Top 17+ Retro Photos of Tailgating at Its Finest

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

There’s something timeless about a good tailgate — the clink of bottles, the smell of charcoal in the air, and the buzz of pre-game (or pre-concert) excitement. But look back a few decades, and tailgating had an extra dose of charm. These weren’t curated Instagram moments; they were heartfelt gatherings built around community and love for the game.

These retro photos remind us that the best traditions don’t need upgrading — they should just embrace simplicity and a bit of nostalgia. 

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

12. Tailgate Keg (1950s)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

1. Pregaming Before ‘The Who’ Concert in Pittsburgh (Early 1980s), 2. Tailgating in a Full Suit at a Packers Game (Late 1970s), 3. Creatively Catching the All-Star Game in San Diego (1992), 4. Getting Hyped for Wrestlemania (1987), 5. New York Cosmos Fans Tailgating at Giants Stadium (1970s), 6. Tailgating at a ‘Genesis’ Concert, 7. Ringing in the Raiders’ Season Opener (1984), 8. Grilling at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (1977), 9. Throwing ‘Em Back at the Philadelphia Eagles Game (1983), 10. Tailgating at Shea Stadium After the Mets Won the World Series (1986), 11. Tailgating After a Dirt Bike Race Out in the Boondocks (1970s), 12. Tailgate Keg (1950s), 13. Going All Out for the Browns vs. Oilers Game (1988), 14. The Country Squire Was the Ultimate Picnic Ride (1960), 15. The Classiest Tailgate (1954), 16. There’s a Full Bar in the Trunk … (1980)

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