In the heart of Chiefs Kingdom, where the roar of the crowd echoes off the rolling Missouri plains and the scent of slow-smoked meats hangs in the crisp Midwest air, one tailgate rises above the rest—both in spirit and scale. Nestled in the far reaches of the Arrowhead parking lots, beyond the shadow of Kauffman Stadium on Lancer Lane, the Lot J Tailgaters have built more than just a tailgate. They’ve built a movement. What started in 2016 with a few friends and a passion for Kansas City football has grown into a full-blown gameday phenomenon that embodies the best of Midwestern hospitality, culinary swagger, and community pride.

You know you’ve arrived at the right place when the Lot J flags are flying high over the crowd, DJs are spinning beats beneath a massive red-and-gold tent, and the air vibrates with music, laughter, and the clink of toasts being raised. A converted school bus painted in Chiefs livery stands like a monument, covered in signatures from players past and present, parked next to the now-legendary Game Day Trailer—fully outfitted with couches, flatscreens, and even two bathrooms. This isn’t just a tailgate. It’s Arrowhead’s biggest block party.

Founded by Chiefs superfans Josh Young, Nate Morrow, and a tight-knit crew including Chris White, Josh Schmutz, and Jeff Loecker, Lot J began with one guiding principle: make everyone feel welcome. After being embraced by a Texans tailgate during a 2016 playoff road trip, the group came home inspired to return the favor to visitors coming to Arrowhead. That gesture of kindness sparked a tailgate that’s since exploded to welcome thousands each gameday, with a Facebook group now topping 30,000 members and growing. Whether you're rocking red and gold or traveling in enemy colors, you'll find a cold drink, a hot meal, and a warm welcome waiting for you at Lot J.

 The food, of course, is legendary. With the help of Blended Vibes Catering and a rotating team of culinary MVPs, each game features a spread worthy of a backyard barbecue dream. Think 70 pounds of smoked pork butt, 60 pounds of grilled chicken, trays of creamy mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and the famous Lot J Poppers—handmade jalapeño bombs courtesy of South Dakota’s own Jeff Loecker. For playoff games, he’s been known to make upwards of 1,400 of them, joking that the secret ingredient is “Raider tears.” During the AFC Championship, fans were treated to 55 pounds of bison—grilled, baked into mac, and stuffed into bratwursts—thanks to a partnership with Batchelder Family Farms. It’s a culinary carnival unlike anything else in the NFL.

 But beyond the food and fanfare, it’s the traditions that truly set Lot J apart. Each tailgate kicks off with a pregame ritual—an epic chant and communal toast led by one of the original founders, uniting hundreds of voices in a moment that sets the tone for the day. You’ll find cornhole games, dancing crowds, and music blasting across three trailers while fans huddle under tents or lounge on couches catching the early games on any of the three 70-inch TVs powered by multiple satellite feeds. It’s a spectacle that has drawn NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, former Chiefs players, and fans from around the globe. When the Chiefs played in Germany, the Lot J Tailgaters were there. When Super Bowl LIV hit Miami, they hosted a rally in Fort Lauderdale that drew 16,000 fans. The crew’s Chop It Up Travel Club now helps coordinate road game events, tailgate tours, and Chiefs parties across the country.

 Lot J is fueled not only by love for the Chiefs but by a love for the experience of being part of something bigger. “In life, you always look to be something bigger than you,” said Loecker. “And this is definitely that—it’s contagious.” Whether it’s a local charity event, an impromptu photo op with Mahomes and Kelce cutouts, or just a group of strangers sharing bacon-wrapped steak, this crew creates memories that linger long after the final whistle.

 For Chiefs fans, Arrowhead Stadium is sacred ground, and tailgating is a ritual woven into the fabric of Kansas City life. Traditions like the Arrowhead Chop, the I Believe chant, Red Friday, and the honoring of fans through the Lamar Hunt Legacy Seat reflect a city that lives and breathes football. And no one represents that passion with more energy, creativity, or generosity than the Lot J Tailgaters. From early morning setup to the post-game breakdown, this crew pours their heart into every detail—just ask their wives, who know the “season” starts in July and doesn’t end until May.

So if you’re heading to Arrowhead, do yourself a favor: find the flags, follow the music, and step into Lot J. It might be the farthest lot from the stadium gates, but it’s the closest thing to home you’ll find on gameday.