What to Wear to a Football Game in Winter: A Cold-Weather Guide

Quick answer For a football game in winter, wear three layers: a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer such as fleece or a team hoodie, and a windproof, water-resistant outer jacket. Add insulated boots with wool socks, gloves, a beanie and a neck gaiter, and bring hand warmers and a blanket for the seat. Wear your jersey or team colors on the outside so you stay warm and still look the part.

Late-season football is the best football. The stakes are higher, the crowds are louder and the weather is part of the game. But knowing what to wear to a football game in winter is the difference between cheering through the fourth quarter and heading for the exits at halftime.

You'll be sitting still for three-plus hours, often after a long tailgate. This guide walks through the layering system, the extremities everyone forgets, how to wear your team gear over all of it, and what to pack in your bag.

How to layer for a cold football game

Layering beats one giant coat because you can adjust: warm on the walk in, cold in the second quarter, too warm in a packed concourse. Three layers handle all of it.

Base layer: keep sweat off your skin

The layer against your skin should wick moisture, not hold it. Look for thermal tops and bottoms made of merino wool or synthetic performance fabric. Skip cotton here: once it gets damp from the walk in or a long tailgate, it stays damp and pulls heat away from you.

Don't forget your legs. Thermal leggings under your pants matter, since your lower half is pressed against a cold seat all game.

Middle layer: trap the heat

This is your insulation. A fleece pullover, a quilted vest or a heavy team hoodie all work. A rule of thumb: the colder the forecast, the thicker this layer, while the base and outer layers stay about the same.

A team hoodie or quarter-zip pulls double duty here. It keeps you warm and it's the layer you'll show off when the concourse heats up.

Outer layer: block wind and moisture

Wind is what makes a cold game feel much colder than the forecast. Your outer jacket should be windproof and at least water-resistant, with a hood and enough room to fit over your other layers. For snow or freezing rain, a waterproof shell or a team parka keeps the layers underneath dry. Waterproof or water-resistant pants are worth it in sleet.

SHOPOfficial NFL Shop — outerwear and cold-weather gear →

Keep your hands, feet and head warm

A bundled core won't save you if your fingers and toes are numb. These are the items people forget.

Insulated boots and wool socks

Concrete stadium floors pull heat out of your feet for hours. Insulated, waterproof boots with good traction are the best choice, especially for icy parking lots and steep stadium steps. Pair them with wool or thermal socks, and avoid stacking so many pairs that your boots fit tight, since tight boots cut circulation and make your feet colder.

Gloves you can still use your phone in

Touchscreen-compatible gloves let you check scores, scan your mobile ticket and take photos without exposing your fingers. For bitter cold, mittens are warmer than gloves; some fans wear thin touchscreen liners under mittens and slip the mittens off when they need their phone.

A beanie, neck gaiter and ear protection

A team knit hat is the classic cold-game look for a reason. Add a neck gaiter or scarf to seal the gap at your collar, which is where wind sneaks in. For subzero wind chills, a balaclava or face covering protects your cheeks and nose.

Hand and toe warmers

Disposable air-activated warmers are small, light to pack and surprisingly effective. Tuck them in your gloves, your jacket pockets or the toes of your boots.

Find your team's cold-weather gear

How to wear your jersey to a cold game

You don't have to choose between staying warm and repping your team. You just have to think about the order.

Jersey over your layers

The easiest move is wearing your jersey on the outside of your middle layer, or even over your jacket. Jerseys are cut with room to move, and sizing up one size is a common trick for fitting one over a hoodie or a light coat. Our football jersey size guide explains how different jersey cuts fit if you're deciding which size to grab.

Team colors from head to toe

If a jersey won't fit over your outerwear, let the rest of your gear do the talking: a team beanie, a team scarf, team gloves or a team-color jacket.

Protect the jersey you love

Snow, slush and spilled hot chocolate are hard on fabric. If you're wearing a jersey you care about, check the care label afterward and let it dry fully before you put it away. Our guide on how to wash a jersey covers the details.

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What to bring to a cold-weather football game

What you carry matters as much as what you wear. Most stadiums have a clear-bag policy, so check your stadium's official website before you pack.

Stadium seat cushion and blanket

Aluminum and plastic seats get freezing cold. A stadium seat cushion puts insulation between you and the bench, and a team blanket over your lap and legs makes a big difference in the second half.

Extra layers and backups

• Spare socks in case your feet get wet in the lot
• An extra pair of gloves or liners
• A phone battery pack, since cold drains batteries faster

Warm food and drinks before you go in

A hot meal and a warm drink at the tailgate give you a head start. If you're tailgating before the game, our tailgating essentials checklist covers cold-weather setup, from canopy sidewalls to hot drinks in insulated tumblers.

What not to wear to a football game in winter

• Cotton next to your skin. It traps moisture and leaves you cold once you stop moving.
• Sneakers or canvas shoes. Slush soaks through quickly and cold concrete does the rest.
• One bulky coat with nothing under it. You can't adjust it, and you'll either sweat in the concourse or freeze in your seat.
• Brand-new boots. Three hours of standing and stairs is not the time to break them in.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to a football game when it's below freezing?

Wear a moisture-wicking base layer top and bottom, an insulating fleece or hoodie, and a windproof, water-resistant jacket. Add insulated boots, wool socks, mittens or insulated gloves, a beanie and a neck gaiter, and bring hand and toe warmers.

How do you stay warm sitting in the stands at a football game?

Insulate yourself from the seat with a stadium cushion, cover your legs with a blanket, and keep your hands and feet warm with insulated gear and warmers.

Can you wear a jersey over a winter coat?

Yes, if you size up. Many fans buy a jersey one size larger so it fits over a hoodie or light jacket. Over a heavy parka, a team hat, scarf or jacket in team colors may work better.

Are blankets and seat cushions allowed in NFL stadiums?

Policies vary by stadium, and clear-bag rules apply to most bags you carry in. Check your stadium's official website for its current rules on blankets, seat cushions and bags before game day.

What shoes should you wear to a winter football game?

Insulated, waterproof boots with good traction are the best choice. They keep your feet warm on cold concrete and dry in slush, and they grip on icy lots and stadium stairs.

Dress for the fourth quarter

The best plan for what to wear to a football game in winter is simple: layer smart, protect your hands, feet and head, and put your team colors on top. Dress for how cold it will feel late in the game, not how it feels when you leave the house.

Once your cold-weather kit is set, keep it packed with your tailgate gear so every late-season game is easy. Pair it with our tailgating essentials checklist, then find your team's official store to fill in the pieces you're missing.