along with some tips for tailgaters and homegaters alike.
Tailgating On New Year’s
If you’re one braving the cold to support your team, make sure to check out our cold weather gear recommendations. These will keep you nice and toasty while cheering your team on at the tailgate and on the field. We also have a full guide to tailgating in the winter. It offers everything from recipes to gear recommendations to tips for staying warm on the lot. If you’re tailgating in the South or just really love cold weather, we also have some New Year’s tailgating tips like these tasty holiday punch recipes your whole team will love. Let us know where you’re heading this New Year’s, we’d love to hear what games you’re watching.
Homegating On New Year’s
If you’d rather stay in and avoid the holiday traffic and winter weather, homegating is a great option for New Year’s. We’ve got a really extensive guide to homegating that covers everything you need to plan a fun gathering with your team. There are tons of tasty recipes, fun decor, and even some cool games you can play together. Plus, you’ll be able to watch multiple games at once. Our viewing guide below can help you plan your New Year’s gameday schedule.
Football Games On New Year’s
New Year’s is really a bowl game holiday and perfect for hosting either a tailgate or a homegate party. There are six major college bowl games over the two-day period. However, there are some other matches you can watch too. Here is the football schedule for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:
- 11:00 am EST: Taxslayer Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida: ACC vs. SEC (Watch on ESPN)
- 12:00 pm EST: Outback Bowl, Tampa, Florida: Big Ten vs. SEC (Watch on ESPN2)
- 12:30 pm EST: Tony The Tiger Bowl, El Paso, Texas: ACC vs. Pac-12 (Watch on CBS)
- 1 pm EST: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida: Big Ten vs. SEC (Watch on ABC)
- 3:00 pm EST: Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas: TBA (Watch on ESPN)
- 3:30 pm EST: Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Florida: TBA (Watch on ESPN)
- 4:30 pm EST: Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Arizona: MAC vs. MWC (Watch on Barstool)
New Year’s Day:
- 1 pm EST: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale Arizona: At-large vs. at-large (Watch on ESPN)
- 5 pm EST: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California: Big Ten vs. Pac-12 (Watch on ESPN)
- 8:45 pm EST: Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, Louisiana: SEC vs. Big 12 (Watch on ESPN)
Hockey Games On New Year’s
As if all the football games weren’t enough, there’s also an awesome hockey schedule. NHL Games are played on both days and are great to mix into your tailgating party watch schedule. Here are all the games to check out:
New Year’s Eve:
- 1:00 pm EST: Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa, Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, Ontario (Watch on ESPN)
- 1:00 pm EST: Edmonton vs. New Jersey, Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey (Watch on ESPN)
- 3:00 pm EST: Anaheim vs. Vegas, T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (Watch on Fox Sports)
- 7:00 pm EST: NY Rangers vs. Tampa Bay, Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida (Watch on ESPN+)
- 7:30 pm EST: Washington vs. Detroit, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan (Watch on CBS)
- 8:30 pm EST: Colorado vs. Dallas, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas (Watch on NBC Sports)
- 9:00 pm EST: Winnipeg vs. Calgary, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta (Watch on ESPN)
New Year’s Day:
- 1:00 pm EST: Buffalo vs. Boston, TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts (Watch on ESPN)
- 1:00 pm EST: Montréal vs. Florida; FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Florida (Watch on NBC Sports)
- 1:00 pm EST: Carolina vs. Columbus, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio (Watch on ESPN)
- 2:00 pm EST: Edmonton vs. New York Islanders, USB Arena, Elmont, New York (Watch on ESPN+)
- 2:00 pm EST: Chicago vs. Nashville, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee (Watch on Fox Sports)
- 7:00 pm EST: Ottawa vs. Toronto, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario (Watch on ESPN)
- 7:00 pm EST: St. Louis vs. Minnesota, Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Watch on ESPN)
- 10:00 pm EST: Vancouver vs. Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington (Watch on ESPN)
- 10:30 pm EST: Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California (Watch on ESPN)
Basketball Games On New Year’s Eve
Another sport to watch at your New Year’s tailgate party is Basketball. There’s a ton of NCAA basketball games where you can see the future NBA stars show off their skills. Here is the basketball schedule for New Year’s.
