Texas A&M fans tailgate at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Jc Auburntamu 11
With the 2024 college football season only weeks away, the SEC has officially expanded to 16 teams, and Texas and Oklahoma’s inclusion has improved the conference’s future. Outside of the SEC, conference realignment paired with the new college football playoff 12-team structure excites every fan for what’s to come once September comes.
Sticking with the SEC, every fan knows that game day truly begins once the early morning tailgates start. Arrive early to the stadium in the designated parking zone, set up shop, and enjoy the hours before the game with friends, family, and fellow fans. Regarding ranking the best pregame destination in the SEC, our friends at Bookies.com have provided a cohesive list for all 16 teams.
Whether it’s Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Texas, or Texas A&M, every fan believes their tailgate experience is the best. Still, this list has come to exist for the select few who have experienced every SEC tailgate experience. Here is the algorithm used: location tailgating, Entertainment around the Stadium, and family sentiment (entertaining and safe for kids), with scores ranging from 1 to 20 for each category.
16. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt fans tailgate before the Florida game at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Vandyvsflorida 03
Location: 5
Tailgating: 1
Entertainment: 1
Family Sentiment: 1
Total Score: 8
15. Arkansas
Sep 5, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; A view of fans tailgating before the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the UTEP Miners at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 1
Tailgating: 5
Entertainment: 4
Family Sentiment: 2
Total Score: 12
14. Kentucky
Oct 15, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Fans tailgate in the parking lot before the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
It’s tradition for Mississippi State fans to tailgate outside Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. Tcl 6cwneqonjszf23wn8r7 Original
Location: 4
Tailgating: 3
Entertainment: 3
Family Sentiment: 6
Total Score: 16
12. Missouri
Faurot Field, lined with tailgaters on its outlying parking lots, is seen before a college football game between Missouri and South Carolina on Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
Location: 2
Tailgating: 4
Entertainment: 9
Family Sentiment: 4
Total Score: 19
11. Florida
Florida Gators fans tailgate before an NCAA Football game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Location: 3
Tailgating: 8
Entertainment: 7
Family Sentiment: 7
Total Score: 25
For more Florida news and analysis, visit Gators Wire
10. South Carolina
Sep 27, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks fans tailgate at the “Cockabooses” lined up behind Williams-Brice Stadium. Missouri wins in the final minutes 21-20 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 7
Tailgating: 13
Entertainment: 5
Family Sentiment: 11
Total Score: 36
9. Ole Miss
Sep 16, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin walks down the Walk of Champions prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 6
Tailgating: 15
Entertainment: 8
Family Sentiment: 10
Total Score: 39
8. Auburn
Sep 16, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Fans tailgate before a game between the Auburn Tigers and the Samford Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 10
Tailgating: 6
Entertainment: 11
Family Sentiment: 13
Total Score: 40
For more Auburn news and analysis, visit Auburn Wire
7. Texas Au0026amp;M
Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; A view of the stadium and the tailgater fan tents before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 12
Tailgating: 7
Entertainment: 13
Family Sentiment: 9
Total Score: 41
6. Oklahoma
Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners fan Roger Ashby (far left) tailgates in his tent before the game against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 13
Tailgating: 9
Entertainment: 10
Family Sentiment: 12
Total Score: 44
For more Oklahoma news and analysis, visit Sooners Wire
5. Tennessee
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans tailgating outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Location: 14
Tailgating: 11
Entertainment: 6
Family Sentiment: 14
Total Score: 45
For more Tennessee news and analysis, visit Vols Wire
4. LSU
Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers fans pose during tailgate festivities before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; General overall view of the entrance to the Bevo Blvd. tailgate zone before the game between the Southern California Trojans and the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A new fan area is open outside Bryant-Denny Stadium before Alabama faced Middle Tennessee State to open the season, Sept. 2, 2023.
Location: 11
Tailgating: 12
Entertainment: 12
Family Sentiment: 15
Total Score: 50
For more Alabama news and analysis, visit Roll Tide Wire
1. Georgia
Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs fans tailgate prior to the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Peach Bowl Ohio State At Georgia
Location: 16
Tailgating: 14
Entertainment: 14
Family Sentiment: 16
Total Score: 60
For more Georgia news and analysis, visit UGA Wire
![Florida Gators fans tailgate before an NCAA Football game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/j704LMr71VqJxUoYe6eHhw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aggies_wire_usa_today_articles_632/fad9b4449c4f88ddee86570da093a8ca)
