The Great American Tailgate

Highmark Stadium (2025) - Bills Mafia Tailgate, Pinto Ron & Buffalo Food Tips

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Stadium #4: Highmark Stadium and Bills Mafia Intensity

Stadium #4: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Saints vs Bills - September 28, 2025

TL;DR: Visited Highmark Stadium in its final season before the new Buffalo Bills stadium opens. Experienced legendary Bills Mafia tailgating, saw Pinto Ron's ketchup and mustard ritual, ate authentic Buffalo wings at Anchor Bar, explored Eternal Flame Falls, and learned that Bills fans are the most intense we've encountered on our NFL stadium tour.

Our fourth trip took us to Buffalo, and we knew going in that Bills fans would be intense. What we didn't fully appreciate was just how intense until we experienced it firsthand.

A Small City with a Massive Fan Base

Buffalo has about the same population (~276k) as New Orleans (~362k), so it's fairly small as far as NFL cities go. But that just means their fan base is more rad. The entire city rallies around the Bills in a way that feels personal and deeply passionate.

I'm a big fan of Josh Allen, and because the Bills have been beaten up so many times and come so close to the Super Bowl but never walked away with the Lombardi Trophy, I root for them. When they're not playing the Saints, of course.

The weather was slightly overcast but mostly clear, perfect football weather.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn downtown, had a rental car and were ready to explore.

Late Night Arrival: Buffalo After Dark

Since I flew in late, Gene and I headed downtown around midnight. Even though it was a small section of the city, the night scene was going strong.

We did notice that Gene and I looked like we were wrecking the age curve as most of the people there appeared to be in their 20s. We were definitely bringing up the average.

We found a dive bar and ordered some wings, which were okay, but they did not live up to the expectation and hype of Buffalo wings. A disappointing start, but we'd get another chance.

Anchor Bar: The Original Buffalo Wings Debate

The next day, we went to Anchor Bar, where they claim to be the home of the original Buffalo chicken wings.

Since I've been to Buffalo before, I knew this was a hotly debated topic, so I just decided to keep my opinions to myself and enjoy the food.

We got there early, and there was already a line before they'd even opened. We got to talk to some other Bills and Saints fans who were in town for the game. The wings were great and completely redeemed themselves from the previous night's bar. These were the real deal.

On the walk back, we ran into a car show with lots of beautiful classic cars on display. My favorite was a converted van in the style of Alice in Wonderland.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

As a fan of architecture (what I wanted to be when I grew up), we stopped by the Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright. They wanted about $50 for a tour, but I wasn't that big of a fan, so we just walked around the house for free.

One thing that struck me as funny was how awkward it must be for the neighbors to live next to a Frank Lloyd Wright house. How do you keep up with the Joneses for that?

Parkside Candies and Sponge Candy

We went to Parkside Candies, an old-school candy store where we were told to get sponge candy (a type of honeycomb toffee).

It did not disappoint. I brought back a bag for myself and the family. But mostly for myself.

Eternal Flame Falls

We were glad to have Gene's car, as that let us drive to the Eternal Flame Falls, a natural gas flame that burns behind a small waterfall.

We were glad it wasn't raining, as it might have been difficult and slippery to get to otherwise. It's a small natural wonder that's worth the trip.

Afterward, we walked around the beach of Lake Erie, taking in the water and the surprisingly pleasant weather.

One Foot Cock Bar and Chef's Restaurant

We stopped at One Foot Cock Bar, where I tried their maple old-fashioned. It was too sweet for my taste, but I'd like to try their Bourbon Street cocktail next time. They seem to be more cocktail-leaning.

From a recommendation from Gene's sister, we ate at Chef's Restaurant. The name was unassuming, the inside looked like something right out of the 1980s, but this was probably one of the best Spaghetti parmesan of my life.

I'm pretty sure the layer of cheese, sweet meat sauce, and copious amounts of butter helped. I got mine topped with a meatball. The couple next to us were just as excited and glowing about the food.

They don't give you just a napkin, you get a full bib. Because you're going to make a mess, and you should just lean into it.

