A Brief History of Tailgating in Auburn

Few traditions capture the heart and spirit of Auburn University, and the South in general, like tailgating on the Plains. Long before the first whistle blows in Jordan-Hare Stadium, the streets, lawns, and parking lots of Auburn come alive with the smell of tailgate food and the sound of excitement. Tailgating has been a tried-and-true Auburn tradition for decades, as necessary on a football Saturday as the fight song. From its humble beginnings to the vibrant gatherings we see today, tailgating in Auburn has evolved into one of the most adored aspects of football, uniting fans from all walks of life in a celebration of love for the Auburn family.

"It's not the food or the location that makes the tailgate. It's the people," Bobby Giles, whose family has been Auburn fans their whole lives and never fails to miss a game day on the Plains, told The Auburn Plainsman.

Tailgating is more than just a pregame ritual. It’s as essential to gameday as the game itself. Since its beginnings in the 1960s, Auburn tailgating has become a way of life for fans. It all started when families would wait outside Jordan-Hare Stadium for the players to walk in before games. What is now called Tiger Walk bloomed into more and more fans lining up for the players, asking for autographs, and walking alongside them until they reached the stadium. This grew into fans showing up with coolers, grills, chairs, and tents, not just to greet the team but to spend the day together before kickoff. They would go to the parking lots surrounding the stadium, then the grass, and over the years, this grew into elaborate, multi-family parties with entire networks of friends and relatives dedicating hours to their tailgate spot. The tradition now spans through generations, with tailgate legacies handed down as families pass along recipes, tailgate names, and favorite locations.

Photos from the early days of tailgating show modest setups, but today, tailgating in Auburn means a sea of white tents across campus and an army of inflatable Aubies. For home games, the city’s population more than doubles, with fans arriving at their spot well before game time. Fans can begin reserving tailgate spots as early as 4 p.m. on Fridays. Premium tailgating services are also available through Revel XP, a popular option across campus. The crowds often outnumber the more than 88,000 people who can fit in Jordan-Hare, with many fans never stepping inside the stadium at all. They’re here less for the tickets and more for the company they’re surrounded by. Each tent and table tells a story of connection, centered around relationships and a shared love of Auburn football.

“Tailgating is as big a tradition as the Eagle Flight or Tiger Walk,” Billy Gilley ’95 told the Auburn Alumni Association. “The tailgate is a tradition unto itself.”

Each tailgate creates a sense of belonging for anyone who stops by, and each visitor is sure to be greeted with a “War Eagle” accompanied by a plate of food and a cold drink. Every game grows deeper roots in Auburn’s culture and tradition, because at Auburn, football and tailgating go together like orange and blue.