Tailgate Group
Tailgate Group is a privately-held event services company that delivers turnkey tailgating rental packages — including custom trailers, tents, TVs, and equipment — for college and professional football games across nine southeastern U.S. markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersOxford, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tailgate Group does
Tailgate Group LLC is a privately-held event services company that provides turnkey tailgating rentals for college and professional football games across the southeastern United States. Founded in 2011 by Colton Benford while a student at the University of Mississippi, the company sets up, services, and breaks down premium tailgating environments on behalf of alumni, visiting fans, families, and corporate groups — covering tents, tables, coolers, TVs, generators, sound systems, and proprietary custom trailer packages (Tailgate King, Tailgate Airstream, Tailgate Tonic) priced from $250 to $5,900 per event. Strategic university partnerships with Ole Miss Athletics and the University of South Carolina grant approved-vendor status and exclusive early-access setup rights in The Grove (Oxford, MS) and Gamecock Park (Columbia, SC), both described as premier tailgating venues. The product portfolio is location-tailored across nine cities in six states (Oxford, Athens, Atlanta, Auburn, Charlotte, Clemson, Columbia, Jacksonville, Raleigh), with pricing that scales by opponent and group size.
The company operates a direct-to-consumer model with self-serve online reservation and deposit collection, supported by a client mobile app that streams equipment lists, tent location, tent color, and gameday logistics. Revenue is generated entirely through one-time per-event rental fees plus add-on SKUs (extra chairs, tables, TVs, beverage delivery, total turnkey upgrades), with no subscription, recurring license, or recurring managed-service component. Distribution is exclusively through the company's own website and app — no reseller or intermediary channel exists. Marketed segments include SEC and ACC alumni and fans, groups and families of 10–500+, event planners (bachelor parties, corporate entertaining), and premium/executive tailgaters seeking luxury trailer experiences with on-site servers. Core marketing channels are organic social (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn), a content blog, and earned media placement in Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Outside Magazine. Catering, beverage, and bar services are fulfilled through a curated ecosystem of regional channel partners rather than in-house capabilities.
Operationally, Tailgate Group is a lean bootstrapped business with 11–50 employees, no institutional funding, no parent company, and no disclosed revenue. The founding location at Ole Miss remains the operational anchor, with regional operations leads (e.g., Gulf South, Oxford) executing gameday set-up and breakdown using part-time seasonal labor. The competitive position rests on a distribution-advantage moat derived from venue exclusivity at flagship locations, supplemented by intangible-asset moats in brand recognition and proprietary trailer designs (including a 2020-restored 1966 Airstream Overlander).
Tailgate Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tailgate Group
- Legal name
- Tailgate Group LLC
- Website
- https://tailgategroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tailgate Group is a privately-held event services company that delivers turnkey tailgating rental packages — including custom trailers, tents, TVs, and equipment — for college and professional football games across nine southeastern U.S. markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tailgate Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Tailgating Services
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Party Venue Sourcing & Booking Services (HSACACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering (THAFAIAG)
Keywords
Where Tailgate Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oxford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
Tailgate Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Event Rental - Package Bookings: One-time rental fees per event for tailgating packages ranging from basic tent setups to premium trailer rentals. Customers pay deposits and full payment before events. Cancellation policy: full refund if cancelled 60+ days prior, 50% refund 1-59 days prior.
- Add-on Services: Additional charges for extra equipment rental (chairs, tables, TVs, generators), beverage delivery, catering delivery coordination, turnkey upgrades. Margins on add-on items.
- University Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with universities (Ole Miss Athletics, University of South Carolina) for exclusive access to prime tailgate locations like The Grove and Gamecock Park.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tailgate King - Ultimate luxury trailer with upper deck, restroom, 3 TVs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tailgate Airstream - Restored vintage 1966 Airstream Overlander |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tailgate Tonic - Multi-TV viewing with 4 screens |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Grove Setup - Basic Ole Miss Grove tent package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 20x20 Grove TV Setup - Premium Ole Miss Grove package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 20x20 Tent/TV Setup - Large tent package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 10x20 Tent/TV Setup - Standard tent package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Add-ons |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Tailgate Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tailgate Group provides turnkey tailgating rental packages for college and professional football gamedays across the southeastern United States. Customers reserve tents, custom trailers (Tailgate King, Tailgate Airstream, Tailgate Tonic), TVs, furniture, and add-ons online; the company then delivers, sets up, services, and breaks down the entire setup on gameday. Venue-specific packages operate inside exclusive partner locations such as Ole Miss's The Grove and the University of South Carolina's Gamecock Park.
