Katie Ann Lehman
Contact Katie Ann Lehman by Email View all posts by Katie Ann Lehman September 9, 2026
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The wait is over—football is back, and there’s just something about the start of a new season that makes fall feel even more exciting. The games, the rivalries, the traditions, the food and the excuse to spend an entire weekend watching football with family and friends—it’s one of my favorite times of year.
Football is especially big in our family. My brother played and now coaches in the NFL, so it has always been a pretty big part of our lives. My husband and I also have our own rivalry with both of our alma maters in the Big 12; we naturally keep a running tally of wins when they play each other.
We also love being outside whenever the weather cooperates, which makes watching football in the backyard one of our favorite ways to spend a weekend. There’s something about having the game on, the grill going, cold drinks in hand and everyone hanging out outside that just feels like fall.
With the right setup, you can turn your backyard into the perfect spot to watch the game without dealing with parking lots, traffic or packing up half the house. Here are the essentials I’m using to make our football weekends at home even better.
Best Tailgate Food & Grilling Essentials
Best Grill Blackstone Griddle with Hood
$499.00
Buy Now at BlackstoneWe finally jumped on the Blackstone bandwagon this year, and I totally get the hype now. It has quickly become our go-to for everything from smash burgers to breakfast, and honestly, I’m not sure how we hosted football weekends without it.
Best Meat Delivery Porter Road
Subscribe Now at porter RoadHigh-quality meat delivered straight to your door? Sign me up. Meat from Porter Road is a little football-season luxury that makes hosting a whole lot easier. Stock the fridge, skip the grocery store run and let the grill do the heavy lifting.
HexClad BBQ Bundle
Buy Now at HexClad $469
The HexClad BBQ Bundle has pretty much everything you need to handle game-day grilling. The carving board is heavy-duty with a stainless-steel tray to catch all the jus. And let me just say: this knife is sharp! Like sharp, sharp.
Quick Service DoorDash
shop Now at DoordashRun out of plastic cups? Need an extra folding chair? Missing an ingredient for your dip? DoorDash has you covered. And football Saturdays just got more rewarding with DoorDash Streaks. Order $20+ on qualifying Saturdays in September to unlock deals and get entered to win a new Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat or one of 1,000 $250 DoorDash gift cards. Keep the streak going all season for a shot at a $757,500 grand prize, plus a year’s supply of Dr Pepper.
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Katie Ann Lehman Grill Guru Meater Pro
$99.95 $129.95 23% off
Buy Now on meaterThe Meater Pro takes the guesswork out of grilling, which is especially helpful when you’re cooking for a crowd. I can keep tabs on the meat without constantly lifting the lid, checking the temperature or hoping for the best.
BEST ROLLING COOLER BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
$399.99
Buy Now at BrumateI love that this BrüTank is more than just a cooler. The built-in tap, all-terrain wheels and padded bench top make it incredibly handy for football weekends, and with room for 48 cans, I can load it up once and actually enjoy the party instead of making trips back to the fridge.
Festive Serving Tray NFL Football Party Tray
Buy Now at Target $19.99
This party tray is one of those Target finds that makes game-day hosting way more fun. It’s perfect for loading up with wings, dips, veggies or whatever snacks you’re serving—and the football shape is doing a lot of the decorating for you.
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Best Tailgate TVs & Streaming
best WEATHERPROOF TV Sylvox Outdoor TV
$1,699+
Buy Now at SylvoxThe centerpiece of every successful watch party begins and ends with your TV setup. Why not take your viewing outdoors? The Sylvox Outdoor TV delivers a clear, vibrant picture even in full sun, and its weatherproof design stands up to rain and humidity — perfect for backyard game-day viewing.
best Streaming deal For CFB Sling TV
$199 $380 48% off
Get Sling TV Season PassUpgrade your game-day viewing with Sling TV’s five-month Orange + Blue Season Pass, now just $199.99 for the season. If you’d rather go month to month, the Sling Essentials + Select bundle is $34.99 a month and includes ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, FS1 and more, giving you plenty of ways to catch the action all season long.
BEst Outdoor BLUETOOTH SPEAKER Sonos Play
$299
Buy Now at sonosThis portable powerhouse of a speaker delivers deep, 360-degree sound that gets impressively loud, filling any space from kickoff to the final whistle. Its durable, water-resistant design and long-lasting rechargeable battery make it perfect for tailgates and backyard parties alike.
Best-looking tv Sony BRAVIA 7 II True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini
$1,699.99 $2,599.99 35% off
Buy Now at Best BuyFor indoor viewing from the comfort of your couch, you might as well have a TV that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the stadium. The Sony BRAVIA 7 II delivers seriously sharp 4K HDR picture quality, so you can actually see every play clearly.
Best Tailgate Backyard Games & Party Vibs
Best Game BucketGolf
$179.99
Buy Now On AmazonBucketGolf is a backyard game that gets everyone involved, even the people who swear they’re “not really golf people.” It’s easy to set up, surprisingly competitive and a fun way to give everyone something to do during commercials.
best fire pit Ninja Fireside360 Outdoor Fire Pit
$499.99
Buy Now at NinjaSmokeless, powerful, and easy to move, the Ninja Fireside360 spreads heat and light in every direction. It sets the tone for backyard tailgates, evening games, and late-night hangouts.
Barsys 360 Cocktail Maker Machine
Buy Now On Amazon $375.00
The Barsys 360 Cocktail Maker is basically having a bartender on standby without actually having to hire one. It mixes up cocktails at the push of a button, so you can keep the drinks flowing while you focus on the game—and your guests.
Best Fan Jerseys & Game-Day Gear
Best Vintage Style HOMAGE
shop Now at HomageHOMAGE has some of the most fun game-day gear, especially if you’re into their NFL collaborations with brands like Hello Kitty, Starter and The Simpsons. It’s team spirit with a little more personality—and I’m always here for that.
Best Jerseys Nike
shop Now at NikeWhen it comes to jerseys, I usually go straight to Nike. They have all the teams and players you could want, so it’s an easy way to show up on game day fully committed to your team—whether they’re winning or ruining your afternoon.
Most Comfortable TravisMathew
shop Now at TravisMathewTravisMathew’s game-day collection is perfect if you want to rep your team without looking like you’re headed straight to the student section. I’m a big fan of their polos and hats
