M Go Tailgate

WELCOME BACK!

Football is finally back! We kick off the 2026 season under the Big House lights against the Western Michigan Broncos. Because this is a 7:30 PM night game, the lot opens at noon. For the regulars, you know what this means: getting into the lot is a high-stakes game of musical chairs as they tell us we can’t line up until 11:30… no wait, 11:45… no wait, 11:50… no wait, keep moving people, no lining up!

NEED YOUR HELP:
So what does that mean? We need all hands on deck to protect our turf. If you’re local and can show up at the north lot entrance around 11:45 AM, we need runners to hustle over when the gates open at noon to physically stand in our spots while we navigate the entrance line in the trucks. Once we’re parked, you’re free to stick around, head over to Frazier’s, or take a well-deserved breather.

FIRST GAME NIGHT GAME PLAN: 
Since it’s a night game, we’ll start firing up the main meal around 4:00 PM so that food is ready shortly after. Anyone arriving early may be recruited (or voluntold) to chop veggies, set up tables, or haul coolers. Also, as we did for the opening night games in 2024 and 2025, we will begin to take down the tailgate at kickoff.  This means we will not serve food during the game and the game will not be on our TVs once it begins.  Note, this is only for the first game.  All subsequent night games will include the usual festive in-game fun.  

For those who made the opening tailgates for the past two years you may recall that we ran out of potluck items both years.  So here is your friendly reminder that everyone needs to participate in the side dish or dessert potluck.  

ARE YOU NEW TO MGOTAILGATE?
If so, here are the details you need to know. We run M Go Tailgate for fun—this is not a business or a catered affair. If you found your way here, ask whoever invited you for the password to sign up or see the location link above. To keep things running smoothly, we ask for a contribution for the main course along with pop and water so everything is bought, prepped, and ready on time.

So here is what you need to do:

• Find the sign up link at the bottom of the post
• Use the magic password to access the signup
• Select yes or no for your RSVP
• Add in the number of adults and children in your party
• Select the number of adults and children for the main course contribution
• Select side dish and/or dessert (or one of the special items each week) for your party size
• Select the number for keg beer/seltzer if desired

THIS GAME’S MENU: Opening night calls for a classic summer cookout. We’ll be slinging gourmet burgers and if enough people sign up by Thursday afternoon we will have grilled brats loaded up with all the fixings—make a plate, grab a bun, whatever works for you. As always, we will have hotdogs for the kids, or even that stubborn high schooler who refuses to eat anything else… Outside of the main course, pop, and water, we ask that you continue to contribute sides, desserts, and whatever surprise specialty dishes you want to show off for Week 1.

Please be sure to include what you’re bringing in the signup comments so we don’t end up with a dozen bags of chips and the same containers of Kroger frosted cookies (again). By now we think everyone knows the drill. If you have questions, ask one of us before Saturday.

As a reminder, please check in with Ken or Rich when you arrive. It helps us to settle up and to know who is in each group. As you can imagine, we always have guests we do not recognize and want to ensure we do not catch them off guard with the “who are you with” questions. Thanks for your help with this. If you are new please add who invited you to your comment field.

The new tents and gutter system held up great last year! We continue to collect funds to cover parking passes, propane, and general tailgate infrastructure, so if you’d like to throw a few extra dollars toward the equipment fund, please see Ken or Rich to make a donation. Any additional donations are appreciated!

📍 Location: We’ll do our best to snag the usual spot, but as you know it’s always a bit of musical chairs.

⏰ Tailgate starts: Lot opens at noon! The setup crew will be rolling in right then to raise the flags and set up shop. If you get there early to help us hold spots, we’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.

💵 Contribution: $20/adult covers the mains, pop, and water (kids discounted as usual). If cost is ever an issue, just let a host know — we’d always rather have you there. If you plan on just stopping to say hello or not eating the main course, no contribution is required. We really hate to raise the contribution, but all costs have increased. We never make money on the tailgate, we just try to not lose too much.

Other tailgate notes:

• Grill Access: Open and available for anyone with specific dietary needs or DIY cooking.
• KEG BEER & SELTZER: Available again this year for a $10 contribution. Be sure to sign up on the link. Taps TBD based on what’s fresh this week!
• BYOB & Blue Cooler: Community blue cooler rules apply: add some, take some.
• Booze Stash: Restocking is required for Team 147! Bring what you want to share. We don’t always put everything out at once, so if you’re looking for something specific, just ask. There is not much left over from last year.
• Lot Crew Needed: If you or your group are close by between 11:30 AM and noon, please reach out to Ken or Rich to help us run in and hold our normal footprint when the gates open.

Signup link: 2026 Game 1 Western Michigan (password is the same clever twist as last year). If you need the password, please reach out to one of the hosts or whoever invited you.

Go Blue! 💛💙