How To Pack The Perfect Tailgate Cooler
Keep Drinks Cold & Food Fresh All Game Day
With the right techniques and a high-performance cooler like a YETI® Tundra® or Roadie® Hard Cooler, or Hopper® Soft Cooler, you can master the art of tailgate cooler packing and keep your crew fueled all day long.
Step 1: Choose the Right Cooler for Your Tailgate
Not all coolers are built the same, and the type of tailgate you’re hosting will determine the best YETI® Cooler for the job.
Best YETI® Coolers for Tailgating:
YETI® Roadie® 48 & 60 Wheeled Coolers
Why?
Perfect for easy transport in crowded stadium parking lots.
YETI® Tundra® 45 & 65 Hard Cooler
Why?
Best for large tailgates, keeping drinks and food ice-cold for hours.
YETI® Hopper Flip® 18, Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler, and Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler
Why?
Makes carrying your goods to the group more convenient and fits more easily in a packed trunk.
Pro Tip: Pre-chill your YETI® Cooler by filling it with ice overnight or a few hours before packing to extend ice retention.
Step 2: Use the Right Ice Strategy
To keep everything cold for the entire game, you need the right ice setup. Check out this article on maximizing ice retention.
Best Ice Combination for Tailgating:
- Block Ice + YETI® Ice Block or YETI® Ice Sheet: Lasts longer and melts slower.
- Cubed Ice: Ideal for quick cooling and filling gaps.
- Frozen Water Bottles: Dual-purpose—keeps drinks cold and provides extra hydration later.
Pro Tip: We recommend a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio.
Step 3: Pack Your Cooler in the Right Order
The way you pack your tailgate cooler matters. It ensures that drinks stay cold, food stays fresh, and you’re not constantly digging through melted ice for a lost beverage.
How to Pack Your Tailgate Cooler for Maximum Efficiency:
We suggest following this order, from the bottom of the cooler up:
Bottom
- YETI® Ice Block, YETI® Ice Sheet or block ice
- Frozen meats (burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings)
- Wet, cubed ice
Middle
- Dips (guacamole, queso, salsa)
- Pre-made sandwiches or wraps in hard containers, like YETI® Food Storage.
- Cheese, deli meats, condiments
- Wet, cubed ice
Top
- Canned beverages to one side
- Pre-cut fruit, chips, and other quick snacks to other side
- (Use YETI® Food Storage so goods are not smashed)
- Use the cooler basket to keep fruit and veggies off the ice
- More cubed, wet ice filling in any gaps
Pro Tip: Use a cooler divider and cooler basket (included with most Tundra® Hard Cooler sizes) to keep organized. Use separate coolers for drinks and food to prevent constant opening and temperature fluctuations. For additional storage, the SideKick Dry can be attached to Soft Coolers or the Camino® Tote Bag.
Step 4: Keep Your Cooler Cold for the Whole Tailgate
Tips for Maximum Ice Retention:
- Keep the cooler in the shade and off hot asphalt.
- Avoid opening the lid frequently—grab multiple drinks at once.
- Drain melted ice water only when necessary (it helps keep drinks cold).
- Store drinks in a YETI® Hopper® Flip Soft Cooler while the main cooler stays shut.
Pro Tip: Use YETI® Ice — it’s scientifically developed to help your regular ice stay frozen longer
Step 5: Store & Serve Drinks the Smart Way
Tailgating is all about cold drinks on demand. Here’s how to make sure your beer, seltzers, and sodas are always ice-cold:
- Pre-chill beverages overnight before putting them in the cooler.
- For easy mobility, use the YETI® Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler to roll drinks from car to tent.
- Use YETI® Tundra 65 if you’re tailgating with a large group—it holds up to 42 cans with ice.
- For carrying a smaller selection of drinks to the group, use a YETI® Hopper Flip® 18, Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler, or Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler.
Pro Tip: Add a YETI Tank® for grab-and-go beer chilling, and use a Tundra® Hard Cooler or YETI® Roadie Hard Cooler for keeping food cold. YETI® Soft Coolers are also great for carrying drinks to share with others in the tailgate area.
Step 6: Keep Your Tailgate Food Safe
Tailgating often involves meat, dairy, and dips — all of which need to stay cold to avoid foodborne illness.
How to Keep Tailgate Food Fresh & Safe:
Keep the cooler in the shade and off hot asphalt.
- Store raw meat separately in vacuum-sealed or leak-proof bags.
- Keep unopened condiments in a YETI® LoadOut® GoBox to prevent spills.
- Use separate tongs & utensils for raw and cooked foods.
- Keep perishable dips on ice until serving.
Pro Tip: Serve food in small batches so everything stays cold instead of sitting out in the sun.
Why YETI® Coolers Are Perfect for Tailgating
YETI® Hard Coolers aren’t just for camping and hunting — they’re built for serious fans who want maximum ice retention, durability, and convenience while tailgating. YETI® Soft Coolers are also excellent choices for tailgating, offering portability and comfortable carry.
- YETI® Roadie® 48 Wheeled Cooler or YETI® Roadie® 60 Wheeled Cooler – Easy transport from car to tailgate setup.
- YETI® Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler or YETI® Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler – Keeps food & drinks cold all game long.
- YETI Tank® 85 Hard Cooler - Perfect for easy access to drinks without frequently opening a cooler with perishables that need to be kept properly cold.
- YETI® Hopper Flip® 18, Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler, and Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler – Provide convenient carrying options.
Whether you’re tailgating for college football or even a backyard BBQ, YETI® Coolers help you tailgate like a pro.
Final Thoughts
A perfect tailgate cooler setup ensures that your food stays fresh, your drinks stay cold, and your tailgate runs smoothly from kickoff to final whistle.
By choosing the right YETI® Cooler, packing it smart, and following key food safety tips, you’ll keep everything cold, fresh, and party-ready—no matter how long the game lasts.
So, next time you’re prepping for a big tailgate, grab your YETI® Cooler, pack it right, and enjoy the ultimate game-day experience!