New Year’s Eve:
- 12:00 pm EST: UC Davis vs. Hawaii, Stan Sheriff Center
- 12:00 pm EST: Watch onHigh Point vs. Kentucky, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Siena vs. Iona, Hynes Athletics Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Carver Bible College vs. Liberty, Liberty Arena
- 1:00 pm EST: Marist vs. Monmouth, OceanFirst Bank Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Drexel vs. UNC Wilmington, Raiford G. Trask Coliseum
- 1:00 pm EST: Sacred Heart vs. Bryant, Chase Athletic Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Sul Ross St. vs. Texas A&M, America Bank Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Champion Christian vs. Central Arkansas, Farris Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Converse College vs. Winthrop, Winthrop Coliseum
- 2:00 pm EST: Wagner vs. Mt. St. Mary’s, Knott Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: LIU vs. Merrimack, Hammel Court
- 2:00 pm EST: Niagara vs. Quinnipiac, People’s United Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Belhaven vs. New Orleans, Lakefront Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: Manhattan vs. Fairfield, Webster Bank Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: Northeastern vs. William & Mary, Kaplan Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: James Madison vs. Towson, SECU Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: Canisius vs. St. Peter’s, Yanitelli Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Delaware vs. Charleston, TD Arena
- 4:00 pm EST: Hofstra vs. Elon, Schar Center
- 4:00 pm EST: CCSU vs. ST. Fran.-NY, Peter Aquilone Court
- 4:00 pm EST: Alice Lloyd vs. E. Kentucky, McBrayer Arena
- 7:00 pm EST: FDU vs. St.Fran.-PA, DeGol Arena
New Year’s Day:
- 12:00 pm EST: Creighton vs. Marquette, Fiserv Forum
- 12:00 pm EST: East Carolina vs. South Florida, Yuengling Center
- 12:00 pm EST: Memphis vs. Wichita State, Charles Koch Arena
- 12:00 pm EST: St. John’s vs. Georgetown, Capital One Arena
- 12:00 pm EST: North Carolina vs. Boston College, Silvio O. Conte Forum
- 12:00 pm EST: West Virginia vs. Texas, Frank Erwin Special Events Center
- 1:00 pm EST: Furman vs. VMI, Cameron Hall
- 1:00 pm EST: Bucknell vs. Boston U., Cass Gym
- 2:00 pm EST: Navy vs. Holy Cross, Hart Recreation Center
- 2:00 pm EST: West Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech, Thomas Assembly Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Baylor vs. Iowa State, James H. Hilton Coliseum
- 2:00 pm EST: Chattanooga vs. Mercer, Hawkins Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: Louisiana vs. Coastal Carolina, HTC Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Colgate vs. Lafayette
- 2:00 pm EST: Buffalo vs. East Michigan, Convocation Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Milwaukee vs. North Kentucky, BB&T Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: South Dakota vs. North Dakota State, Scheels Center,
- 2:00 pm EST: Green Bay vs. Wright State, Ervin J. Nutter Center
- 2:00 pm EST: UTEP vs. Middle Tennessee, Murphy Atlantic Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Loyola Mid vs. Army, Christl Arena
- 2:00 pm EST: Villanova vs. Seton Hall, Prudential Center
- 2:00 pm EST: Louisville vs. Georgia Tech, McCamish Pavilion
- 2:00 pm EST: Providence vs. DePaul, Wintrust Arena
- 3:00 pm EST: Robert Morris vs. Detroit, Calihan Hall
- 3:00 pm EST: Lamar vs. SF Austin, William R. Johnson Coliseum
- 3:00 pm EST: Arizona State vs. UCLA, Pauley Pavilion
- 3:00 pm EST: Youngstown State vs. Oakland, Athletics Center Arena
- 3:00 pm EST: Idaho State vs. Montana State, Max Worthington Arena
- 3:00 pm EST: Troy vs. UT Arlington, College Park Center
- 3:00 pm EST: Marshall vs. Southern Mississippi, Reed Green Coliseum
- 3:00 pm EST: UT Rio Grande Valley vs. Sam Houston, Johnson Coliseum
