Tailgating is an American invention that has become a very popular activity before football matches. A tailgate party is an outdoor social event that is normally held in the parking lot near a sporting event. Think of a tailgate as an outdoor pre-game celebration. It is most often associated with American football, but the popularity of this kind of party has spread to other sports as well, including baseball, racing, and soccer.
Many fans look forward to preparing early and hanging out for hours before the game. Experienced tailgaters will make another meal after the game while they wait for the post-game traffic to clear. They take this time and enjoy the entire sporting day experience and celebrate the victory. Most tailgaters are very friendly and will let you try their food for free, even if you are a fan from a rival team. If you are respectful and friendly, they will be also, but expect some jokes between rivals.
Some people think of tailgating as equal to, or even more important than, the football game itself. There are groups of sports fans who never go into the actual event, choosing instead to stay in the parking lot and listening to the game on the radio or with large screen televisions that they have brought with them.
Comprehension
1) What is tailgating and where is it usually held?
2) What do many fans like to do before a game during tailgating?
3) Are tailgaters usually friendly to fans from rival teams?
Vocabulary
Match the words to the definition:
1) to be held
2) spread
3) look forward to
4) hang out
5) even if
6) instead
a) spending time relaxing with friends
b) to be excited about a future event
c) although, a contrasting connector
d) as an alternative to
e) extend to a bigger area
f) to take place, to have an event
Grammar highlights
Use plural form for countable nouns when speaking in general. DON’T use “the”
“The experienced tailgaters will avoid …”
When listing objects, never list more than 3 items, and never say “etc” or “…”
“…including baseball, racing, and soccer.”
“…including baseball, racing, soccer, etc…”
*This article was adapted from another article to make it more suitable for English learners. You can read the original article here.