10 Best Tailgate Giveaway Ideas to Score this Football Season
Tailgate parties are where friendships form, rivalries heat up, and team spirit reaches fever pitch. Promotional giveaways for tailgate parties from Pinnacle Promotions help brands tap into this energy while creating genuine connections with the fans who matter most.
Football season brings fans together for hours of food, fun, and team spirit that you can’t find anywhere else. In this article, we’ll explore ten game-changing tailgate giveaway ideas that’ll make your brand the MVP of every parking lot party.
1. Branded Coolers to Keep Drinks Cold
Coolers are one of the most popular tailgate giveaways because they’re practical, long-lasting, and always in demand. From compact models to full-size rolling units, branded custom coolers become essential equipment. Consider different styles, including the best soft cooler brands for portability, while delivering excellent brand visibility.
Top Pick: Koozie® Full Color Two-Tone Tailgate Rolling Cooler
This rolling cooler combines style and function with its eye-catching two-tone design. Features a heat-sealed PEVA liner, retractable handle, front zippered pocket, and side mesh storage for all tailgate essentials.
2. Folding Chairs and Stadium Seats for Comfort
Folding chairs and stadium seats are top tailgate giveaways because they provide comfort, visibility, and long-term use, making your brand part of every game day. Tailgating involves lots of sitting, and branded custom folding chairs deliver continuous visibility at eye level. Consider bundling with blankets for complete comfort packages.
Top Pick: Fanatic Event Folding Chair
Portable folding chair with armrest and dual cup holders for ultimate tailgate comfort. Supports 300 pounds with a matching carry case and shoulder strap for easy transport.
3. Custom Drinkware and Koozies
Drinkware and koozies are some of the most popular tailgate giveaways since fans always need cups, tumblers, and insulated mugs to enjoy their beverages. Stadium cups, insulated tumblers or travel mugs, and reusable water bottleswaterbottles work perfectly. Custom drinkware creates high-visibility items used repeatedly throughout events.
Top Pick: Sherpa Vacuum Tumbler & Insulator – 11 oz.
Versatile drinkware functions as a tumbler and can insulator. Keeps beverages hot for 5 hours or cold for 15 hours with a condensation-resistant design and secure slide closure lid.
4. Tailgate Apparel: Hats, Hoodies & T-Shirts
Branded apparel like hats, hoodies, and t-shirts are fan favorites at tailgates, offering wearable branding that builds team spirit and lasting impressions. Custom apparel creates walking advertisements while fostering team unity.
Top Pick: New Era Sideline Beanie
Professional-quality beanie with heather stripes, dual-colored pom, and warm fleece lining. Features a tonal embroidered New Era flag for subtle character and multiple color options available.
5. Tech Gear: Power Banks & Bluetooth Speakers
Tech giveaways such as power banks and Bluetooth speakers keep fans connected and entertained, making them practical and highly valued tailgate essentials. Power banks keep phones charged for game day posts while speakers set the mood. These branded tech accessories appeal to all ages and for any type of event.
Top Pick: Jabba Bluetooth Speaker
Compact Bluetooth speaker delivers powerful sound with a 33-foot range. Plays two hours at max volume, charges in 2.5 hours, and includes Bluetooth and 3.5mm input options. Available with custom wrap packaging for maximum brand visibility at tailgates.
6. Foam Fingers, Footballs, and Frisbees
Foam fingers, footballs, and frisbees are fun, interactive tailgate giveaways that boost fan engagement and keep your brand in play season after season. Interactive items keep fans engaged during downtime while foam fingers create instant team unity. Branded footballs and frisbees from our school spirit items collection provide fun for all ages.
Top Pick: 16″ Classic #1 Foam Finger
Vibrant polyurethane foam finger in classic “#1” design. Available in multiple colors, fits comfortably over the hand, and is customizable with screen-printed logos or messages. Made in the USA, perfect for boosting team spirit and brand exposure.
7. Portable Grills for Game Day Flavor
Portable grills and BBQ sets make premium tailgate giveaways, turning every cookout into a branded experience that fans will remember. Add your logo to mini grills and grill tool sets that work perfectly as higher-end giveaways for corporate sponsors or VIP events. These BBQ & grilling sets create memorable experiences since grilling is central to tailgate culture.
Top Pick: Cuisinart® Venture Portable Gas Grill
Compact portable gas grill with wooden chopping board lid, porcelain cast iron grates, comfort grip handle, and secure propane storage. Complete grilling solution for outdoor enthusiasts.
8. Tailgate Tents & Shade Canopies
Custom tents and canopies are standout tailgate giveaways, creating a branded home base that delivers maximum visibility and utility. Add your logo to tents that create the central gathering spot for fans while providing essential shade and weather protection. Our custom canopies offer maximum brand visibility since they’re large, prominent, and centrally located.
Top Pick: Deluxe 10′ Tent Kit w/ 4 Imprint Locations
Durable 10′ x 10′ event tent with steel frame and weather-resistant polyester canopy. Includes full-color thermal imprint in four locations, wheeled soft case, and stake kit. Flame-retardant, easy to set up, and offers maximum shade and visibility at tailgates.
9. Custom Fans
Custom fans are practical tailgate giveaways that keep crowds cool during the early football season while keeping your logo in hand. Early-season games often feature hot weather, where fans provide genuine relief and comfort. Custom fans with your logo create constant brand visibility as fans use them throughout events, making them perfect for mass distribution.
Top Pick: Plastic Hand Promotional Fan
A large imprint area promotional fan is perfect for sporting events. Lightweight plastic construction provides effective cooling while showcasing your custom logo prominently for maximum brand visibility.
10. Gourmet Food & Snack Baskets
Food and snack baskets are premium tailgate giveaways, offering gourmet treats that create a memorable, shareable brand experience. Add your logo to cheese and meat packs, snack boxes, and gift baskets that appeal to food-loving fans while providing premium positioning. These thoughtful custom gift sets work perfectly for high-end corporate gifting or VIP giveaways.
Top Pick: Happy’s Snack Attack Gift Set
Premium snack gift set featuring gourmet popcorn, Famous Amos cookies, granola bar, lip balm, candy, and customizable card. Packaged in a colorful box with space for your custom message or logo. A thoughtful, shareable tailgate giveaway.
How to Choose the Best Tailgate Giveaway Ideas
The best tailgate giveaway ideas are the ones that connect with your audience while keeping your brand front and center. Here’s how to pick the right products.
- Know your audience: Students love fun, low-cost items like koozies and foam fingers, while corporate groups or VIPs respond better to premium gifts like grills or gourmet snack baskets.
- Balance practical and fun: Choose a mix of everyday essentials (coolers, drinkware, power banks) and exciting game-day gear (apparel, footballs, tents).
- Match your budget to your goals: Bulk handouts are great for brand exposure, but save higher-end giveaways for raffles, contests, or top-tier clients.
- Think seasonal: Early-season tailgates call for fans and drinkware, while late fall games make blankets, hoodies, and hot drink tumblers more relevant.
When selecting useful promotional items for your tailgate campaign, focus on products that provide lasting value and genuine utility to create positive brand associations.
Make Your Brand the MVP This Football Season
Tailgate giveaways boost visibility and fan engagement while creating memorable experiences that extend far beyond game day. With Pinnacle’s 99.9% order accuracy, Free 24 Hour Rush Service, and Pinnacle Platinum Guarantee™, your promotional items will arrive exactly as you approved them, on time and ready to impress.
Effective promotional marketing strategies combine the right products with smart distribution to maximize impact. Pinnacle Knows Promo, and that’s why we help you create campaigns that score big with your audience.