We finished the night off by walking our full bellies to the top of the Ascend Hotel for a view of downtown Buffalo, then popping into Streetlight Brasserie, which gave a strong "seen and be seen" vibe.

The Flight Timing Problem

When I booked my tickets, the last flight back to Dallas was at 5 PM. I thought this would be enough time; however, I didn't take into account that the game started at 1 PM on the East Coast. So I knew I'd have to leave the game early, but I didn't realize that until a week before flying out.

Two items on my bucket list for this trip were to see Pinto Ron and watch someone destroy a table. I was determined to make at least one happen.

Game Day: Bills Mafia in Full Force

Thankfully, we'd scouted the location earlier and strategized where to park so we'd be able to leave with minimal traffic problems. Since my flight was at 5 PM, we planned to leave the stadium at 3:30 PM. Thankfully, the airport was nearby (about 20 minutes).

Buffalo fans have, so far, been the most intense we've run into.

I was wearing my Brees jersey and a black and gold kilt. There were a few other black and gold fans around, but it was mostly a sea of blue. And some confused...

We barely got 100 feet in before someone invited me to do a ski shot with them. I knew this was going to be great.

Innovative Tailgate Food

Since Buffalo is a smaller city, like New Orleans, I loved seeing the innovative ways people would make food and share it with others. The filing cabinet chicken wings dump caught me by surprise. But not as much as the bedpan meatballs.

Buffalo fans are creative with their presentation.

Pinto Ron and the Ketchup and Mustard Ritual

About 90 minutes before the game started, Hammer Lot got crowded as people came to see Pinto Ron and the ketchup and mustard dousing ritual. It was exactly as advertised: chaotic, loud, and quintessentially Bills Mafia.

"F*** the Saints" and Finding Common Ground

One part that was rough: along with Bills fans' intensity, they would often see me and open with "F*** the Saints."

I don't believe there's any major rivalry between the two teams, but that was an indicator of their passion. At first, I was put off by it, but I didn't take it personally. When I would respond with something like "That's okay, I can take it" or "At least I'm not a Chiefs fan," their temperament immediately changed, and we were laughing in no time.

I knew that almost every game we do on this journey would be "in enemy territory," so it was important to not get riled up by other comments.

We're Not Alone

We also ran into three other people who said they were also trying to visit each of the NFL stadiums. That gave me hope that we're not alone in this adventure, and who knows, we might see the same people again!

Hopefully, this blog can help others want to go down this path.

More Vanlife

There were a bunch more #vanlife'ers there, almost a mini convention. I was happy to talk to them and learn more about their process and get some more pointers.

Highmark Stadium: Old-School Football

This is the final and 52nd year of Highmark Stadium one of the very few old-school stadiums still around. It felt like a high school stadium with the grandstands and aluminum bleachers, but much larger.

The new stadium, which is right next door, will be ready for the next football season. So I guess we have to come back to Buffalo again.

The Game: A Valiant Effort

I knew we weren't going to win this game, which kind of sucks because we'd won every other game we'd attended. But the Bills were at the top of their division, and the Saints were at the bottom of the NFL.

However, I was impressed at how much of a fight we were able to give. There was one touchdown in the 4th quarter that was overturned, and if it wasn't, we would have led the game at some point. Very impressive.

When we were trailing by only one point, it was exactly when I needed to leave to make my flight. For a brief second, I debated staying, but that would have complicated logistics all too much.

Instead, we ran from one tunnel to the next, in the direction of our car, watching the Saints get closer to the endzone, almost scoring and taking the lead. Sadly, what looked like a touchdown was later overturned and we had to settle for a field goal. This "ball chasing" wasn't sustainable as the guards didn't want us hanging around for long, but helped us feel super close to the game and that we were willing them into the end zone.

After the Game: The Undefeated Streak Ends (Sort Of)

On the walk back to Gene's car, I got the updates on my phone, and the Saints pretty much fell apart after we left.

So I think maybe we're good luck.

I had to leave the game early to catch my flight, but so far, we've never seen our teams lose a game. Maybe if this continues, we might get sponsored. :)

Due to our early scouting and carefully planned parking and exit, I was able to get to the airport with lots of time. My sea of blue started coming in from all the other out-of-town fans heading home.

