Best Game Day Tailgating Essentials at Target

Whether you have a designated spot in the stadium parking lot or love hosting friends at your home, a few quality tools and appliances can turn an average game day tailgate into a memorable moment. Growing up, I used to tag along with my dad to Panthers tailgates on Sundays. Speaking from experience, a good cooler keeps the drinks cold and the party going, while portable grills and small appliances are key to cooking burgers, wings, and other tailgating recipes from almost anywhere. Plus, don’t forget a good insulated water bottle or tumbler to keep hydrated on sunny afternoons. The best game day finds from shopper-loved brands like Stanley, Ninja, Owala, Weber, and Coleman start at $15.

Best Tailgating Finds Overall

Best Portable Grills for Tailgating

Is a tailgate really a tailgate if there’s no grill? Luckily, with an electric grill, indoor grill, or even portable charcoal grill, you can easily cook up your game day favorites from anywhere. At Target, you can snag portable grills from Weber, Ninja, Coleman, and Blackstone starting at just $15.

• Weber 14-Inch Smokey Joe Portable Grill$50
• KitchenSmith 2‑Burger Indoor Grill$15
• Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Nonstick Indoor Grill$150
• Coleman 4‑in‑1 Portable Propane Camp Stove$165
• Blackstone 28-Inch Omnivore Propane Griddle$390, originally $580
• Hike Crew 2‑in‑1 Gas Camping Stove & Grill With Griddle$120
• Costway Electric BBQ Grill$150, originally $290
• GasOne Butane Mini Camp Stove$70
• Americana Lock‑N‑Go Steel Portable Charcoal Grill$56, originally $90
• Sevobal Foldable Charcoal BBQ Grill$95, originally $108
• Lifemaster Stainless Steel Wood‑Burning Smokeless Fire Pit$35
• Royal Gourmet Portable Duo‑Sided Charcoal Grill$90

Weber 14-Inch Smokey Joe Portable Grill

Standing 17 inches tall and 14 inches wide, this itty-bitty Weber grill is about to become the star of football season. It’s as portable as charcoal grills come: small enough to fit on a tabletop but with enough cooking space to feed the whole family.

KitchenSmith 2‑Burger Indoor Grill

Cook up to two burgers with this bestselling grill — all you need is an outlet. The unit has a 24-inch power cord, making it easy to set up for small backyard get-togethers or watch parties. Best of all, it’s only $15 at Target.

Best Coolers for Tailgating

Nothing kills a party faster than a table full of warm drinks. A cooler is essential at any gathering, so we rounded up the best hard-sided, soft, and backpack-style coolers at Target. Whether you’re hauling drinks for a small group or a large party, shop top coolers from Stanley, Coleman, Igloo, and Rtic, starting at $20.

• Stanley 10‑Can All Day Julienne Mini Cooler$100
• Sun Squad 16‑Can 11-Quart Hard‑Sided Cooler$20
• Coleman Reunion 54‑Quart Steel‑Belted Cooler$200
• Rtic Outdoors 30‑Can Soft‑Sided Cooler$130
• Igloo Party Bar 126-Quart Party Cooler$240
• Stanley 16-Quart Easy Carry Plastic Outdoor Cooler$80
• Rtic Outdoors 52‑Quart Ultra‑Light Wheeled Hard‑Sided Cooler$280
• Embark 18-Quart Soft‑Sided Backpack Cooler$30
• Igloo Tag‑Along Too 11-Quart Hard‑Sided Cooler$50
• Arctic Zone Titan 16-Quart Eco Backpack Cooler$45

Stanley 10‑Can All Day Julienne Mini Cooler

This mini Stanley soft cooler has impressive durability and the visual appeal to match. It’s the model I own, and I receive compliments every time I use it. The cooler fits up to 10 cans and is as popular as you’d expect — it’s already sold out at Target in the hydrangea color.

Sun Squad 16‑Can 11-Quart Hard‑Sided Cooler

With its eye-catching colors and spacious interior, this hard-sided cooler is a summer showstopper. It has an 11-quart capacity and can fit up to 16 cans. A partition in the center allows you to keep drinks on one side and snacks on the other — no soggy sandwiches here.

Best Water Bottles and Tumblers for Tailgating

Staying hydrated is key when you’re celebrating in the sun, so don’t forget your favorite water bottle or tumbler. Target has water bottles and tumblers that let you sip in style, and prices start at $16. Standout picks include our editors’ favorite Stanley tumbler, the most versatile insulated water bottle we’ve tested from Owala, and more.

• Owala FreeSip 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle$25
• Stanley 30-Ounce Stainless Steel H2.0 FlowState Quencher Tumbler$35
• Ello Ava 18-Ounce Straw Tumbler$16
• Stanley 14-Ounce Stainless Steel H2.0 FlowState Quencher Tumbler$20
• Owala FreeSip Sway 30-Ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle$35
• Stanley 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Ice Flow Flip Straw Tumbler$30
• Klean Kanteen Rise Stainless Steel Tumbler with Flip Lid$30
• Thermos Icon 24-Ounce Insulated Stainless Cold Tumbler with Straw$30
• Owala FreeSip 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler$45
• Simple Modern 24-Ounce Stainless Steel Trek Straw Tumbler$25
• Owala 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler$40
• Host Freeze Double‑Walled Daily Water Bottle$27, originally $67
• Stanley 16-Ounce Stainless Steel AeroLight Transit Bottle$30

Owala FreeSip 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Available at Target in five exclusive, summer-ready color combinations, this 16-ounce Owala water bottle has two layers of insulation to keep drinks cold for hours. Grab yours to join over 5,000 customers who bought this bottle in the last month.

Stanley 30-Ounce Stainless Steel H2.0 FlowState Quencher Tumbler

Stanley cups are a fan-favorite — this editor-loved model sold 9,000 times at Target last month. Use the dual spout to sip from a straw or directly from the lid. Get yours in black, white, or rose quartz (light pink).

Best Small Appliances for Tailgating

Just because you’re far away from your oven doesn’t mean you have to settle for cold sandwiches or lukewarm dips. Versatile small appliances make it possible to fry, grill, bake, and sauté all your favorite recipes from a parking lot or backyard. Below, grab portable slow cookers, panini presses, and even a mini pizza oven.

• Ninja Crispi 4‑in‑1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System$180
• KitchenSmith Nonstick Electric Skillet$20
• Bella Fold & Store Dual Temp Griddle$60
• Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven$200
• Crock‑Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker$60
• Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker$90
• Hamilton Beach Panini Press & Nonstick Indoor Grill$50
• Dash Pizza Griddle$40
• Bella 4-Quart Slim Air Fryer$50
• Ninja Foodi 8-Quart DualZone 2‑Basket Air Fryer$160
• Instant Pot 6-Quart 9‑in‑1 Pressure Cooker Bundle$100
• Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4‑in‑1$130

Ninja Crispi 4‑in‑1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

Designed for taking food on the go, the editor-loved Ninja Crispi has two interchangeable bases that convert into portable, leakproof storage containers. That means your wings can go from the air fryer to the picnic table seamlessly.

KitchenSmith Nonstick Electric Skillet

No stovetop, no problem. Simply plug the KitchenSmith electric skillet into a nearby outlet, then use it to sauté, simmer, fry, and more. Its ceramic nonstick coating is easy to wipe clean, and the lid is dishwasher-safe.