Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s largest and longest running tailgate celebration is back to celebrate the return of the Eagles, sports fans and our city. DJ Smooth (Austin Sotoloff) and Smooth Event Group announce the 10th Anniversary Season for the Eagles Smooth Tailgate Party at Stateside Live! starting with the Eagles Home Opener on Sunday, September 13th – with events every single home game for 2026-2027. Hundreds of fans from around Philadelphia, Main Line, suburbs, South Jersey and the Shore will flock to South Philly for the most over-the-top and top quality go birds celebration.
Each event is four hours and includes DJ Smooth, guest and celebrity DJs, all the music hits, live music, game day vibes and surprises, covered semi-private space, preferred seating options, access to the game day watch party at Stateside Live! and their new upgraded entertainment spaces, and guaranteed admission to the game watch party even if it sells out (if entering during tailgate hours). Each Smooth Tailgate starts five hours before each game and they run for four hours – ending one hour before kick-off. All tickets include four hours of food and drink – with VIP tickets offering premium food and beverage options – and other perks. For 2026-2027, Smooth Tailgate debuts a newly upgraded season pass for every single home game and every single tailgate. Limited quantities of these are on sale and going fast. For more information and tickets, visit smootheventgroup.com/eagles-tailgate/
“Smooth Event Group is thrilled to invite Philly and Jersey out for the 10th Anniversary of the Smooth Tailgate – starting this weekend with the Eagles Home Opener,” said DJ Smooth (Sotoloff). “I started these tailgates back in 2016 as my company was just starting to grow. It was about the Birds, the fans, the music and the Linc in Parking Lot G. We brought the music and vibes and everyone came out for the party for the occasional game. We then grew to every home game, moved to a ticketed event and started to sell out.”
“We are so grateful to be part of each and every football season with all our favorite fans. People will come as far as the Jersey Shore, Delaware, Central PA, Bucks County – and all points in between. We are so honored to be able to offer an event that brings people together and so excited that this event has grown so much. Game Day in Philly is unlike anywhere else in the country and we are ready for a new season and to be part of the experience. We have invested a ton of energy and passion to ensure every single event this season will be over-the-top, unique and top quality – and unlike anything else out there. We can’t wait to see you starting Sunday! Go Birds!”
Smooth Tailgate is a story that is decades in the making – and showcases the evolution of DJ Smooth and Smooth Event Group from the early days to their growth today.
DJ Smooth got his start officially during college where he attended Kutztown University for Sports Management. He was playing music on his phone at frat and house parties and friends would joke he should be a DJ. Jokes aside, he took the nudge and went out and got his first sound board at a Black Friday sale in 2012. He started to play frat parties, local bars, dive bars and develop his craft and base of early fans.
By his junior year in 2012 into 2013, he was playing Atlantic City and Harrah’s After Dark. After college, he moved to Manayunk and continued to play Atlantic City, added on notable nightlife destinations like Ladder 15 and Mad River at its prime. By 2016, he formed Smooth Entertainment and started to get into the wedding business. In 2016 and into 2017, he started the now famous Smooth Tailgates.
By 2018, Smooth Entertainment and DJ Smooth would have a full circle moment as his love of the Eagles from growing up and watching the games with his Dad would now turn into him hosting this all new event during a record year and help launch the next phase of his career and company from the parking lot of the Linc.
Smooth Tailgates started to grow, wedding business continued to grow around 2019 – and by 2022 Smooth Entertainment took things up a notch and rebranded as Smooth Event Group. DJ Smooth went from being the primary DJ and attraction to now becoming a lead tastemaker and top young entrepreneur for a company that would today utilize and partner with over 50 DJs and nightlife professionals each year.
In 2022-2023, while the company evolved and grew, so did the Smooth Tailgates. They went indoors, became a ticketed event and took over then Xfinity Live – now today called Stateside Live!. From some home games to every home game, the parties grew as did demand and Eagles fans could ensure they had a seat at the table for pre-game and game day with a ticket to the event.
In 2023 and 2025, Smooth Event Group and DJ Smooth hosted two of the city’s largest big game Superbowl parties – selling out to 1,500 people at Crystal Tea Room.