Funny enough, one of the other teams in my fantasy football league is called "Allen Allen Allen Allen" (not related to Josh). So, I got this perfectly timed photo with all four of them.

What We Learned

Stadium #4 taught us:

Bills Mafia is real. The intensity, the creativity, the passion. It's everything you've heard and more.

Don't take trash talk personally. Once you respond with humor and respect, even the most intense fans become friendly.

Small cities, big fanbases. Buffalo and New Orleans are similar in size, and both have fans who live and breathe their teams.

Plan your exit strategy. Especially when you have a flight to catch.

We're not alone. Other people are doing this crazy stadium tour too, and that's awesome.

Old-school stadiums are special. Highmark Stadium felt like real football. No frills, just passion and aluminum bleachers.

Sponge candy is delicious. Buffalo knows what they're doing.

The Journey Continues

Four stadiums down. Twenty-six to go.

Buffalo gave us intensity, innovation, and a glimpse of what football culture looks like when an entire city is all-in. We'll be back when the new stadium opens, but we're glad we got to experience the old one in its final season.

Gene and I are still undefeated when we stay for the whole game. Let's see how long that lasts.

Stadiums Visited: 4/30
Pinto Ron Sightings: 1
Tables Destroyed: 0 (next time)
Good Luck Streak: Intact. Kinda, but not really. Next Stop: TBD

Follow along as Gene and I continue our journey across America, one stadium at a time.

Acrisure Stadium (2025) - Primanti Bros, Pittsburgh Attractions & Steelers Tailgate

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Stadium #3: Acrisure Stadium and Our First Northern Trip

Stadium #3: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Seahawks vs Steelers - September 14, 2025

TL;DR: First northern stadium visit at Acrisure Stadium (still called Heinz Field by locals). Explored Pittsburgh's incredible architecture, ate legendary Primanti Bros sandwiches with fries inside, visited colorful Randyland, rode the Monongahela Incline, and learned to pack sunscreen even up north. Seahawks won 31-17!

Stadium number three took us north for the first time. After learning our lesson about Texas heat in September, Gene and I decided to flip our strategy: hit the northern cities early in the season, save the southern ones for later.

Pittsburgh in mid-September turned out to be perfect timing.

The AFC Strategy

We're also being strategic about which teams we visit. We want to hit AFC teams first because Seattle and the Saints will play them the least often. These matchups are the hardest to schedule around, so we're knocking them out early in our journey.

Pittsburgh checked both boxes: northern location, AFC team. Perfect.

Solo Exploring: Gene's Work Kept Him Away

Gene had work commitments and couldn't join until Sunday, driving in right before the game. So I had a few days to explore Pittsburgh on my own.

I stayed at an Airbnb in Northside and spent my time wandering the city, eating well, and discovering what makes Pittsburgh unique.

Downtown Pittsburgh and PPG Architecture

Downtown Pittsburgh blew me away. The architecture, especially the PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass) buildings, is stunning. The city has this beautiful mix of old industrial heritage and modern design. I loved walking around just looking up at the buildings.

Primanti Bros: Fries Belong in Sandwiches

On a coworker's recommendation, I ate at Primanti Bros, the legendary Pittsburgh sandwich shop.

I ordered the Pastrami and Cheese, and it was amazing. Yes, they literally put the fries in the sandwich. And you know what? It works. Perfectly. I don't know why more places don't do this.

Point State Park: Under Construction, Still Beautiful

Point State Park was under construction because Pittsburgh is hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Even with the work happening, it was still a beautiful spot. Standing at the point where the rivers come together, the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio, was stunning. You can see why this location was so important historically.

Randyland: A Kaleidoscope of Joy

One of the most unique stops was Randyland, this incredibly colorful house covered in wild, hodgepodge art made from toys and found objects. It's chaotic, joyful, and unlike anything I've ever seen.

I got to talk to the owner, Randy, who's also autistic. His energy and passion for what he's created was infectious. The whole place is just pure creative expression, and I loved it.

