Players Tailgate 2026: What To Expect & How To Score Tickets

The ultimate culinary Super Bowl experience returns to San Francisco ahead of the big game.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:31pm by Ben Kaplan

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The nationally acclaimed Players Tailgate event is back in San Francisco this year, bringing together renowned celebrity chefs, live entertainment, NFL athletes, and multiple open bars to celebrate the final football smackdown of the season. The tailgate kicks off at 11 am on game day and will run until 3 pm, offering an all-you-can-eat menu curated by esteemed culinary talent. Guests can enjoy dishes like Korean honey butter wings, Big Mac kebabs, freshly shucked oysters, and crab tostadas, as well as photo opportunities with a cow topiary in the Organic Valley lounge.

Why it matters

As one of the best food cities in the country, San Francisco is the perfect host for the Players Tailgate, which has become known as the culinary Super Bowl before the big game. The event brings together top chefs, athletes, and entertainment to create an unforgettable experience for football and food fans alike.

The details

The Players Tailgate will take place at Mission College, less than a mile from Levi's Stadium. The event will be hosted by Chefs Aaron May, Marc Murphy, and Kelsey Murphy, and will feature a lineup of culinary talent including Aarón Sánchez, Jet Tila, Tristen Epps, Shota Nakajima, Josh Capon, Adam Sobel, Catherine McCord, Leah Cohen, Chris Cosentino, and Damaris Phillips. In addition to the all-you-can-eat menu, the event will also host DJ Irie for live music and a Game Day Showdown cooking competition judged by Delish Digital Director Katelyn Lunders and surprise NFL players.

  • The Players Tailgate kicks off at 11 am on Super Bowl Sunday (February 2, 2026) and will run until 3 pm.

The players

Players Tailgate

A nationally acclaimed event that brings together renowned celebrity chefs, live entertainment, NFL athletes, and multiple open bars to celebrate the final football smackdown of the season.

Bullseye Event Group

The organizers of the Players Tailgate event, which supports their non-profit partners including the Food Recovery Network and the Irie Foundation.

Organic Valley

A dairy brand that will have its own lounge at the Players Tailgate, featuring its cheese products in creative and delicious ways.

Team Delish

The Delish team will be hosting the ultimate Game Day Showdown cooking competition at the event, with celebrity chefs Belle English and Josh Capon going head-to-head.

Katelyn Lunders

The Delish Digital Director who will be judging the Game Day Showdown cooking competition alongside surprise NFL players.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Players Tailgate are available for purchase, with options for individual tickets as well as limited VIP cabanas that can host groups of 6 or 12 people.

The takeaway

The Players Tailgate is a must-attend event for football and food fans alike, offering an unparalleled culinary experience with top chefs, open bars, live music, and a chance to support important non-profit causes.