- 3:00 pm EST: UTSA vs. UAB, Bartow Arena
- 3:00 pm EST: The Citadel vs. Samford, Pete Hanna Center
- 3:00 pm EST: Central Michigan vs., Miami, John D. Millett Hall
- 3:30 pm EST: Ohio vs. Michigan, University Arena in Read Fieldhouse
- 4:00 pm EST: Tennessee State vs. Morehead State, Ellis T. Johnson Arena
- 4:00 pm EST: Old Dominion vs. FAU, FAU Arena
- 4:00 pm EST: San Diego State vs. UNLV, Thomas & Mack Center
- 4:00 pm EST: Boise State vs. Wyoming, Arena-Auditorium
- 4:00 pm EST: East Washington vs. Northern Arizona, Walkup Skydome
- 4:00 pm EST: Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech, United Supermarkets Arena
- 4:00 pm EST: UL-Monroe vs. Appalachian State, Holmes Convocation Center
- 4:00 pm EST: West Carolina vs. ETSU, Freedom Hall Civic Center
- 4:00 pm EST: Florida State vs. North Carolina State, PNC Arena
- 4:00 pm EST: Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech, Cassell Coliseum
- 4:00 pm EST: Butler vs. Connecticut, XL Center
- 4:00 pm EST: Tarleton State vs. Utah Valley, UCCU Events Center
- 4:00 pm EST: Lehigh vs. American, Bender Arena
- 4:12 pm EST: Cleveland State vs. Illinois Chicago, Credit Union 1
- 4:30 pm EST: Belmont vs. East Illinois, Lantz Arena
- 4:30 pm EST: SIEU vs. UT Martin, Skyhawk Arena
- 5:00 pm EST: South Alabama vs. Texas State, Strahan Coliseum
- 5:00 pm EST: Wofford vs. UNCG, Greensboro Coliseum
- 5:00 pm EST: Georgia State vs. Little Rock, Jack Stephens Center
- 5:00 pm EST: Austin Peay vs. SE Missouri State, Show Me Center
- 5:00 pm EST: TCU vs. Kansas, Allen Fieldhouse
- 5:00 pm EST: Georgia Southern vs. Arkansas State, First National Bank Arena
- 6:00 pm EST: Bowling Green versus Ball State, John E Worthen
- 6:00 pm EST: Rice vs. North Texas, The Super Pit
- 6:00 pm EST: Wake Forest vs. Miami, Watsco Center
- 6:00 pm EST: Duke vs. Notre Dame, Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
- 6:00 pm EST: Chicago St. vs. N. Mex. St., Pan American Center
- 7:00 pm EST: Tulane vs. Cincinnati, Fifth Third Arena
- 7:00 pm EST: N. Illinois vs. Akron, James A. Rhodes Arena
- 7:00 pm EST: Charlotte vs. FIU, Ocean Bank Convocation Center
- 8:00 pm EST: Kansas St. vs. Oklahoma, Lloyd Noble Center
- 8:00 pm EST: W. Illinois vs. St. Thomas (MN), Schoenecker Arena
- 8:00 pm EST: S. Dak. St. vs. North Dakota, Betty Engelstad Sioux Center
- 8:00 pm EST: Denver vs. UMKC, Swinney Recreation Center
- 8:00 pm EST: Neb.-Omaha vs. Oral Roberts, Mabee Center
- 8:00 pm EST: Virginia vs. Syracuse, Carrier Dome
- 8:00 pm EST: Tenn.Tech vs. Murray St., CFSB Center
- 8:30 pm EST: Pepperdine vs. Pacific, Spanos Center
- 8:30 pm EST: Colorado vs. Oregon St., Gill Coliseum
- 9:00 pm EST: UCSB vs. UC Irvine, Bren Events Center
- 9:00 pm EST: Abilene Chr. vs. Dixie State, Burns Arena
- 9:00 pm EST: N. Colorado vs. So. Utah, America First Event Center
- 9:00 pm EST: New Mexico vs. Nevada, Lawlor Events Center
- 9:00 pm EST: San Jose St. vs. Utah St., Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
- 9:00 pm EST: Weber St. vs. Montana, Dahlberg Arena
- 10:00 pm EST: BYU vs. Portland, Earle A. Chiles Center
- 10:00 pm EST: Idaho vs. Portland St., The Viking Pavilion
- 10:00 pm EST: Seattle vs. Cal Baptist, CBU Events Center
- 10:00 pm EST: CSFullerton vs. Cal Poly, Robert A. Mott Gym
- 10:00 pm EST: LBSU vs. Cal-Baker, Icardo Center
- 10:00 pm EST: CSNorthridge vs. UC San Diego, RIMAC
- 10:30 pm EST: Utah vs. Oregon, Matthew Knight Arena
We hope that you and your tailgating team have a great New Year’s tailgate party. For more ideas for your tailgate party, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and check out our Amazon Storefront. We offer tons of tailgating ideas, product reviews, and recipes to ensure you have the best time.
We wish you a Happy New Year and we’ll see you in 2022.