The City That Sleeps Early

One thing I noticed: Pittsburgh shuts down early. By 9-10 PM, things get quiet. I was able to find a bar, but I was almost right on top of it before I noticed it because there was so little noise spilling out.

It's very different from the New Orleans bars I grew up with, where you can hear the party from blocks away. Not better or worse, just different. Pittsburgh has a more subdued nightlife vibe, at least in the Northside.

Mattress Factory: Modern Art in an Old Factory

I visited the Mattress Factory, a modern art museum, which used to be an actual mattress factory. Modern art isn't usually my thing, but this place was cool. The installations were creative and thought-provoking, and the space itself added to the experience.

Strip District: Steelers Everything

The Strip District is a collection of shops, markets, and LOTS of Steelers clothing for sale. Black and gold everywhere. The city bleeds Steelers pride.

I found Posman Books, a bookstore that's also an ice cream shop. I was in heaven. Books and ice cream in one place? That's my ideal afternoon.

Wigle Whiskey: A Rye Revelation

I have a large whisk(e)y collection and usually prefer bourbons, but I stopped by Wigle Whiskey for a tasting. Surprisingly, I preferred their Rye over their Bourbon. Maybe it's because I was up north, but the rye just hit different. It was smooth, flavorful, and made me rethink my bourbon bias.

The Incline Adventure and Unexpected Friends

I took the Monongahela Incline up to get a higher view of downtown. The view was incredible with the rivers, bridges, the city skyline all laid out below.

I planned to walk to the Duquesne Incline to go back down, and along the way, I made conversation with a couple who was heading to Le Mont, a restaurant with an amazing view.

They invited me to join them for a drink. We had a great conversation over incredible views of the city. Turns out they were celebrating their anniversary and were also in town for the game. They gave me their seat info so we could connect at the stadium.

Sometimes the best travel moments are the unplanned ones.

Animation Mixtape at the Harris Theater

I saw "Animation Mixtape" at the Harris Theater, which happened to be showing while I was in town and featured one of my favorite animators.

The show was a potpourri of animations. Some fell flat, some were hilarious, and some were genuinely thought provoking. It was a fun, eclectic experience.

Walking Home: A Safe City

After all my exploring, I walked back from downtown to my Airbnb in Northside. I felt safe the entire time. Pittsburgh has a welcoming, approachable vibe, even late at night.

Game Day: Gene Arrives

Sunday morning, Gene drove in and parked by my Airbnb. We grabbed breakfast at Lindos Restaurant, which felt like an old-school diner. A solid breakfast was exactly what we needed to start the day.

Tailgating with Steelers Nation

We talked to a bunch of people who were tailgating, and the Steelers fans were welcoming and passionate. Black and gold everywhere.

We ran into a couple where the husband had already visited every stadium to see the Steelers play. We were impressed and glad to know we weren't the only ones crazy enough to attempt this kind of journey.

Pre-Game Highlights

We got to see the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue, a touching tribute to Mr. Rogers, who's beloved in Pittsburgh.

There was also a parade of lowriders showing off before the game, which got everyone's attention. It was fun to watch and added to the festive atmosphere.

One thing that blew my mind: instead of parking at the stadium, some people were able to park their boats right by the stadium and tailgate from there. I'm still wondering if they had to pay for that.

Acrisure Stadium: Outdoor Football by the Rivers

Acrisure Stadium is outdoor, sunny, and has a great view of the rivers. It's a classic football setting, open air, natural light, and the industrial beauty of Pittsburgh as a backdrop.

Here's the thing though: the stadium is officially called Acrisure Stadium, but every local we talked to called it Heinz Field. That's what it was called for years, and old habits die hard. The ketchup bottle may be gone from the scoreboard, but it's clearly not gone from people's hearts.

I was wearing my gold Saints shirt, which looked close enough to Steelers colors that I'm not even sure people noticed I wasn't rooting for the home team.

We met up with my friends from the restaurant, the couple celebrating their anniversary, and enjoyed the game together.

One thing which took us off guard was the importance of sunscreen. We didn't think it would be a problem up north, but the open stadium got quite warm on the visitor's side.