Heading into 2026/ 2027, Smooth Event Group and DJ Smooth aim for their largest Smooth Tailgate season yet – outpacing all other years and the season hasn’t started. The roster of DJs is over 50 for the year, and Smooth Event Group now specializes in offering the big picture – live music, content creation, event services and more for weddings, corporate events and nightlife.
DJ Smooth grew up in Bucks County and currently lives in Fishtown. His goal for the next phase of his Philadelphia story is continue to grow the business, foster the next generation of great Philly and Jersey DJs and nightlife professionals, and continue to be part of the two most special days in the lives of our locals: Eagles game day and their wedding day.
“My story is really about our city and our sporting fans,” added DJ Smooth. “Fans would come to our tailgates, our big game parties, our nightlife events and get to know us and our style. They would look forward to celebrating their favorite traditions with us – and as they grew up their relationship would extend from one year dancing with me at a tailgate to three years from now having us host their wedding and family gathering. I love our city and our fans – and I am so blessed to be able to do what I do each and every day.”
SMOOTH TAILGATE 2026-2027
For 10 years, Smooth Event Group has brought Eagles fans together before kickoff for an all-inclusive tailgate experience featuring great food, drinks, DJs, entertainment and thousands of passionate Birds fans. Now, with our move to the newly expanded Stateside Live!, the Smooth Tailgate is getting even bigger.
Whether you’re heading into the Linc or simply looking for an unforgettable Eagles tailgate party near Lincoln Financial Field, this is where Philadelphia game day starts.
Each tailgate is a four-hour pregame experience designed to give Eagles fans everything they need before heading to the stadium — without worrying about hauling grills, coolers, tents or supplies into South Philly.
Hosted by DJ Smooth and Buster from Q102, each Smooth Tailgate features music, entertainment and a rotating surprise guest DJ, creating a true game-day party atmosphere before the Birds take the field.
TICKET OPTIONS
Tickets are on sale now. General admission includes:
* Four hours, 750 people, celebrity and guest DJs
* DJ Smooth and all the gameday music hits
* Live music, big game day vibes and surprises
* Food and drink included in tickets
* Complementary four hour beverage service
* Complimentary tickets to STAY for the game watch party
* Guaranteed admission to the game watch party
VIP tickets are available including:
* VIP food upgrades
* VIP drink upgrades
* VIP covered semi-private space with preferred seating
SEASON PASS
Smooth Tailgate Season Pass now available. Planning on attending multiple Eagles tailgate parties this season? A Smooth Tailgate Season Pass gives you admission to all regular-season home Smooth Tailgates at Stateside Live!
* Entry to every regular-season home Smooth Tailgate
* Unlimited food and beverages during each event
* Access to a semi-private covered space
* Seating
For Eagles fans who plan on spending most home games in South Philly, it’s the easiest way to make the Smooth Tailgate part of your game-day tradition all season long.
NEW HOME
The Smooth Tailgate is now located at the PBR Backyard at Stateside Live!, giving Eagles fans a completely upgraded tailgate environment in the middle of Philadelphia’s Stadium District.
Stateside Live! is located at:
1100 Pattison AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19148
That puts the Smooth Tailgate right in the middle of the action and just steps away from Lincoln Financial Field. The new location gives us more room to create the type of Eagles pregame party we’ve always wanted with food, drinks, entertainment, covered areas and an atmosphere built specifically for game day.
TAILGATE WITHOUT THE WORK
There’s nothing quite like tailgating before an Eagles game but anyone who’s done it knows how much work can go into it. You need parking. Food. Drinks. Ice. Tables. Chairs. A grill. Setup. Cleanup. The Smooth Tailgate gives you the atmosphere of a massive Philadelphia Eagles tailgate without any of the hassle.
Your food is ready.
Your drinks are ready.
The DJ is already playing.
And you’re surrounded by Eagles fans in the heart of South Philly.
All you have to do is show up.
CONNECT
For tickets and season passes visit:
smootheventgroup dot com/eagles-tailgate/
For more about Smooth Event Group, visit :
smootheventgroup dot om
Follow and join the game day energy:
instagram dot com/smootheventgroup