Investor Relations

Tour features two stops at CFP games, including the National Championship; NFL and college football legends; AMP Sports returns as media partner; Wendy’s and Skrewball Whiskey join as sponsors

 

NEW YORK – August 20, 2026 — The Athletes First Tailgate Tour, the premier traveling college football festival, returns for its fourth season with the largest schedule in tour history: 12 stops, including for the first time two College Football Playoff games, one of them the National Championship game. This year’s tour will have Visit Las Vegas as the presenting partner, and the return of Sinclair’s AMP Sports as the exclusive media partner.

 

The 2026 tour, which brings together NFL and college football legends, premium hospitality, and brand activations, kicks off Sunday, Sept. 6, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame. The Athletes First custom hauler will travel to each site, serving as the focal point of the action at each tour stop. The 55-foot vehicle features a dedicated hospitality space, VIP lounge, podcast studio, and live event stage.

 

As the tour’s exclusive media partner for the second consecutive year, AMP Sports will host live, original video podcasts recorded from eight stops across the schedule.

Visit Las Vegas joins as the tour’s presenting partner, a natural fit for a season that ends in Las Vegas with the College Football Playoff National Championship. Visit Las Vegas will connect with college football fans across all 12 stops throughout the season, building toward the tour’s arrival in Las Vegas for the title game on January 25, 2027.

 

The Athletes First Tailgate Tour presented by Visit Las Vegas schedule includes the following stops and AMP Sports programs:

 

1. Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI, Sept. 6
   Live show from The Echoes hosted by Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana.
2. Ohio State at Texas in Austin, TX on Sept. 11
   Live shows from The Script hosted by Cardale Jones, Chris “Beanie” Wells and Dave Holmes; and The Stampede hosted by Mack Brown, Vince Young, and Bob Ballou.
3. Oklahoma at Georgia in Athens, GA, Sept. 26
4. Miami at Clemson in Clemson, SC, on Oct. 2
5. USC at Penn State in State College, PA, Oct. 9
6. Alabama at Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, Oct. 16
   Live shows from The Riverside hosted by Phillip Fulmer, Erik Ainge, and Fred White.
7. Texas A&M at Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, Oct. 23
   Live show from The Dynasty hosted by AJ McCarron, Trent Richardson and Chris Stewart.
8. Oregon at Ohio State in Columbus, OH, Nov. 6
   Live show from The Script.
9. Texas at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA, Nov. 13
   Live show from The Stampede.
10. Texas A&M at Oklahoma in Norman, OK, Nov. 21;
11. College Football Playoff first round, Dec. 18-19 (location TBD);
    Live show from The Triple Option hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II and Rob Stone.
12. CFP National Championship in Las Vegas, January 25, 2027
    Live show from The Triple Option.

 

The tour also features a slate of brand partners activating on site throughout the season. Wendy’s returns as a sponsor and will activate at the first round of the playoffs and the National Championship in Las Vegas. Skrewball Whiskey will serve as a partner across all 12 stops on the tour, sampling its peanut butter-flavored whiskey with attendees at each tailgate and creating social content with pro football players and legends throughout the tour.

 

“Watching the Tailgate Tour grow from its first stop in 2023 into a season that now includes two College Football Playoff games has been incredible,” said Danielle Spencer, Vice President of Properties for Athletes First. “This year’s lineup gives our clients, media and brand partners and fans an even better tailgate experience at some of the biggest games and iconic venues in college football.”

 

“We’re thrilled to return for a second season with Athletes First and build on the success of last year’s Tailgate Tour. The tour gives our brand partners a powerful way to become part of the fan experience through live events, premium talent, original content and custom integrations that extend well beyond game day. With our biggest slate of live shows yet and stops at some of the most important games of the season, we’re excited to continue growing this partnership and create even more meaningful opportunities for new and returning sponsors to engage college football fans throughout the season,” said Eric Welles, SVP/Chief Sports and Digital Monetization Officer, Sinclair/AMP Media.

 

“Las Vegas is where college football’s biggest stage will shine in January, but the energy starts long before kickoff,” said Kate Wik, Visit Las Vegas Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re excited to celebrate the passion and unforgettable moments that make college football special in communities across the country, while also bringing a taste of the can’t-miss excitement awaiting fans in Las Vegas all season long.”

 

Introduced in 2023, the Tailgate Tour was designed by Athletes First, the premier NFL agency, to host football clients, their families, and friends at some of the most iconic venues and games in college football. Last year, the tour visited 11 of college football’s biggest matchups, where guests experienced premium hospitality and met the agency’s football clients and college football legends.

 

 

About Athletes First

Athletes First is the premier sports representation and marketing agency, guiding the careers of elite athletes, coaches, executives, and broadcasters. Since 2001, Athletes First has built a reputation for integrity, innovation, and impact across contract negotiations, marketing strategy, endorsement sales, and brand partnerships. The agency also produces dynamic live events and multiplatform content through its Emmy-nominated production division, GOAT Farm Media. For more information, visit athletesfirst.net or follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

 

About AMP Sports

AMP Sports, a division of Sinclair’s AMP Media, connects brands to passionate sports fans with national scale, regional impact and local relevance. AMP Sports distributes highly engaging programming across linear and digital platforms, powered by a growing slate of original video podcasts, including The Triple Option, Unfiltered Soccer, Post Moves, Throwbacks, Cousins and Style of Play. AMP Sports also produces and distributes a robust network of college and professional football shows. With trusted sports personalities and high-profile athlete hosts, AMP Sports delivers deep audience engagement and impactful brand integration.

 

Contacts:

Carmine N. Tiso for Athletes First, [email protected] or (917) 453-4296

Sinclair/AMP Sports: Jessica Bellucci, [email protected]