The Game: Seahawks Win

Before kickoff, we let our neighbors know that we were there to enjoy the game and promised to be good neighbors. Steelers fans appreciated that.

There was a military helicopter flyover that got the crowd hyped.

Even though he was on the opposing side, it was good to see a legend like Aaron Rodgers play live. Watching a future Hall of Famer in person is always special, regardless of which team you're rooting for.

Seattle won 31-17, which made Gene very happy. His Seahawks got the road win, and he was grinning the whole way out of the stadium.

Post-Game: Quick Exit

After the game, we had to drive by Randyland to show it to Gene because it was so close to the Airbnb and so incredibly unique. He loved it.

Unfortunately, we didn't have time for much else. I had to fly home, and Gene had to fly out for another work week.

At the Pittsburgh International Airport, I spotted a really cool construction installation robot, some kind of art piece that caught my attention on the way out. A fitting end to a city that blends industry and creativity so well.

What We Learned

Stadium #3 taught us:

Northern cities in September are perfect. Warm, sunny, and comfortable. Without the oppressive heat.

Always pack sunscreen. Even in the north, sunny game days will get you.

AFC teams first is a smart strategy. Since both Seahawks and Saints are in the NFC, these matchups are rare for our teams, so prioritizing them early makes sense.

Pittsburgh is full of hidden gems. From Randyland to the inclines to Primanti Bros, the city surprised me at every turn.

Unplanned moments are the best. Meeting that couple at the incline and joining them for drinks was a highlight I never could have planned.

Steelers fans travel too. Meeting someone who'd visited every stadium to follow their team was inspiring.

The Journey Continues

Three stadiums down. Twenty-seven to go.

We've been to the West Coast, the South, and now the North. Each city teaches us something new about America and about how to be smarter travelers.

Gene and I are learning as we go.

Stadiums Visited: 3/30
Sandwiches with Fries Inside: 1
Unexpected Friendships: 1
Lessons About Sunscreen: 1
Next Stop: Highmark Stadium

Follow along as Gene and I continue our journey across America, one stadium at a time.

AT&T Stadium (2024) - Saints vs Cowboys Scorigami, Jerry World Tailgate Tips

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Stadium #2: AT&T Stadium and a Saints Takeover in Dallas

Stadium #2: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Saints vs Cowboys - September 15, 2024

TL;DR: Witnessed NFL history at AT&T Stadium as the Saints demolished the Cowboys 44-19 in a scorigami (a score that had never happened before). Saints fans took over Jerry World, the massive jumbotron lived up to the hype, and we learned to avoid Texas heat in September.

Our second stadium. Our first regular season game. And what a game it turned out to be.

After the preseason warmup in LA, Gene and I were ready for the real thing. The stakes were higher, the atmosphere more intense, and as we quickly learned, the Texas heat in September is absolutely brutal.

A Lesson in Weather Planning

It was hot. Seriously hot. Texas-in-September, standing-in-a-parking-lot-wondering-why-we-did-this hot.

This taught us an important lesson for the journey ahead: we need to be smarter about scheduling. Southern cities in early September? Not our brightest move. Going forward, we're saving the warm-weather stadiums for later in the NFL schedule when temperatures are more forgiving.

Lesson learned.

Pre-Game: Keeping It Simple

Since I still live in Dallas and Gene used to call it home, we skipped the full tourist routine this time. We've both seen the major sights already.

We stayed downtown, walked around a bit, and checked out the Giant Eyeball, a weird public art installation that everyone in Dallas either loves or hates. No in-between. We're in the "it's entertainingly weird" camp.

Other than that, we kept it low-key before heading to Arlington for the game.

Game Day: Saints Nation Shows Up

New Orleans is only about six hours from Dallas, and it seemed like half of the city made the drive. But what really stood out wasn't just the number of Saints fans, it was how you could identify their tailgate parties by the music.

You'd be walking through the parking lot and suddenly hear funk, jazz, and bass pumping from a setup, and you'd know: Saints fans. The music was completely different from the typical tailgate soundtrack. It had that New Orleans soul to it, and as a Saints fan myself who loves that style of music, it felt like home.

