SEC Tailgating: Where should you go in each town?

The best restaurants with the best food in each SEC town was revealed a few days ago. Although as we know, with college football comes not just restaurants, but tailgating as well.

Tailgating is a long-time tradition amongst football fans at all levels – college, professional, and even youth.

While a web search can tell you 50 different places for each campus to tailgate, some are hidden. And some, simply not easily traceable on the internet. So I went ahead and reached out to some of the top fans at each university to get their opinions. Here is what I found. And you can find each of them on their “X” profiles listed below their schools:

SEC Tailgating: Where should you go in each town?

Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)

The Main Quad: At the center of campus, this is the premiere spot for tailgating on the campus of Alabama. You’ll find tailgating tents butted up against each other for football fields of southern hospitality. The University of Alabama’s historic Denny Chimes sits on the quad as well which is must-see.

Suggestions provided by @kitkatb34 @jkrolltide @cflbass

Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)

Hog Walk: Two hours before game-time, you’ll see the Razorbacks come off the buses and process into the stadium. This happens right across from Lot44 which is a known prime tailgating spot because of its passionate fans and proximity to the stadium.

Suggestions provided by @rickybaw @sherrycarter31 @randomuser27694

Auburn (Auburn, AL)

Amphitheater: Located east of Jordan-Hare Stadium, the amphitheater is a huge space of green in the heart of campus. This is a great spot to truly take in the atmosphere of an Auburn tailgate. Make sure to get there early if you plan on setting up.

Suggestions provided by @just13julee

Florida (Gainesville, FL)

O-Dome Parking Lot: This is one of the centers of tailgating for Gator nation as it’s closest to the stadium. Filled with tents, great food and friendly southern hospitality. This is right near the “gator walk” as well where the Gators will march into the stadium two hours before the game begins.

Frat Row: Not necessarily a tailgate, but a spectacle to see so much pageantry amongst the students, as well as decorated houses getting everyone riled up for gameday in the Swamp.

Suggestions provided by @gatortimsports cd3gator @aj_uf77

Georgia (Athens, GA)

Myers Hall quad: Get there early if you’re planning on setting up as the quad will fill up fast. This lush lawn area is right in the heart of campus between residential halls. College Gameday and SEC Nation have both broadcast shows from here.

North Campus: Shady oaks cover this area which gives the most Georgia of feels to your university tailgate. This is also close to Herty Field, which is the birthplace of Georgia football and is about a half mile walk from the stadium.

Suggestions provided by @dawgstats, @thedalejacobs @vis0rpumps

Kentucky (Lexington, KY)

There isn’t necessarily one specific place for tailgating at Kentucky, but you can find lots all around the stadium where Wildcat passion is at an all-time high on gameday. “Kclub” is where all of the former players congregate and is right near the “cat walk” which is a prime spot to watch the players get off the bus before the game.

Suggestions provided by @robBBn

LSU (Baton Rouge, LA)

Tailgating is scattered throughout the LSU campus, but make sure to make your way. Make sure to make your way to Victory Hill March to see the band, cheerleaders and football team process into the stadium amongst thousands of LSU fans.

Suggestions provided by @dubroctoni

Mississippi State (Starkville, MS)

The Junction:  A five-way intersection turned legendary tailgating scene right next to Davis Wade Stadium, this is a must-stop if you’re attending a Bulldogs game. When it was an intersection, it had a train track running through it as well and claimed the previous nickname “malfunction junction.” Now know as simply “The Junction,” this tailgate spot includes anything you can think of and also the place to watch the “dawg walk” as the Bulldogs football team walks into the stadium a few hours before the game.

Suggestions provided by @dylanmflippo @trentonrcole @daddybradley @dudynoblefield @chadmask_msu @reporterchrisw

Missouri (Columbia, MO)

The Antlers: “The Antlers” are the hardcore Mizzou fans that take to Lot U on gameday. They won’t be easy to miss as they’ll be decked out in Tigers gear.

Ole Miss (Oxford, MS)

The Grove: Even if you know very little about college football, you probably have heard of “The Grove.” This is probably the most known tailgate in all of college football. This 10-acre grassy area became a relic on gameday filling quickly with tents, food, team spirit and southern hospitality. It’s also heavily shaded by oak trees, keeping it cool in the warmer months. The team also processes through on their way into the stadium a few hours before gametime.

Suggestions provided by @little_fat_dids & @Stevewillis

South Carolina (Columbia, SC)

Gamecock Park: One of the most electric tailgating scenes in college football, Gamecock Park is where you’ll find many of the gamecock faithful before the game begins. It fills up quick so if you’re planning on setting up, get there early.

Cockaboose Railroad: 22 cabooses are placed on tracks near the stadium that have been renovated into condos that serve as tailgates to those that reserve them on gameday. Even if you don’t have one reserved, it’s quite a sight to see.

Suggestions provided by @cockyfaithful, @corgimom51

Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)

G-10 Parking Garage: “G-10” is all you have to tell a Vols fan and they’ll know right where you are. This popular parking garage amongst Vols fans is one of the primary spots on gameday for tailgating. Go all the way to the top level and you have a beautiful view of the stadium and the Tennessee river. Go to the bottom level and you have easy access to tailgates sprawled out right next to the parking garage. This scene is so popular that country singer Morgan Wallen mentions it in his song “Had me by Halftime.”

Volunteer Village: A family-friendly spot for tailgating on gameday. You’ll hear live music, food and plenty of activities to get you ready for the game.

Vol Navy: Like The Grove in Oxford, the Vol Navy is another legendary tailgating scene on the Tennessee River alongside Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. You’ll find hundreds of boats floating on the river tailgating. Last year on ESPN’s College Gameday, host Pat McAfee joined the party and backflipped into the river.

Suggestions provided by @vflpaul_ , @The_irish_hammer, @vol_equalizer, @imsusiebird

Texas A&M (College Station, TX)

Aggie Park: This is probably the most known spot for Aggies tailgating on gameday. You’ll be right there as the Aggies walk into the stadium as well surrounded by pageantry for Gig ‘em nation.

Midnight Yell: Although not a tailgate, this is an A&M tradition worth mentioning. The Midnight Yell happens the night before an Aggies home game in which fans pack Kyle Field and are led in rehearsing chants by the yell crew.

Suggestions provided by @mattfosterdtx

Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN)

Vandyville: Located at the southwest corner of the stadium, Vandyville is by far the most popular spot for tailgating before games. Vandy fans will come out in droves to get ready for the game.

Suggestions provided by @auricgoldfinger