Product overview
Tailgate Group operates as an event services company offering a portfolio of turnkey tailgating rental packages across multiple southeastern U.S. locations. The core product lineup consists of three distinct trailer-based packages: the Tailgate King (luxury trailer with 3 TVs, restroom, upper deck), Tailgate Airstream (restored 1966 vintage trailer with 3 TVs, bar, restroom), and Tailgate Tonic (multi-screen trailer with 4 TVs for viewing multiple games). These are supplemented by tent-based offerings including 10x20 and 20x20 Tent/TV setups. Location-specific packages are available for Ole Miss Grove in Oxford, MS and Gamecock Park in Columbia, SC, featuring specialized tent configurations. Add-on items including equipment upgrades, additional seating, and entertainment options round out the product portfolio. The company sets up, breaks down, and manages all equipment, providing a full-service experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tailgate King: The ultimate game day tailgating trailer rental featuring 3 televisions, restroom, grill, upper deck, and turnkey setup experience.
- Tailgate Airstream
- Tailgate Tonic
- The Grove
- Gamecock Park Services
Products and services
- Tailgate King Ultimate luxury game day tailgating trailer rental package (8.5x17.5ft trailer with 15x8.5ft upper deck) including three TVs (55-inch + two 40-inch), grill, interior/exterior bars, lighting, sound system, restroom with sink, plus tent setup with tables, coolers, chairs, and on-site server. Targeted at premium groups wanting a turnkey high-end tailgating experience. Priced at $3,750-$5,750 per event.
- Tailgate Airstream Restored 1966 Airstream Overlander trailer offering a timeless luxury tailgating experience with 8x17ft space, three TVs (65-inch + 43-inch + 32-inch), interior and exterior bars, ice trough, shelving, restroom with sink, and fully finished interior. Targeted at premium and vintage-aesthetic-loving tailgaters. Priced at $4,000-$5,900 per event.
- Tailgate Tonic Multi-screen tailgating trailer (7.5x16ft) featuring four TVs (two 50-inch + two 32-inch) at multiple viewing angles, exterior foldout bar, and phone charging stations, ideal for groups wanting to watch several games simultaneously. Priced at $3,500-$5,500 per event.
- 20x20 Tent/TV Setup Large tent-based tailgating package including 400 sq ft of shade and artificial turf, two 10x20 tents, four tables, two high tables, large coolers, 12 chairs, a 40-inch TV setup, and a 100-watt speaker setup, with generator included. Priced at $1,850-$2,850 per event.
- 10x20 Tent/TV Setup Standard tent tailgating package including a 10x20 tent, four tables, three coolers, 12 chairs, 10 coozies, and a 40-inch or 50-inch TV setup with generator, satellite dish, and satellite receiver. Priced at $1,650-$2,400 per event.
- Ole Miss Grove Setup Packages Location-specific tailgating packages for Ole Miss's The Grove, including Grove Setup, Grove TV Setup, 10x20 Grove Setup, 10x20 Grove TV Setup, 20x20 Grove Setup, and 20x20 Grove TV Setup, with sizes from 10 guests (single 10x10 tent with table, cooler, chairs, and koozies) up to 35 guests (four 10x10 tents, tables, coolers, linens, high tables, and a 50-inch TV setup). Priced at $250-$4,074 per game depending on opponent.
- Gamecock Park Tailgating Packages Location-specific tailgating packages for the University of South Carolina's Gamecock Park in Columbia, SC, offered through the company's partnership with the Gamecock Club and Learfield Sports Marketing. Packages include 10x10 Tent, Premium TV, 20x20 Tent, VIP TV, Signature, Tailgate Tonic, Tailgate King, and Tailgate Airstream, with exclusive offerings at Rice Football Campus and Garnet Way lawn.
- Add-Ons À la carte supplementary items available for addition to any tailgating package, including extra ice bags ($15), chairs ($20), oversized chairs ($25), tables ($80), tent side panels ($95), box fans ($110), high tables with linen ($115), coolers with ice ($155), beverage delivery ($300), cornhole boards ($325), 10x10 tents ($425), 50-inch TV setups ($750), 10x20 tents ($900), and a Total Turnkey Experience ($1,500).
Quantifiable outcome
- 75,000+ fans per game at Ole Miss Grove, 100,000+ on major game days
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Tailgate Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Tailgate Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Tailgate Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of South Carolina / Gamecock ClubcoreOfficial partnership to provide turnkey tailgating services at Gamecock Park. Exclusive offerings at Rice Football Campus and Garnet Way lawn. Company goal: 'enhance and honor existing South Carolina tailgating traditions.' Works with Learfield Sports Marketing for corporate approvals.
- Ole Miss AthleticscoreLong-standing partnership with University of Mississippi athletics department. Provides Tailgate Group exclusive early access to set up tents in The Grove before general public on Fridays. Direct allotment of tent spaces in premium locations near Walk of Champions. Allows company to operate as 'Approved Ole Miss Tailgate Vendor' with unrivaled Grove service access.
