How to Watch Football Outside

Gearing Up Your Yard

Just like you wouldn’t dare show up to the party without your beloved jersey, your backyard needs to “gear up” for gameday too. Lawn maintenance plays an essential role in any backyard gathering. Get your yard in its full uniform by giving your lawn and other landscaping a fresh cut. If the weather permits, plant some flowers — bonus points for incorporating your favorite team’s colors into your landscaping!

Don’t forget to wipe down your outdoor surfaces like chairs, tables, and countertops before people come over. Be especially thorough if you’ll be serving food.

Illuminate the backyard for night games with the help of some beautiful landscape lighting. For a finishing touch, consider hanging a team flag so guests are clear about where your allegiance lies.

Securing the Screen

The viewing screen is the most important component of your football watch party. You have several options when it comes to watching the big game outdoors:

• Indoor TV — An obvious option would be to move the big screen outdoors. However, take extreme caution when transporting your indoor TV to the backyard. Not only is it somewhat dangerous to do so, but it can be tough to see the screen in bright light. Consider setting the TV in a shaded area, like under a covered porch or a tailgate tent. This will also help you avoid sun damage if you leave the TV outside for an extended period.
• Outdoor TV — If you’re willing to make the investment, a TV specifically made for outdoor viewing is a great option for gameday. Outdoor TVs are highly durable and designed to withstand the elements. Mount one to the patio wall for a more permanent setup.
• Inflatable screen — Inflating a big screen for the game is arguably the most fun option. However, if the game is during the day, it’ll be hard to see the screen. Inflatable screens can also be a bit of a hassle if you live in a windy area. If you have a large enough shaded space, an inflatable screen will be great – if not, save this option for a night game under the stars!
• Wall projection — If you have a large enough white wall, you can project the game right onto your home. If the wall is the wrong color, consider purchasing a large white tarp that you can mount on the wall for gameday weekends.

Firing Up the Grill

Football snacks and food are almost as important as the game itself.

If you plan to grill some burgers and hot dogs, make sure your appliance is in working order well before game day. Give your grill a good cleaning and examine the equipment to be sure nothing is damaged. Be sure to check your fuel — you wouldn’t want to make a propane/charcoal run in the middle of the game!

Making Guests Comfortable

Once the food is prepared and the viewing screen is set, it’s time to maximize the comfort level of viewing the game outdoors.

To accommodate your entire crew, chances are you’ll need to add some extra seating. Think beyond the patio chairs — incorporate some unique solutions such as blankets and inflated pool floaties!

When viewing night games outdoors, it’s important to keep the bugs at bay — light some citronella candles and be sure to keep the bug spray handy. And don’t forget to have outdoor lighting installed before football season starts!

Down, set, hike! You’re ready to host the ultimate backyard viewing party!