Are you ready for some football? Football season is here and the scorching hot days are coming to an end. Now is the perfect time to fire up the grill, turn up the TV, and be the ultimate Sun Devils and Cardinals fans. Here's how!

Photo Credit: Arizona Cardinals

 Arizona State University Sun Devils Tailgating

After a strong start to the Sun Devils football season, Arizona State University is hoping to have an influx of college football fans flooding the stadium for every home game. Tailgating events are popular for both students and outside fans, which is why entertainment is provided throughout the stadium and in the surrounding Tempe area.

With Mill Avenue so close to the Sun Devil stadium, many restaurants and bars offer special events, specials, and discounts for ASU football fans. According to Dylan Abrams, a video intern for ASU Media Relations, two of the most popular and closest bars are Devil’s Advocate, located at University Drive and Rural Road, and College Dropouts, located at Veteran’s Way and College Avenue.

“[They] are popular pre-game and post-game options for students and non-students 21 and over,” Abrams says.

According to Abrams, for those celebrating the football season the old-fashioned way, “it’s safe to assume that students and other spectators that tailgated off campus prepared for the game with hot dogs and beer.” You can never go wrong with basic party food and drinks. Abrams suggests that regardless of your pre-game festivities, to always make sure you have enough water and snacks, just in case the tailgate party or event falls short of your needs, “but if you can fight off your hunger until you're in the stadium, there's plenty of food at the game.” If you want to bring beverages into the stadium, they have to be unopened.

ASU students who are part of the Student Athletic Association’s Inferno package group, get special opportunities to celebrate before each game. They are given wrist bands to attend special events at Palo Verde Beach on University Drive with DJs, recently sponsored by the AEPi fraternity, games, food, and other activities.

For ASU students who are non-Inferno members, special shuttles, double-decker bus transportation, and other festivities have been scheduled in the past.

Cmdr. Jim Hardina with ASU Police advises fans to be responsible while tailgating.

“It’s a family event. We really don’t have many problems. Many frats and other student organizations have large tailgates, which can become a problem,” Hardina says.

If you are going to be tailgating at an ASU game this season, remember that all drinking games are forbidden and to remember that if alcohol is a part of your tailgate, to have a safe way home afterwards.

“You’re going to be drinking. You’re not going to be at home,” says Hardina.  

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Arizona Cardinals Tailgating

If you’re heading up to the University of Phoenix stadium for the next Cardinals game, go all out and make your tailgate count! Much like ASU and other college and NFL tailgates, pre-game barbecues and get-togethers are always popular and widely publicized.

Kami Lester, Admistrative Assistant for the Cardinals, said that before games and to entertain tailgaters, they have bands set up on stages on their Great Lawn. In addition, various sponsors throughout the year will put together activities and special promotions for game day. The Great Lawn’s wide open space was created as a space for vendors, entertainment, and extra space for fans to utilize before the game.

Lester noted that many fans bring the usual tailgating items: propane grills, tents, and food. Tailgating is basically a backyard barbecue without the backyard, so picnic and barbecue food and activities are generally the most popular.

The Westgate City Center is located near the University of Phoenix stadium. Here you will find shopping, lodging, entertainment venues, and many great restaurants for fun before and after Cardinals games.

If you are unsure of what to bring or what is allowed at the stadium on game day, visit the Cardinals website for their 2011 Arizona Cardinals A-Z Guide.

Photo Credit: Just A Game