Best Summer Tailgaiting Events in Sports

Tailgating and sports just go together so well.

The pregame, parking-lot party is an integral part of the whole experience: Firing up the grill, downing a few cold ones, tossing a ball around with your buddies in the stadium parking lot. It just seems to make sports better, like a perfect appetizer to the entree that is the live event. 

And because spring and summer are upon us, it's the perfect time to be outside and partake in such a wonderful activity. Sure, football tailgating is epic, but you know what isn't: Freezing your tail off. So enjoy some sunshine at these events, the 10 best to tailgate while the weather's good. 

Indy 500

Have you ever seen the infield at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? It's huge. Contains-a-dang-golf-course huge. Hundreds of thousands of people show up for this annual celebration of speed, and as such, there's partying to be done. 

Not only is tailgating encouraged, but you've got plenty of other options besides just grilling up hot dogs and busting out a boom-box. With an event of this scale, you'd expect more—and Indy delivers with its self-dubbed "Party Scene," even if Danica isn't showing up for 2012. 

US Open (Golf)

B/R's San Francisco based, as is the 2012 US Open. With this delightful bit of serendipity, we can tell you The City is a rather fun place to get your pre-party on before heading to one of golf's greatest events.

So, aside from the traditional tailgating fare, you've got a place with awesome neighborhoods that know how to have fun. Good people. Good bars. Good restaurants. It's a perfect combo before heading over to The Olympic Club to catch Tiger, Rory, Phil and company. 

US Open (Tennis)

Tailgate tennis? Why not, especially if you can loop it all into a night out in NYC. Hey, if you play your cards right, you may even be able to catch a Mets game and tennis on the same day, as both Flushing Meadows and Citi Field are located in Queens and are subway friendly.

Go to a bodega, grab some food and drinks, kick it in Queens, watch some tennis, then head back to Manhattan and enjoy a city where last call doesn't ring out until 4 a.m.

Winning combination. 

UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

What you see here is just one awesome image from the pool at the MGM Grand's pool complex. Here's some more. Yes, it's that epic. Coincidentally, the UFC 146 just happens to be held inside the Casino, making this possibly the best tailgate location ever. 

Parking lots are cool. San Francisco and New York bars are better. But a Vegas pool? In the summer? With an awesome UFC card just footsteps away? Yeah, this wins for sure. 

Belmont Stakes

This gentleman seems to be having a good time at the third leg of the triple crown, and so can you. There's something so fun about attending horse racing, and my experience comes from places not nearly as nice or prestigious as this legendary event. 

This is the place where many a triple crown hopeful have had their hopes dashed. Horses fall victim to the track's longer-than-Kentucky-and-Preakness distance, but none of that will take away from having a great time tailgating. 

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Pepsi 400

Don't scoff. Really, don't.

Ever been to a NASCAR race? Don't knock it before you've tried it, because it's legitimately one of the most fun events that you can attend. Everybody is tailgating. Before, during, and after the entire race. 

People tailgate all weekend, and if you didn't know, you can just bring in food and drinks like it's no big deal. No worrying about overpaying for hot dogs and beer, because you can run to the supermarket before the green flag drops and grab your own with club-card prices. 

And of all NASCAR races at which to tailgate, you can't go wrong with Daytona (the sport's most legendary track) during the July 4th weekend. And yes, there's fireworks. 

MLB All-Star Weekend

Kansas City's a fun town, and the fact it's hosting the MLB All-Star game this year makes it even better.

Personally, I'd want to tailgate the home-run derby. Going to that event live wouldn't only be epic, but being there in person means I wouldn't have to watch it on TV, and if I didn't have to watch it on TV, I'd be freed from Chris Berman yelling "back, back, back..." for four hours. 

That's a victory right there. Plus, you'd get to tailgate Kauffman Stadium. That place is seriously underrated. 

Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship

Why not eat hot dogs before attending a hot-dog eating contest? In theory, it's the most logical event on this list. Going to an event like this would be purely out of fun—no worrying about how your team will play, etc.—and you could just take the subway back to Manhattan after it's done. 

Plus, you could incorporate Coney Island into your tailgate plans. Riding The Cyclone—though scary as all you-know-what—is just way too fun to pass up. 

NFL Hall of Fame Game

Regular-season football doesn't really qualify as summer, but this event is on August 5, so we'll totally take it. Plus, how awesome would it be to tailgate not only a football game, but the Pro Football HOF ceremony itself? 

I've always wanted to pay a visit to Canton, and there isn't a better time to do so than this week. Plus, as a fan of awkwardness, the Saints are playing in this game. Drama makes everything better—even tailgate parties. 

Your Favorite Event

A lame slide? Well too bad, because it's the truth. You don't have to go to these big, expensive events to enjoy tailgating. 

Why not tailgate your son's little league game? How about a softball game? Or a swim meet? Sure, why not. Grilling makes everything more fun. 

But if you just have to go pro, do it. We're all fans of different MLB teams, but the result is the same. I tailgate Giants games, and fans in Philly have just as much fun outside Citizens Bank Park. So pick an event, any event, and make it the one that's a can't miss of the summer.