Four foods left. Two matchups. Your vote could win $1,000 prize
· Yahoo Sports
The Final Four of the Great American Tailgate challenge has arrived, and the bracket has tightened into four iconic foods representing some of the strongest regional traditions in the country. USA TODAY and the Pro Football Hall of Fame continue to spotlight the dishes that define game‑day culture across all 32 NFL cities — and after three intense rounds of voting, only four contenders remain.
- Carolina’s Eastern Carolina pulled pork enters the semifinals after edging out Buffalo wings in one of the closest battles of Round 3, proving that slow‑smoked, vinegar‑kissed barbecue can stand toe‑to‑toe with a national favorite.
- Green Bay bratwurst advanced with a confident win over Houston ribs, carrying decades of Midwestern tailgate heritage into the next round.
- On the other side of the bracket, New York sausage and peppers moved on after a competitive but clear victory over LA street tacos, setting up a coast‑to‑coast showdown.
- And Philadelphia cheesesteaks arrive as the bracket’s most dominant performer, surging past Nashville hot chicken with one of the widest margins of the round.
The challenge is a joint partnership between USA TODAY and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who are teaming up for a nationwide celebration of the foods that define football culture across all 32 NFL cities.
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Every vote cast not only helps your favorite tailgate food advance toward the championship — it also enters you into a giveaway for a $1,000 Pro Football Hall of Fame merchandise gift card. One lucky fan will walk away with the chance to stock up on Hall of Fame apparel, collectibles, and memorabilia.
This contest is part of a nationwide celebration in Canton highlighting the food identity of all 32 NFL cities — a showcase of regional pride, fan passion, and the traditions that make tailgating one of America’s greatest rituals.
Vote for your favorite tailgate food
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What to know about Great American Tailgate bracket challenge
- No purchase is necessary to vote or enter the giveaway.
- You must be 21 or older and a legal U.S. resident (excluding Hawaii and Puerto Rico).
- Each fan can cast one vote per round, per day.
- Every valid vote equals one entry into the giveaway for a $1,000 Pro Football Hall of Fame gift card.
- Voting happens only on the SQWAD platform.
- The Sponsor may disqualify votes or voters for fraud, duplicate accounts, or suspicious activity.
- The food bracket winner receives recognition only — no prize.
- The giveaway winner will be notified around August 10, 2026.
- All disputes must be resolved through arbitration, as described in the official rules.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Four foods left. Two matchups. Your vote could win $1,000 prize