AT&T Stadium: Jerry's Monument

Walking into AT&T Stadium is an experience as the place is massive. There's a reason the locals call it "Jerry World".

But the real showstopper is the jumbotron. This thing is absurdly large. So large that there were times during the game when it was honestly easier to watch the jumbotron than what was happening on the field. The clarity, the size, the way it dominates your field of vision, it's a spectacle.

Despite that, the stadium itself offers great seats all around. No matter where you sit, you've got a good view. The whole place feels like walking into a modern marvel of sports architecture.

The Game: Historic Blowout

And then the game happened.

Saints 44, Cowboys 19.

We weren't expecting to win. We definitely weren't expecting to blow them out in their own stadium. But that's exactly what happened.

Here's the best part: it was a scorigami! For those unfamiliar, that means the final score of 44-19 had never happened before in NFL history. You can check all NFL scorigamis at nflscorigami.com.

My first scorigami! I was thrilled. There's something special about witnessing a piece of NFL history which excited the math nerd in me.

By the end of the game, the stadium was full of black and gold jerseys. Cowboys fans had quietly left, and the Saints faithful stayed to celebrate. The energy was incredible with people hooting and hollering, chanting, and even a parade in the streets afterwards with fans marching around celebrating.

It was an away game that felt like a home game by the fourth quarter.

Victory Celebration

After the game, we weren't ready to call it a night. We headed to Revelers Hall in Bishop Arts, a spot that brings New Orleans culture to Dallas.

We caught a live New Orleans-style jazz band, and the place was packed with Saints fans still riding the high of the blowout win. The music, the energy and celebration was perfect.

Then we went to Chimichurri Latin Bistro & Bar and absolutely stuffed ourselves. Victory and great food is a winning combo.

What We Learned

Stadium #2 taught us some valuable lessons:

Weather planning is crucial. We're being smarter about when we visit southern cities going forward.

Fanbases travel with their culture. Saints fans didn't just show up, they brought New Orleans with them, music and all.

Home field advantage isn't guaranteed. The Cowboys got demolished in their own house.

Scorigamis are real and exciting. Witnessing NFL history, even in the form of a unique score, is special.

AT&T Stadium's jumbotron is no joke. It's worth the hype.

The Journey Continues

Two stadiums down. Twenty-eight to go.

We've experienced preseason warmth in LA and regular season heat in Dallas. We've seen our first blowout, witnessed our first scorigami, and learned valuable lessons about planning.

Gene and I left Dallas exhausted, full, and already planning the next trip.

Stadiums Visited: 2/30
Scorigamis Witnessed: 1
Lessons About Planning: Multiple
Next Stop: Acrisure

Follow along as Gene and I continue our journey across America, one stadium at a time.

SoFi Stadium (2024) - NFL Tailgate Experience, Infinity Screen & LA Tips

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Our First Stadium: SoFi and the LA Experience

Stadium #1: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Chargers vs Seahawks - 2024-08-10 (Preseason)

TL;DR: Our NFL stadium tour begins at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for Seahawks vs Chargers preseason. We explored the Getty Villa, Santa Monica Pier, experienced our first tailgate culture, marveled at the famous 120-yard infinity screen, and learned that fanbases travel even for preseason games.

Every journey has to start somewhere. For Gene and me, that somewhere was Los Angeles, standing in the parking lot of the most expensive stadium ever built, about to experience our first real NFL tailgate.

This was it! The beginning of our quest to visit all 30 NFL stadiums and discover America along the way. We'd talked about this crazy idea for months, and now we were actually doing it. Even if it was "just" a preseason game.

Getting to Know LA

We flew in a few days early to explore the city before game day. LA is massive, sprawling, and impossible to truly know in just a few days, but we tried.

Getty Villa was our first stop, tucked into the Pacific Palisades with views of the ocean. Walking through the recreated Roman villa filled with ancient art felt surreal, like stepping into another world. The gardens alone were worth the visit.

Santa Monica Pier gave us the classic California experience: The Ferris wheel, the arcade, street performers, and that endless stretch of beach. The weather was perfect, exactly what you'd expect from LA. Sunny, warm, not too hot. We grabbed fish tacos and watched the sunset over the Pacific, already feeling like this trip was going to be something special.

