Americans More Likely to Homegate than Tailgate

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 9, 2015

According to a recent survey commissioned by leading appliance and electronics retailer hhgregg (NYSE: HGG), 70% of football fans would rather get together with friends at home to enjoy the game than actually go to the game. The homegate is not just reserved for the biggest game of the year, either, as 25% said they homegate at least four times per season.

"The emergence of new TV technology is one of the drivers of the rise in homegating in recent years," said Chris Sutton, Vice President of Marketing at hhgregg. "With new 4k-UHD curved televisions, you and your guests have a better view from the couch than the 50-yard line."

And speaking of your guests, as is usually the case: it's not where you are, it's who you're with. Some of the more intriguing hhgregg survey findings when it comes to the homegating guest list and halftime activity include:

• Will Ferrell was at the top of the party invite wish list, taking home 57% of the vote
• 34% said they prefer their dad at their homegate issuing those all-important in-game insights. Pops came in well ahead of Mike Ditka (24%), Jon Gruden and Troy Aikman.
• When Americans were asked which pro football legend most resembles their homegate, the number one answer was William "The Refrigerator" Perry, because with "The Fridge" it's all about the food.
• Halftime brings with it a less social – but more social – activity to the homegate as 1/3 of Americans said they focus on their social media at halftime, while only 23% go toss the pigskin around the backyard.

Though the TV is the quarterback of the homegate, the food is the star running back. Gone are the days of the charcoal pyramid and a match as 30% of Americans said the one item they'd want in order to upgrade their homegate was a new grill.

Grilled specialties might be the main dish, but for foods you've prepared leading up to the homegate, you'll need a refrigerator that can handle the load. With new features like organizing systems and special climate control variables, all downfield blocking will be handled so you can make the most of your homegate.

So as you sit next to your dad and tweet an invite to your next homegate to Will Ferrell at halftime, make sure you enter hhgregg's "Ultimate Fancave" contest at http://www.hhgregg.com/fan-cave so your homegate will go down as the homegate of the year.