2026 BYU football road tailgates: Parties with a purpose

In an environment that can easily be divisive, BYU is using tailgates to build unity in serving God's children

Author Jon McBride
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23FTB at Kansas 4420 (3)23FTB at Kansas 4420 23FTB at Kansas - BYU 1st Game in the Big 12 Conference 2023 BYU Football BYU-27 KAN-38 Photo by Nate Edwards/BYU September 23, 2023 © BYU PHOTO 2023 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
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BYU’s unofficial motto that’s found on the sign that greets visitors to campus states “enter to learn, go forth to serve.”

Those words inspire much of what happens at BYU, with the desire to help, lift and serve going well beyond the footprint of the Provo campus.

For the past five seasons, prior to each road football game, the BYU Alumni Association with local alumni chapters have spearheaded Cougs Care tailgates outside of road stadiums, branded as parties with a purpose. Those specific purposes have included food drives, book drives, clothing drives and more, all to benefit the local communities of BYU opponents. The broader purpose is to serve God’s children and bring a measure of unity in an environment and society that can so easily be divisive.

This season's tailgates will feature food, literacy and sports equipment drives. See the full tailgate schedule below. 

New this season, Cougs Care will also include a home event in association with First Down Provo, a free community celebration on Friday, September 11 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Old Courthouse County Grounds in downtown Provo. Fans attending the event are invited to donate canned food items benefiting Community Action Services and Food Bank, helping support local families facing food insecurity.

“For years we’ve seen BYU alumni around the globe making an impact wherever they live. Cougs Care projects allow our alumni, fans and friends to support the team on the road and come together to make a lasting impact in local communities.”

Michael JohansonBYU Alumni Association executive director

In the past three seasons, 30,000+ BYU alums, fans, friends and members of local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have attended the road tailgates. In 2023, they donated more than 1,800 books, 1,200 toys, thousands of pounds of food, as well as pillows, blankets and mattresses over the span of six tailgates. In 2024, a total of 5,800 items were collected and 5,000 pounds of food donated. In addition, The Church donated more than 40,000 pounds of food to local food banks in three of the host cities. In 2025, Cougar Nation donated more than 70,000 pounds of food and more than 7,000 books, and 1,000 coats and pairs of shoes.

The Church’s unique connection to BYU is integral to the Cougs Care efforts and also explains why BYU fans travel so well, with built-in BYU fanbases throughout Big 12 country and the broader United States.

A Closer Look at BYU's National Fanbase

You might notice more fans wearing royal blue in a road venue than you’d expect. While surely a percentage of those BYU fans that you’ll see in opponents’ stadiums made the trip from Provo, others will be friends and family of the players and staff, but the majority of BYU fans you’ll see at the game live within an immediate radius of that university.

The major reason for this is that BYU’s sponsoring institution is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This close affiliation builds strong affinity from many Church members, and with the Church’s far-reaching membership brings built-in BYU alumni and fans throughout the United States and the world. This creates a truly unique fan base that does, yes, travel well, but the majority are traveling a much shorter distance to the event than you might think.

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Below are the tailgates planned for this coming season. For those unable to attend the games in person, a link to support the projects digitally may also be available.

Visit alumni.byu.edu to see updated info through the season

Game: BYU @ Colorado State; Sept. 19, 5:30 PM MDT

  • Tailgate time: 2:30-4:30 PM MDT
  • Location: 951 Meridian Ave (Outside CSU Rec Center), Fort Collins, CO

BYU fans are invited to help local children develop strong reading skills by donating new children's books. Donations will support the Children's Speech & Reading Center, a nonprofit that provides literacy and speech-language services to children and families throughout northern Colorado. Donations will be accepted at the tailgate and online through this Amazon Wishlist.

Game: BYU @ TCU; Oct. 3, Game time TBA

  • Tailgate time: Friday, October 2, 6-8 PM
  • Location: Josey Ranch Athletic Complex, 1440 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton, TX

Because the Saturday sessions of the October 2026 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints coincide with the game weekend, the BYU Alumni tailgate will be held Friday evening. Fans attending the tailgate are encouraged to bring new children’s books to help foster a love of reading for local children and families. Donations will benefit Literacy United, which works to improve literacy outcomes and educational opportunities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Fans unable to attend may also contribute through this Amazon Wishlist.

Game: BYU @ UCF; Oct. 24, Game time TBA

  • Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
  • Location: Carillon Elementary School, 3200 Lockwood Blvd, Oviedo, FL

BYU fans can help fight food insecurity by donating nonperishable food items for students in need. Contributions will support Knights Pantry, a campus resource that provides food and essential items to UCF students experiencing financial hardship.

Game: BYU @ Utah;  Nov. 7, Game time TBA

  • Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
  • Location: BYU Salt Lake Center, 345 W North Temple, 3 Triad Center, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT

Fans are invited to donate new children's books to support literacy efforts for local elementary students. Books collected will be distributed through a collaborative effort between the BYU School of Education and the University of Utah College of Education to help children build strong reading foundations.

Game: BYU @ Kansas; Nov. 21, Game Time TBA

  • Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
  • Location: Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, 727 Kentucky St, Lawrence, KS

BYU fans are invited to donate new or gently used sports equipment to help local youth stay active and engaged. Donations will benefit the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, expanding access to recreational opportunities for children and families in the community.

Cougs Care is presented by BYU Continuing Education, whose partnership with the BYU Alumni Association helps create opportunities for Cougar fans to serve and connect in communities nationwide.