Football Season Is Nearly Here...

The grills aren't fired up just yet, but American football season is right around the corner, and that means one thing...

Tailgating season is coming too.

So now is the time to start thinking about what you'll be serving when game day arrives.

Because while America has tailgating down to an art, we think there's plenty of room on that grill for a little British influence.

Sausages? Absolutely.

Sausage rolls? Obviously.

A few British snacks and sauces on the side?

Now we're talking.

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Football vs Football

First, we should probably clear something up.

Say football in Britain and we're thinking 90 minutes, a round ball, goalposts and plenty of shouting at the referee.

Say football in America and it's helmets, touchdowns, field goals and a very different shaped ball.

The games might not have much in common, but the fans certainly do.

Both sides of the Atlantic understand that watching football is about much more than the match itself. It's gathering with friends, supporting your team, debating every decision and, perhaps most importantly, having something good to eat while you do it.

And that's where tailgating comes in.

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What Is Tailgating?

For our British readers who might be wondering why Americans are eating dinner in a car park, tailgating is one of the great traditions surrounding American football.

Before a game, fans gather in stadium car parks with grills, coolers, tables, games and plenty of food.

What began as a simple pre-game gathering has developed into a huge part of American football culture.

Burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings and barbecue are all tailgating staples, but there are no rules saying the menu has to stop there.

Which got us thinking...

What happens when British food meets an American tailgate?

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Bring a British Twist to Your Tailgate

You don't need to reinvent game-day food. You just need to give a few favourites a British upgrade.

And the easiest place to start is with the sausages.

British Sausages on the Grill

A proper British banger feels completely at home on an American grill.

Whether you prefer Cumberland, Lincolnshire, Classic, Old English or Pork & Leek, cook them on the barbecue and tuck them into soft rolls.

Then set out the toppings and let everyone build their own.

Try:

• Caramelised onions
• English mustard
• HP Sauce
• Branston Pickle
• Mature Cheddar
• Piccalilli

It's familiar enough for an American tailgate but unmistakably British.

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Build a British Banger Bar

If you're feeding a crowd, turn those sausages into a British Banger Bar.

Grill several different sausage flavours, pile up the rolls and put all the sauces and toppings in the middle of the table.

Everyone can choose their sausage and build their own roll.

It's easy, sociable and means you're not stuck assembling food while everyone else is enjoying themselves.

And, naturally, there will be arguments over which sausage is best.

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Don't Forget the Sausage Rolls

There aren't many occasions that can't be improved by a sausage roll.

Tailgating is certainly not one of them.

Cut sausage rolls into smaller portions and you've got an easy game-day snack that people can pick up and eat without needing plates or cutlery.

Serve them alongside English mustard, HP Sauce or Branston Pickle for dipping.

They're also brilliant if you're watching the game at home rather than heading to the stadium.

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More British Tailgating Food Ideas

You don't have to stop at sausages.

Add a few more British favourites and you can put together an entire game-day spread.

Pork pies are made for sharing. Cut them into wedges and serve cold with mustard or Branston Pickle.

Scotch eggs are another brilliant handheld option. Slice them into halves or quarters and add them to your game-day board.

British crisps require absolutely no preparation. Open the bags, put them in bowls and watch everyone argue about the best flavour.

And for something a little more substantial, Cornish pasties and meat pies make excellent half-time food.

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Tailgating at Home Counts Too

No stadium ticket? No problem.

The same idea works brilliantly for watching football at home.

Fire up the grill, invite a few people over and put together a British-inspired spread before kickoff.

You can even make it a Football vs Football party. British football food on one side, American football favourites on the other.

Bangers vs hot dogs.

Sausage rolls vs wings.

Pork pies vs sliders.

Although we're probably slightly biased about which table we'd visit first.

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Get Game-Day Ready Before Kickoff

Football season might not have started quite yet, but that's exactly why we're talking about it now.

A good tailgate takes a little planning, particularly when you want something more interesting than the usual burgers and hot dogs.

Stock the freezer, choose your sausages, get the rolls sorted and make sure there's plenty of HP Sauce and English mustard ready to go.

Then, when the first proper game weekend arrives, all that's left to do is fire up the grill.

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Bring Britain to American Football

American tailgating and British food might come from opposite sides of the Atlantic, but they make a surprisingly good team.

Proper British sausages sizzling on the grill, sausage rolls ready for sharing, pork pies on the table and plenty of British sauces and snacks alongside them.

So this football season, bring something a little different to the tailgate.

Bring a British twist to American football. 🇬🇧🏈

SHOP BRITISH GAME-DAY FAVOURITES

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is tailgating?

Tailgating is an American pre-game tradition where fans gather outside a stadium, often in the car park, to eat, drink, grill and socialise before a sporting event. It is particularly associated with American football.

What foods are good for tailgating?

Food that is easy to grill, share and eat by hand works particularly well. Sausages, burgers, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, pork pies, crisps and sandwiches are all good options.

Can you grill British sausages?

Yes. British sausages are excellent on the grill. Cook them thoroughly over a moderate heat, turning regularly so they cook evenly without burning on the outside.

What British food can I serve for an American football game?

British sausages in rolls, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, pork pies, Cornish pasties, British crisps and traditional sauces such as HP Sauce and English mustard all work brilliantly for game day.