Tampa Tailgate?

[cookinwithgas]

I've never been which sucks because every season I say that I'm getting down there this year.

But my big away trip this year is KC, if my wife and I get away for a game together it will be N.O. for New Years.

[pantherdad]

She is def bikini worthy.....

$10 says by the end of this tailgate Mrs. Pantherdad is posing in a bikini for Zod. Lucky fug.

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[pantherdad]

I went a couple of years ago, during their 10-6 season. There definitely were a lot of empty seats, very mild enthusiasm from the fans considering they were a playoff contender and were playing us when we were starting Clausen (which was a guaranteed W). The stadium itself isn't as nice as ours, but during their timeouts they actually show highlights and team themed commercials (instead of VIC cards). I actually sat just below the pirate ship when I went and it was not that bad.

thanks for the heads up

[PanthersATL]

Whos been before? Whats the fan experience like....is the pirate ship as ghey as it looks on TV?

I'll be there. TONS, TONS of parking availability, and with a 4p start, there's bound to be a crapload of tailgating drunkfests going on starting early. You shouldn't have any trouble finding parking around the stadium at all (typically $20). If only every stadium encouraged tailgating as much as I see in Tampa. I've never seen their tailgating lots filled up.

The fans are generally good-natured, and there are a ton of Panthers fans scattered around enough so you won't feel alone. I was at the 2003 opener where we won in OT http://scores.espn.g...ameId=230914027, and even with that tough loss for 'em, the Bucs fans were high-fiving me on an incredible win.

Sunscreen will be kinda important, no joke.

Food options are a bit limited in the upper decks. Last year IIRC were $7 beers, but that's about standard.

Going up and down the ramps from the upper decks is a bit of a pain; add some extra time for that experience. Security check is usually pretty easy and fast.

I like the pirate ship; then again, I like any stadium feature that makes a stadium completely unique and identifiable vs others. I also liked the original Carolina Panther Fight Song, so perhaps my opinion on the ship should be downgraded.