I even found someone living their best #vanlife and talked to them for a while to get some inspiration. My goal is to get a van and road trip to some along each of the coasts.

Game Day: Our First Tailgate

Game day arrived, and we learned quickly that tailgating is an art form.

Driving up to SoFi Stadium for the first time was surreal. The building is massive, modern, and sits there like a spaceship that landed in Inglewood. We couldn't go inside yet, but just seeing it from the outside got us excited for what was coming.

We rolled into the parking lot not really knowing what to expect. Within minutes, we were welcomed by Chargers fans setting up elaborate spreads of grills smoking, canopies up, music playing, corn hole games in full swing. The energy was infectious.

But here's what surprised us: the Seahawks fans. Gene's people. There weren't a ton of them, but there were enough that we didn't feel alone. We found a small group decked out in blue and green, and they welcomed us in like we were family. That's when we learned that fanbases travel, even in the preseason.

One of the coolest conversations we had was with a couple living the van life. They had a converted Sprinter van that was basically a tiny home on wheels, and they were following the Seahawks up and down the West Coast. They showed us their solar panels, compact kitchen, the works. It was inspiring and made us think about all the different ways people experience this game and this country.

Even though it was preseason, the tailgate atmosphere was real. People showed up. People cared. That was our first lesson: it's not always about the stakes of the game. It's about the ritual, the community, the excuse to gather.

SoFi Stadium: A Monument to Modern Sports

Walking into SoFi Stadium for the first time is an experience I won't forget.

The place is immense. It holds 70,000 people and somehow still feels intimate once you're inside. The landscaping around the stadium has beautiful palms, native plants, and modern architecture blending with the Southern California environment.

Inside, we saw Seahawks fans who'd gone all out. I'm talking full body paint, green and blue from head to toe. One guy had dyed his hair green and had a green pimp outfit. The dedication was unreal, especially for a preseason game.

But the real showstopper? The infinity screen.

This thing is unlike anything else in sports. It's a 120-yard double-sided video board that hangs from the roof over the field. You can see it from anywhere in the stadium, and the replays, graphics, and visuals are stunning. It gives you a perspective on the game you don't get anywhere else. Even when you're watching the action live on the field, your eyes keep drifting up to that screen.

The Game Itself

The Seahawks won. That made Gene happy, even if most of the stars weren't playing.

That's the thing about preseason. You're watching backup quarterbacks, rookies trying to make the roster, veterans getting their legs under them. We didn't see Geno Smith or any of the big names take more than a handful of snaps. But it didn't matter.

We were there. We were in an NFL stadium, watching live football, soaking in the atmosphere. The crowd still cheered. The band still played. The energy was still real.

For a first stadium experience, it taught us an important lesson: it's not always about seeing the superstars or watching a playoff-caliber game. Sometimes it's just about being there, about the experience, about sharing it with your friend and the strangers sitting around you.

What We Learned

This first trip taught us a lot:

Tailgating is real. It's not just something you see on TV. It's a culture, a community, and a way of life for a lot of fans.

Fanbases travel. Even in preseason, Seahawks fans showed up in LA. We weren't alone.

Preseason still counts. Sure, the starters barely played, but the experience was authentic. The stadium was beautiful. The atmosphere was electric. It mattered.

People are welcoming. Strangers invited us to their tailgates. Fans shared their stories. Van lifers showed us their homes. Everyone we met was generous with their time and their passion.

This journey is going to be incredible. If this was just stadium #1, and it already gave us great conversations, sights, food, and experience.

The Road Ahead

As we left SoFi Stadium and drove back through the LA sprawl, Gene and I were already talking about the next trip. Where would we go? What would we discover? Who would we meet? What would we eat and drink?

One stadium down. Twenty-nine to go.

The Great American Tailgate had officially begun.

Stadiums Visited: 1/30
Tailgates Experienced: 1
Van Life Conversations: 1
Lessons Learned: Too many to count
Next Stop: AT&T Stadium

Follow along as Gene and I continue our journey across America, one stadium at a time.