The New York Times - Picks we get a kick out of

A group of sports fans tailgating in a field in front of a sports stadium.

Photo: Ruth Peterkin / iStock

Whether you love the game, love the snacks, or just love the person who loves the game (stay strong), football season is upon us. While all you really need to enjoy it is the game and some good company, the right gear can level up the experience. Maybe this is the year you start making chili for the whole gang?

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We chatted with Jason Starrett, seasoned tailgater and deputy managing editor for The Athletic. After 30 years of attending tailgates, he has some advice for the rookie and pro alike.

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What an expert brings to a tailgate→

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Game day essentials

A television with a parrot on display is pictured on a credenza.

The best TVs

We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing TVs to find the best choices for any budget and room.

A person sits on a white couch with his feet up. He is on a laptop. A black dog is laying next to him.

A great sofa

You’re going to clock some hours on this thing. It’s worth getting one you love.

Our pick for best soundbar on a budget, the Yamaha SR-C30A, next to its subwoofer and remote control.

An immersive soundbar

A soundbar is the easiest, most affordable way to get a cinematic surround-sound experience at home. The crowd goes wild.

For snack breaks

Our three air fryer picks lined up behind a small bowl of fries. A slice of pizza is nestled in the instant mini's basket.

The best air fryer

Whip up fries, chicken tenders, or mozzarella sticks with ease using our top-pick air fryer.

Several boxes of frozen pepperoni pizza, some standing and some laying flat, along with a few warmed pepperoni pizzas resting on platters.

Pop a pizza in the oven

We taste-tested 12 widely available frozen pepperoni pizzas. Here are our favorites.

A few of our picks for best Countertop Ice Maker surrounded by ice-filled beverages.

Hustle on the ice

If you’re going to play bartender for the whole party, you might benefit from a countertop ice maker.

Our favorite fantasy sports app

A cartoon of people playing football on top of a phone screen

Illustration: Yann Bastard

Fantasy sports take the impulse to armchair-manage your favorite team and turn it into a dare: You think you’re such a tactical genius? Okay, then draft the players, choose who plays each week, and see how you do. You may not have a better game plan than Bill Belichick, but you might at least have a better sense of sports than your friends.

The best entry app for most people→

And if you’re likely to spend game days simply hiding out in a room nearby, might we suggest noise-cancelling headphones?

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The New York Times - Picks we get a kick out of

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