When in Louisiana what gets the heart racing like a hot pot of gumbo and what makes everyone get face painting and don costumes when it's not even Carnival? What rouses the locals out of bed at the crack of dawn?! Two words: Louisiana football!

Whether it’s the Who Dat Nation proudly cheering on the New Orleans Saints, or the passionate fans rooting for their college teams, Louisiana knows how to party, and they know how to tailgate! And it's an experience not to be missed!

The Saints, New Orleans

• Did You Know: Caesar’s Superdome is home to the New Orleans Saints and hosts the College Football Championship Game, the famous Bayou Classic Game held each November, the Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl held in January plus they recently hosted the Super Bowl LIX in 2025. With a seating capacity of 76,468, this stadium is a great spot to catch a game between the Saints and their most famed opponents, like the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers.
• Tailgater’s Tip: Champion’s Square is a 60,000-square-foot outdoor plaza right outside the Superdome that can accommodate as many as 8,000 fans. Get your fill of great food and beverages from local eateries, with live, pre-game concerts. There are also two clubs right off Champions Square with food and drink specials in a more relaxed atmosphere.  
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Port Orleans Brewing Company has plenty of tasty craft beers, plus an onsite restaurant, Avo Taco, that serves up delicious tacos to soak up any alcohol from a long day of tailgating.

Tulane University, New Orleans

• Mascot: Green Wave/Riptide the Pelican 
• Did You Know: Yulman Stadium is home to Tulane Green Wave football and is located on the university's Uptown campus in New Orleans. This stadium features two elevated club decks with several bars and over 30,000 seats. Catch a home game for a chance to see the Tulane University Marching Band in action and to witness the antics of Riptide the Pelican, the school’s mascot. Top rivalries include those between Green Wave and the LSU Tigers, as well as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
• Tailgater’s Tip: It’s beer and wine only, there’s no hard liquor allowed here! Additionally, tailgate games like beer pong are prohibited on campus, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself. Stop by and “pregame” at one of the many local bars nearby before making your way to the tailgate.  
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Just a few minutes away from Tulane’s campus is Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge. Yes – you heard that right! A dive bar that’s Christmas-themed all year round!

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

• Mascot: Tigers
• Did You Know: LSU's most recent live tiger mascot, Mike VII arrived to his state-of-the-art habitat right on campus on 21th August, 2017 at just 11 months old. Visitors can pay a visit to Mike and see him splashing in the water, playing with his ball or taking a snooze.
• Tailgater’s Tip: Find a spot along North Stadium Drive, also known as Victory Hill, and watch the Golden Band from Tigerland march to the stadium while playing “Hold That Tiger.” The team also walks down Victory Hill, a tradition that began in the early 1990s.
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar is located around the corner to the LSU stadium and their tailgates and post-game concerts are not to be missed. They've also been named ESPN’s No. 1 Sports Bar in America. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette

• Mascot: Ragin’ Cajuns 
• Did You Know: The Ragin’ Cajun football field is two feet below sea level in a natural bowl. The nickname “The Swamp,” was acquired in 1988 - appropriate because the original football field was next to the Cypress Lake adjacent to the Student Union and give the area's natural abundance of swamps and wetlands.
• Tailgater’s Tip: Find your way to the tailgate of the Krewe de Chew and take notes on how these pros do game day. Introduce yourself and they’ll surely feed you too! Recipes for a few of their made-from-scratch dishes can be found on their website, so you can relive the happy memories at home.
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Pete’s has been serving locals, visitors and sports fans since 1968. Featuring over 30 TVs and an arcade for the kids - there's entertainment for everyone.

Louisiana Tech University, Ruston

• Mascot: Bulldogs 
• Tailgater’s Tip: Fans can avoid game-day traffic by parking downtown and taking advantage of the Tech Trolley. This shuttle service will take you to and from Joe Aillet Stadium for tailgating activities and the game as they run continuously each hour, completely free of charge! Fans always can get to the stadium early for tailgating in Bulldog Village. Located right outside the Joe Aillet Stadium, this interactive fan zone includes live music on the Experience Ruston stage, open tailgates, vendors, autograph signing, free food, activities for the kids and more. 
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Dawg House Sports Grill is a family-friendly establishment owned by Louisiana Tech alumni that exudes the Bulldog spirit.

Northwestern State University, Natchitoches

• Mascot: Demons 
• Did You Know: When the Demons take on Stephen F. Austin Jacks each year, the teams battle for Chief Caddo, the largest trophy in college football. Named for the Caddo Indian tribe that settled the area, Chief Caddo is 7 feet, 6 inches tall and 320 pounds.
• Tailgater’s Tip: Demon Alley tailgating is very popular! It’s the site of Vic’s Fun Zone, which has inflatable games and other entertainment for kids. The Collins Family Pavilion has picnic-style seating and big screens so you can check on other teams on game day. 
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Papa's Bar & Grill on Front Street offers great steaks, cold beer, and a prime location along the Cane River….what more could you ask for!

University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe

• Mascot: Warhawks
• Did You Know: The Warhawk mascot is a nod to the area’s historical connection to the P-40 “Warhawk” airplane flown by General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers of World War II. Chennault made his home in Monroe after the war. You can visit the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe to learn more.
• Tailgater’s Tip: The Pecan Grove is a popular spot to set up for pregame festivities, and players walk through it to pump up the crowd. Don’t miss the Pecan Grove area, now even better equipped for the perfect tailgate scene around the stadium. 
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Fieldhouse Bar & Grill is a locally owned sports bar and restaurant with an atmosphere that any sports fan will love. 

Grambling State University, Grambling

• Mascot: Tigers 
• Did You Know: Leaving your seat at halftime would be a big mistake - the GSU Tiger Marching Band is known for putting on a high-stepping, exciting show so we advise you wait to get your hot dog and drink, or you’ll be sorry.
• Tailgater’s Tip: Take a tailgating timeout to visit the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. The coaching legend won 408 games at GSU and sent more than 200 players to the NFL. You can get there early on game day as it opens at 9 a.m. and then it closes two hours before kick-off.
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Just minutes from Grambling's campus, head to downtown Ruston for a nice selection of restaurants with beers, game-day eats and patio seating.

Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond

• Mascot: Lions 
• Did You Know: Friendship Circle is tailgating central at Southeastern, and home to the legendary Friendship Oak. Relax under it while showing off your best green and gold ensemble, meeting the coaches and athletes during Lion Walk 2.5 hours before game time, or enjoying a bowl of gumbo during the annual Gumbo Cook-Off - but be sure that whoever you choose to share the experience with is someone special; according to the myth, kiss someone under Friendship Oak’s branches and you will end up marrying them! 
• Tailgater’s Tip:  In addition to dozens of organisations and vendor booths on site ready to welcome you, you can also stop by the Student Union for a pre-game meal. After kick-off, those 21 and over can sit back and enjoy adult beverages in Strawberry Stadium while cheering on the Lions.
• Where to Celebrate a Victory: Historic Downtown Hammond is only a few blocks from Southeastern’s campus and home to several great restaurants.

Full article and more tailgating tips here: Louisiana Football Tailgating Tips or email louisiana@deep-south-usa.com