Any American sports fan knows that watching a game is a day-long affair, with celebrations starting hours before kickoff. Yet despite being a staple of the sport experience, America’s beloved social tradition—tailgating—might be starting to look different.
According to a recent study by Talker Research, around 39% of those surveyed preferred “homegating” over tailgating, bringing food and the social aspect of the tradition to one’s homes.
While less than half prefer staying at home, that doesn’t mean everyone else actually is heading to the stadium parking lot either. In fact, according to the survey, only 24% of respondents prefer tailgating a game outside of the stadium.
Still, most agree that the fun of watching sports extends beyond the actual game, with 61% of respondents saying they prefer pregaming over the actual game, while 68% keep the party going after the game.
The shift in popularity in favor of the home seems to be attributed to people increasingly looking for comfort, flexibility, and wider food options.
“Homegating includes all the comforts of home: every appliance at your fingertips, plenty of food, and an open invitation for friends and family to join in, it’s the perfect place to gather for the big game,” retail chef Amy Forbis told Hormel Foods, who commissioned the survey.
Staying at home also had the added perk of allowing individuals to control the nutritional contents of their meals, an appealing element for those looking for high-protein meals in the Ozempic era.
The survey revealed that around 64% are prioritizing protein more than in the past, with the most popular dishes including high protein meals like pulled BBQ, hamburgers, hotdogs, and meat and cheese trays.
Other popular offerings also align with what individuals are looking for in a sports day experience: spending time with friends and family. For instance, other common dishes include pizza and chips, as it allows the host to be social during the event, rather than preparing food throughout the day.
Forbis added, “Game day is meant to be spent with friends watching the game instead of working in the kitchen.”