- Midwood Smokehouse (Raleigh)minorCatering partner for Raleigh market. Provides food delivery and setup services for tailgate customers. Contact: (704) 714-9886
- Sam Jones BBQ (Raleigh)minorCatering partner for Raleigh market. BBQ catering delivery services. Contact: (948) 206-2555
- Taylor Grocery Catering (Ole Miss)minorCatering partner for Ole Miss Grove. Provides catering delivery to tailgate setups. Contact: (662) 801-9140
- Ole Miss Catering (Aramark)minorUniversity-affiliated catering for Ole Miss Grove tailgates. Contact: (662) 915-7041
- Oby's Oxford CateringminorLocal Oxford caterer for Grove tailgates. Contact: (662) 550-1782
- Panera Bread Catering (Oxford)minorNational chain catering delivery for Ole Miss Grove. Contact: (662) 321-5047
- Sweet Lew's BBQ (Charlotte)minorCatering partner for Charlotte market. Contact: (980) 224-7584
- Viva Chicken (Charlotte)minorCatering partner for Charlotte market. Contact: (704) 562-9830
- Catering By Tracy (Charlotte)minorCatering partner for Charlotte market. Contact: (704) 607-3078
- Lewis Barbecue (Clemson)minorCatering partner for Clemson market. Contact: (864) 513-6045
- Ruffage (Clemson)minorCatering partner for Clemson market. Contact: (864) 502-0126
- Eggs Up Grill (Clemson)minorCatering partner for Clemson market. Contact: (336) 524-3660
- Mission BBQ (Columbia)minorCatering partner for Gamecock Park. Contact: (910) 973-6840
- Carolina Elite Bar Services (Columbia)minorBeverage/bartending service for Gamecock Park tailgates. Contact: (803) 422-9359
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tailgate Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- On Location: Premium experience provider (formerly On Location Experiences) for NFL, college football and major sporting events, including hospitality, gameday packages and exclusive venue access. Comparable business model — bundling access, amenities and turnkey service — at national scale across multiple sports.
- QuintEvents: Established premium sports and entertainment hospitality provider offering official ticket-inclusive packages, VIP access and on-site experiences across major sporting events. Comparable to Tailgate Group as a premium experiential layer around sports, but at significantly larger scale and broader sport/event coverage.
Emerging players
- CID Entertainment: Premium festival and live-event hospitality provider offering elevated experiences, private viewing and add-on packages. Comparable experiential/turnkey service model, primarily in music rather than sports, but analogous in bundling access, amenities and dedicated guest service.
- GameDay Concierge: Boutique turnkey tailgating services operating at select college football venues. Closest like-for-like competitor in the niche tailgate-services category, although smaller scale than Tailgate Group and with less developed trailer/premium packages.
Direct peers
- Quest Events: Event rental and production company specializing in premium tents, custom structures and event environments for sporting, corporate and private events. Directly comparable in the equipment-rental-and-setup side of Tailgate Group's offering, particularly the tent/turf/TV configurations.
- Rent Like a Champion: Game-day housing rental platform for college football weekends, directly cross-referenced on Tailgate Group's own website footer as a complementary service. Targets the same alumni/family customer base attending SEC/ACC games and operates a comparable event-driven, seasonally-concentrated booking model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tailgate Group social profiles
Digital presenceTailgate Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tailgate Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Tailgate Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tailgate Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tailgate Group
What does Tailgate Group do?
Tailgate Group provides turnkey tailgating rental packages for college and professional football gamedays across the southeastern United States. Customers reserve tents, custom trailers (Tailgate King, Tailgate Airstream, Tailgate Tonic), TVs, furniture, and add-ons online; the company then delivers, sets up, services, and breaks down the entire setup on gameday. Venue-specific packages operate inside exclusive partner locations such as Ole Miss's The Grove and the University of South Carolina's Gamecock Park.
Is Tailgate Group a public or private company?
Tailgate Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tailgate Group founded?
Tailgate Group was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tailgate Group based?
Tailgate Group is headquartered in Oxford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tailgate Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Event Rental - Package Bookings are the primary driver. The others are add-on Services and university Partnerships.
Who are Tailgate Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are On Location and QuintEvents. Emerging players are CID Entertainment and GameDay Concierge. Direct peers are Quest Events and Rent Like a Champion.
Does Tailgate Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tailgate Group.
What industry is Tailgate Group in?
Tailgate Group's product category is Event Tailgating Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACACAL, Party Venue Sourcing & Booking Services, with a secondary code of THAFAIAG, Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering. Its SIC code is 7990.