Ravens tailgate games to play before kickoff
A Baltimore Ravens tailgate works best when the games are quick, competitive and easy to understand. A short warm-up gives arriving fans something to do while drinks cool, burgers cook and conversation builds towards kickoff. Choose activities that create laughs rather than long explanations.
Australian watch parties often happen in suburban backyards, compact terraces or a reserved section at the local pub. A Sunday match in Baltimore may begin on Monday morning in Sydney, so the real tailgate could be a breakfast beside the barbecue. Short, flexible challenges suit that schedule well.
The strongest formats welcome adults, children and people with mixed sporting abilities. Soft equipment, clear boundaries and rounds of roughly five minutes prevent a keen team from dominating. Keep one lighthearted penalty, such as letting the losing side choose the next song.
Plan the atmosphere as carefully as the playing area. Music, team names and a visible score system can make an ordinary driveway feel connected to M&T Bank Stadium, even when the nearest Ravens supporters are thousands of kilometres away.
Build a ten-minute game-day ritual
Start with an easy welcome game while the group gathers. Pair players, give each pair a football or soft ball, and award points for a ten-metre throw and a short catching drill. This familiarises guests with American football without requiring prior knowledge of its rules.
For sound, browse the Ravens hype playlist and choose three tracks with different tempos. Use one for entrances, one for the first contest and one for the winner’s announcement. In Melbourne, a winter kickoff may call for a compact indoor version, while Brisbane organisers should plan shade and hydration when the start falls near midday.
Choose games that work for every skill level
Ladder toss is a reliable opener. Mark six rungs on a wall or fence with tape or chalk, give each player three beanbags and award one point per rung. Players must stay behind a marked line; that turns an Australian backyard activity into a clean Ravens competition without needing a regulation cornhole board.
Ring toss needs only plastic cups, a soft ball and a little floor space. Stack three cups at one end and three at the other, then alternate throws. Cups from Coles or an IGA make it an inexpensive addition to the local supermarket shop. Avoid glass containers, especially around children and dogs.
Cricket-inspired target play offers another option. Place two soft targets on the grass, set a boundary ten metres away and award bonus points for hitting the smaller marker. Call it a “boundary bonus” rather than pretending the game follows cricket scoring. Two or three rounds are enough to keep the scores moving.
Turn the yard into a mini stadium
A timed relay can cover movement, agility and teamwork. Set four plastic cones as a slalom, add a short sprint to a marked cone, then finish with a pass through a hoop. Run individuals against the clock, then let the whole family combine their times for a team result.
Keep throwing challenges gentle by using junior foam equipment. For a passing pair, one person throws a short pass through a cone gate while the other catches it, returns it and switches roles. The BMore Chix community can also help coordinate the wider watch party, share the schedule and keep female supporters involved between games.
Pair competition with the barbecue
Prediction games work well during food preparation because guests can watch the scoreboard and still eat. Ask each person to predict the opening score, total points, first touchdown and whether Baltimore will force a turnover before halftime. Award bonus points for correct bold choices, not merely realistic ones.
For a football-themed twist, use the Pick 6 concept featured in Celebrity Chix Pick 6, replacing individual players with categories such as “first rush,” “longest run” and “purple shoe” if that suits the group. Keep picks secret until the first quarter so nobody changes an answer after the opening drive.
Food contests can be just as simple. Divide homemade barbecue sauces, chilli dips or tailgate toppings into anonymous cups and let guests vote after tasting. Australian gatherings often feature snags, grilled onions and an egg and bacon roll, so local flavours can become bonus categories rather than being forced into an American recipe.
Match the contest to your group
For a family or mixed-age gathering, favour ladder toss, ring toss and the relay. Use these options when children arrive early, adults need a low-effort activity or a Sydney backyard offers less open space than a suburban block.
| Game | Ideal group | Equipment | Session length | Local twist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder toss | Families and mixed ages | Beanbags, tape or chalk | 10–15 minutes | Build a six-rung “purple ladder” |
| Ring toss | Large mixed groups | Plastic cups and a soft ball | 10 minutes | Score throws across a marked boundary |
| Mini combine | Adults and older children | Cones, stopwatch and soft football | 15 minutes | Add a fast sprint line |
| Prediction challenge | Knowledge-focused fans | Paper, pens and score sheet | During the barbecue | Convert kickoff to local time |
For older players, choose the mini combine or short passing contest, then retain a family round for anyone who wants to join. Australian football, rugby and cricket already create strong sporting traditions at many gatherings, so frames such as “boundary bonus” or “goal kick” feel familiar without changing the purpose of the Ravens challenge.
Make the next gathering feel like a genuine pregame event. Send one message with the date, location, food plan, game choices and kickoff converted to the host city’s local time. Ask guests to bring a soft ball or beanbag, assign a referee on arrival and start the music before anyone needs it.
Choose the simplest contest, give each team a memorable Ravens name and photograph the winner’s scoreboard. Share the result and a favourite moment from the day in the BMore Chix community, then keep the conversation going until the opening whistle arrives.