If you’ve been around here long enough, you know that football season is about more than just the game. It’s the food, the camaraderie, the outfits, and the social events that revolve around gameday. This season, I will be attending a few college games, along with a couple of NFL games that are still up in the air while I try to figure out my schedule. When it comes to planning these trips, my main question lately has been: What time is the game? Because these days, the experience is about so much more than what happens on the field.
Tailgates vs. Kickoff Lunches
Football season is all about the tailgates, pre-game lunches, and post-game dinners. This is when you get to hang out and enjoy good company before everyone starts yelling at the referees (and maybe the drunk guy down the aisle, but I digress). People spend the entire off-season deciding which games deserve a tailgate and how they will host friends and family throughout the fall.
You all might not believe this, but I absolutely prefer a Kickoff Lunch over a tailgate. Honestly, it comes down to the weather. It’s simply too hot to stand outside eating ribs, drinking beer, and trying to have a good time. Personally, I just don’t want to be uncomfortable. In Texas and Oklahoma—where I do the majority of my football spectating—the chances of melting in the heat are extremely high. (And later in the season, it gets freezing!)
Enter pre-game and post-game meals. Indoor dining is quickly becoming my favorite way to celebrate. Whether it’s a designated alumni breakfast, a structured lunch, or just a casual meal with family and friends before or after kickoff, football season is about spending quality time with loved ones. And that time almost always involves food.
What Do I Wear?
Football season is a fashion show. We all know this to be true, and the SEC girlies have truly embraced it and turned it up a notvh.
“Dani, what are you gonna wear?!”
Back in the day, my answer involved wedges, boots, or something completely over-the-top. As I’ve gotten older, my outfit selection has become a no-brainer: What will keep me the most comfortable and the least fussy?
A nice hat to keep the sun out of my face, shorts and a tank, or a cute, lightweight dress to stay cool. Comfort is non-negotiable for my feet. Every now and then I’ll break out my boots, but for the most part, I’m wearing sneakers. My seats in Norman are up a ramp and a few stairs, and I still have to climb over my neighbors if I need to run to the restroom or grab a beverage. I’ve sat next to the same seatmates for a few years now, so it’s not too awkward, but it’s still an ordeal. These days, I prefer to let my accessories be the main event rather than a complicated outfit.
Wait, What Time Is the Game?
“Wait, what time is kickoff again?!”
Game times used to be the first thing I checked when buying tickets; now, it’s a miracle if I even know what day the game is on! I had every intention of attending the OU season opener, but in my defense, that game was moved to a Friday.
Anyway, who remembers when Kailee from The Sports Passport and I went to a Celtics game and arrived hours early because of a start-time mix-up? Yeah, we’ll never live that down. We had everything planned out: what we were wearing, where we were eating beforehand, and even which concessions snacks we were going to buy.
Kickoff time dictates everything else. It impacts both the outfit and the menu:
- Morning Kickoff (11:00 AM): A quick breakfast, followed by grazing at the concessions stand, is how I roll for early games.
- Afternoon Kickoff (2:30 PM): I am praying I don’t pass out in the stands, especially during early-season heatwaves.
- Evening Kickoff: The coveted night game! Fans can sleep in, enjoy a relaxed tailgate or restaurant lunch, and head to the stadium to cap off the night.
Unfortunately for me, Oklahoma loves to bless us with those 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM start times, so I am usually sweating no matter what.
It’s crucial to realize how much kickoff time controls your day. Each slot has its obvious pros and cons, but if your team gets stuck with a 2:30 PM kickoff on Saturday or 3:00 PM on Sunday, your entire day is the game. All you have time for is a quick breakfast beforehand or dinner reservations long after.
At the end of the day, football season is about so much more than the score. It’s the food, the style, and the thrill of the plan coming together.
So, tell me: Are you Team Tailgate or Team Luncheon? Do you dress up or dress down for gameday? And what is your ideal kickoff time?
Want to read something else from The Sports Brat? Check out more posts here.