It’s Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and the energy is electric. The campus is filled with crimson-clad fans, the smell of barbeque is in the air and roaring cheers can be heard alongside the brass section in the Million Dollar Band. At The University of Alabama, game day traditions run deep – and they continue to energize and inspire the next generation. Read on to learn more about what makes tailgating for the Crimson Tide so special.

Game Day Energy

On home game weekends, crowds flock to Tuscaloosa to experience the unique enthusiasm and intensity that Alabama football provides. 

“I’m always struck by the energy on game day,” says Dr. Rosalind Moore-Miller, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement. “Being on a college campus is a type of energy that keeps you young – and I feel like there’s always something new to learn from students.”

The Elephant Stomp is a beloved tailgating tradition that gets everyone on their feet. On the steps of the Gorgas Library, fans gather to listen to the Million Dollar Band, watch the Crimsonettes deliver a showstopping routine and maybe even high-five Big Al. The music usually includes the signature fight song, “Yea Alabama,” along with a preview of what’s to come at the halftime show.

Then, Coach DeBoer leads his team on the Walk of Champions, where fans have the opportunity to cheer on their favorite players up close. “Traditions like these are what keep fans coming back year after year,” says Moore-Miller.

Tents on the Quad

When it comes to Alabama tailgating, there’s perhaps no better place to be than on the Quad. On Saturdays, the green space is filled with a sea of tents, camping chairs, TVs, barbeques, games and a place to celebrate community. 

“People really like to stake out their spots early, on Fridays after 5 pm,” says Moore-Miller. 

While free tailgating is located on the west side of the Quad, the University’s tailgating service, Gameday Done Right, offers reserved tailgating spaces and equipment.

“The Quad on a Saturday is like a maze,” says Moore-Miller. “The criss-cross sidewalks make for an interesting way to travel and interact. People are moving around, sharing game day buttons and just enjoying the atmosphere on campus.”

Alabama tailgating extends far off the Quad as well – you’ll find plenty of fans supporting the Crimson Tide down University Boulevard and places adjacent to the stadium, although you have to arrive early to find an open spot.

Homecoming

While any game day in Tuscaloosa is going to bring energy and excitement, Homecoming boosts tailgating with even more engagement opportunities for fans.

One of the best places for fans to be is watching the action on the Quad Stage during Homecoming Week. “It’s really a performance like no other,” says Moore-Miller. “We have a choreography competition, dance competition between panhellenic sororities and a step show. These competitions are really about bragging rights, and so much preparation goes into them– from the music, costumes and set design, students work really hard and showcase their best.”

Spectators and fans love the Quad for Alabama Homecoming because it’s often the best vantage point for the parade – and the excitement is amplified by the meet-and-greet of the Grand Marshall, former players, and many other notable alumni. “Homecoming really ups the ante on our signature activities,” says Moore-Miller.

Passing Traditions to the Next Generation

One of the best components of Alabama tailgating is that fans continue to come back – and to bring their family and loved ones to share in the traditions with them.

For Rosalind Moore-Miller, game day really opened up how deep these traditions run and how tailgating continues to be multigenerational.

“I really think that before coming to UA, I had a limited understanding of how deep the connection and tradition between generations run here,” she explains. “When you come to a game day and see little girls smiling in their cheer outfits, with their grandparents who were students here, it really brings a sense of community and nostalgia. Fans and alumni truly love the university and the experience they’ve had here. It solidifies the uniqueness of it – that so many folks have come through this environment at different times in life and have all come away with something powerful that they want to continue to celebrate. It’s a moment of cultivation for that. I truly think that we have one of the best atmospheres in the nation.”