Check out the best grills, tents and seating options for your next tailgate party. (Courtesy of Wayfair.com)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s time for touchdowns, tackles and tailgate parties. Yes, football season has arrived, but you won’t need a quarterback to get a party play in motion if you’ve got the right essentials.

Today’s tailgate grills are better than ever. The newest models from Coleman and Weber are portable, yes, but you won’t sacrifice the comforts of you backyard grill as you set up in the parking lot of your favorite stadium, whether it be to cheer on a professional or college team, high school players or pee-wee superstars.

After you line up your best grill, take a look at tents, caddies and a few other must-haves to make for the most comfortable, enjoyable tailgate ever hosted. Stock up at Amazon.com or Lowe’s.com while the shelves are full, and you’ll be all set for seasons to come.

Among the tailgate options by Weber are a rolling grill, above, and smaller, tabletop version. (Courtesy of Weber)

When it comes to tailgate grills, what you need most is portability. You’ll want it small enough to fit into your trunk, or collapsible and easy to transport. The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill fills the bill easily. It even has all-terrain wheels, for easy transport wherever needed. Small propane cans are used to fuel it, safely and economically. You can get it at Lowe’s for $399.99. If you want something smaller, Weber has a tabletop version for $259.99, with a grill surface that is just a bit smaller. Coleman has a few good ones that have been on the market for years, including the Roadtrip standing propane grill. You can find it now on Amazon.com for just $229.99. Another option is the Cuisinart All Foods stainless steel rollaway gas grill. It’s on Amazon.com now for only $193.54.

A tailgate awning keeps you protected from sun or rain, and leaves you access to your vehicle's trunk. You can find this one on Amazon.com. (Courtesy of Elikoya)

Though you might think you can predict the score, nobody can predict the weather. In sunny skies, drizzle or downpour, you’ll be glad to have a portable tent at the ready to keep your tailgaters happy.

If you drive an SUV or mini-van, the SUV Tailgate Shade Awning Tent is lightweight, durable and tear resistant. It attaches to your opened rear door. It’s full-size tarp that’ll provide a good amount of shade (60 to 76 square feet, depending on the setup) and protection, leaving you access to your SUV’s trunk for essentials or seating. It cal also be used with steel posts as a stand-alone tent for picnics and festivals. You can find it on Amazon.com now for $80.99.

Other great choices for shade we found include the Napier Sportz Cove 61500 Mid-to Full-Dize SUV Tailgate Shade Awning Tent. It fits mid-to-full size CUVs, SUVs, and minivans, providing over two feet of awning. And a mesh screen keeps insects out of your vehicle. It’s a good deal at $149.99 on Amazon.com.

If you need more shade for a bigger crowd, you’ll need a 12-foot-by-12-foot E-Z Square Pop-Up Canopy. This updated model features a cool Clear Span center, so there are no annoying crossbars and more headroom. It comes with a carry bag and four spikes and is on sale now for $124 on Lowes.com.

Custom square canopies that feature the name of your favorite NFL or NCAA team can be found at E-Zup.com.

This stainless-steel grilling set by Jummico makes a great gift. Find it on Wayfair.com. (Courtesy of Jummico)

You’ll need tools at the ready to be the best tailgate host, and having them all in one place will make the job easier. That’s why we like the Poligo 22-piece Camping Grill Utensils Set. It includes a barbecue spatula, grill tongs, fork, meat knife, four skewers, eight corn holders, salt and pepper shakers, a silicone basting brush, grill cleaning brush, replaceable head of grill brush and aluminum storage case. It’s on sale now on Amazon.com for $25.49. Cuisinart offers a 13-piece portable set, on sale now on Amazon.com for $22.99. And if you looking for something a little more high-end, or searching for a great gift, the Jummico 24-piece set, in stainless steel, will fill the bill perfectly. It’s featured on Wayfair.com right now for $93.27, a 43% discount off its usual price.

A cool caddy will make game day less hectic. Find this one one, by Fangsun, on Amazon.com. (Courtesy of Fangsun)

It can get hectic on game day, so why not keep all the essentials together with a nice caddy? The Fangsun Large Grill Utensil Caddy not only organizes condiments, but has three hanging hooks, a spot for the paper plates and a paper towel rack. You can get it on Amazon.com for $38.99. right now.

What’s a tailgate without a game of corn hole? Wayfair.com has several portable options, including a few with patriotic themes, carrying cases, made of solid wood or lighter-weight materials.

This folding director's chair supports up to 300 pounds for sideline comfort. (Courtesy of Oniva)

Oniva’s best folding director’s chair, made of aluminum and nylon canvas, can hold up to 300 pounds. It is the perfect perch when the grilling’s done and you want to be comfortable on the sidelines. Get it in the colors of your favorite NCAA football team on Wayfair.com for $149.99. It features a padded seat and armrests, a fold-out side table, a hanging arm rest caddy for holding books and magazines, two insulated beverage pockets and a variety of additional pockets.

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