All products and services featured are independently selected by Forbes Vetted contributors and editors. When you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more

It doesn't matter if you're about to watch the big game or your kid's youth soccer match; if you're going to tailgate and want to make it memorable for you and yours, you need more than just some tailgate food. For a tailgate party to remember, you need to need to make sure you have the right gear and accessories.

Grill? Check. Cooler? Check? Sports loving friends? Check. Here's what you need to tailgate with ... [+] ease.

While sporting matches only last a few hours, tailgating often stretches across most of the day. And once you're there, you probably won't be able to leave, so it's crucial to pack everything you need before hitting the road. Be sure to pack enough food and beverages (as well as plates, cups and utensils) for everyone, along with creature comforts like chairs, a sizable cooler and a way to evade the sun (or, if you’re less lucky, the rain). But all that's just the starting point. We're here to help you make the most of your tailgate with everything you need for success. Read on for ten of our favorite tailgating essentials.

Tailgating and grilling are two words that can almost be used interchangeably. What's exciting about this offering from Magma is how portable (it's only 26 pounds) and customizable it is. At its simplest, it's a cookstove that can be powered by either one-pound propane cylinders or 20-pound tanks. That alone is good for grilling brats and burgers, but if you really want to be the Master Chef, the brand offers add-ons that allow you to transform the stove into a grill, pizza oven, griddle, or plancha. Thanks to machine washable fold-out food prep tables and a grease collection drawer that uses disposable aluminum foil liners, it's also easy to clean.

When you're working over a fire, plastic cutlery isn't going to cut it, so it's worth acquiring a dedicated set of grilling utensils. With a spatula, spoon, scissors, knives and more, this option should cover most of your cooking needs. It even includes a compact cutting board. The kit is also compact, so you'll likely be able to stow it in your stove’s carrying bag, reducing the errata you need to haul around.

Sure, you could pull your burgers from the Costco packaging, slap them on the grill, cook them to 160 degrees and serve as is. They'll probably be fine. But if you really want to make them sing, consider jazzing the patties up with an all-purpose seasoning during the cooking process. With salt, black pepper, rosemary, cayenne pepper, garlic and lemon, this spice mix gives beef (and chicken, pork and veggies) a nice little punch of flavor. The brand offers 22 other rubs and spices and seven sauce options, so there are plenty of options for whatever's going on the grill.  For example, don’t miss trying the Pork Perfect pork rub or the Messy Beard molasses BBQ sauce.

If you're tailgating in a notably cold locale (looking at you, Green Bay), or you're closing in on the tail end of the football season, it's worth having a couple of blankets on hand to stay warm. Rumpl makes warm, durable and weather-proof blankets branded for each NFL team. It also comes with a cape clip, so you can wear it while playing yard games and socializing. And provided it's not in its stuff sack, you're generally allowed to bring the blanket into stadiums. And if you’re tailgating the Superbowl, Rumpl has you covered in a puffy blanket whether you are rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals or the Los Angeles Rams.

Whether the sky is blisteringly hot or dumping freezing rain on you, you're going to want a place to sit or stand that's out of the elements. We're partial to this Stoic canopy. Measuring 10 x 10 feet, it's large enough for a carload or two of people to hang out underneath (along with all your food and gear). It's also quick to set up, stable and comes with a wheeled carrying bag for easy transport.

There's no shortage of incredible adult beverages you can pair with your pre-game experience, but this one is in a league of its own for one unique reason: Rather than a glass bottle, it comes in a metal can. Not only does that make a statement, but it's extra clever because you won't have to worry about it breaking if a game of catch gets a little too rowdy, or your clumsy buddy accidentally knocks it off the table. Beyond their flagship whiskey, Stillhouse also makes a Black Bourbon, an Apple Crisp Whiskey, a Peach Tea Whiskey, a Spice Cherry Whiskey, and a Classic Vodka.

Often at tailgates, you'll see groups unloading bulky folding tables. While tables are essential for setting out your plates, utensils, cups, drinks and foodstuffs (and maybe for providing your guests a place to put their plate other than their lap), those tables take up a lot of precious cargo space. Instead, consider this camp table from Stoic. The fold-up top and collapsible legs make it packable and easy to transport—a brilliant solution for a tailgate party.

A sturdy cooler is crucial for keeping your perishable foods at a safe temperature and your beers frosty. Yeti boasts that this cooler is large enough to hold an elk, so surely it'll be roomy enough to handle your group's snack and beverage needs. If you're tight on space (at nearly 46 inches long, this cooler is really only appropriate for a truck), we recommend opting for two smaller, stackable coolers (one for food, one for drinks) instead.

We know it's not the lightest or the most compact, but we'd argue KingCamp is worth the extra cargo space because of its design. It's super sturdy (able to hold up to 330 pounds) and comfortable enough for everyone from your wiggly five-year-old nephew to your achy octogenarian grandmother to use. It also comes with a handy folding side table for resting plates and beverages on one side and a bag for storing purses or a small cooler in on the other.

Is this a little excessive? Oh, absolutely. The base price is $13,715, but check boxes for all the extras and you’ve got $17,562 worth of tailgating goodness (and you get a t-shirt). But if you're the kind of person who takes tailgating seriously, the Taxa Kammok is the Holy Grail of outdoor go-anywhere grilling. This fully equipped travel trailer doubles as a ready-made tailgating home base. Looking to make brats and burgers? It has a full-size outdoor kitchen. Want to stay out of the elements? Order it with the six-foot awning included. Kids want to relax out of the sun (or someone needs to sleep off going too hard, too early)? There's a rooftop tent for that. There are also multiple storage systems, a pull-out cooler drawer, and a hammock post.