An 1869 game between Rutgers and Princeton is often cited as the first instance of tailgating at a football event. Fans brought food and drinks, and the event resembled modern tailgating practices. But tailgating didn’t originate with football — it started during the Civil War. The concept of tailgating can be traced back to the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. Civilians gathered with picnic baskets filled with food and drinks to watch the battle, marking an early instance of spectators enjoying a communal meal while observing an event. The term “tailgating” is believed to have been coined by fans of the Green Bay Packers, who would park their vehicles around the field and enjoy food and drinks from the tailgates of their cars.