For any football fan, the most exciting event of the year is almost here. Even if your team hasn't made it, the Super Bowl is the perfect excuse to gather your friends and family for an afternoon of fun, food, and football. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just there for the commercials, our Super Bowl party ideas are sure to score big and make your gathering the MVP of the season. We'll cover everything from food ideas to décor and games that will keep your guests cheering all night long!
Food | Drinks| Decorations | Games
Super Bowl food ideas
Food is by far one of the most important aspects of any Super Bowl party, with 79% of fans saying food and drink is their biggest purchase in preparation for the event (National Retail Federation). In fact, aside from Thanksgiving, Americans eat more on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year.
A buffet-style menu is always best, so everyone can help themselves as they watch the action unfold. But that doesn't mean you can't get creative with your spread. Serve up a winning lineup of delicious delights, from game day classics to more creative snack ideas. These Super Bowl food ideas are bound to score major points with your guests. To split the responsibility and cost of catering, ask guests to bring a dish each and turn your party into a Super Bowl potluck.
Classic Super Bowl party food
Finger foods and appetizers that can be eaten without taking your attention away from the big game always go down a treat, and the Super Bowl plays host to our favorite classics. Some of the most popular Super Bowl party foods include:
- Chicken wings
- Chips with salsa or spinach and artichoke dip
- Pizza
- Pigs in blankets
- Jalapeño poppers
- Sliders
- Nachos
- Loaded cheese fries
- Chilli (why not try our cast iron chilli recipe?)
If you're in the mood for something a little different, you can add a new twist to some game day classics. For example, serve mini sloppy joes instead of burger sliders or try making your own homemade pizzas. Our past summer recipes include a series of delicious pizza ideas, from a classic margherita and pepperoni to Hawaiian and butternut squash. Feel free to get creative and experiment with flavor combinations — why not mix and match a few game day snacks with a chicken and jalapeño pizza?
Looking for healthy Super Bowl snacks? Swap one or two options for vegetable alternatives. For instance, swap your chicken wings for buffalo cauliflower bites and serve up crudités and hummus in place of chips and dip.
Super Bowl grilling ideas
Although February isn't peak BBQ season, if you live in one of the warmer states, you might want to fire up the grill and prepare a few Super Bowl recipes. To ensure you don't miss out on any of the action, choose simple BBQ recipes that can be grilled slightly ahead of time, such as our spiced BBQ chicken and Hasselback potatoes and zucchini and halloumi skewers. Serve up a few extra BBQ classics like pork ribs and corn on the cob. For even more ideas, take a look at our guide to hosting the perfect BBQ party.
Super Bowl party platter ideas
For the ultimate snacking feast, create a Super Bowl charcuterie board complete with game-day classics as well as some continental additions. Provide a selection of cheeses and cured meats, as well as small bowls of olives and classic American nibbles such as pickles, peanuts, pretzels, and pecans — it is the Super Bowl after all! Serve everything on a ceramic platter or wooden board and finish it off with a bunch of grapes for some sweetness. For even more Super Bowl party platter ideas, read our tips for making the best charcuterie board.
Super Bowl dessert ideas
Room for something sweet? As with your Super Bowl appetizers, small nibbles and finger foods work best for dessert. Lean into the theme with football-shaped cookies and brownies and serve up bowls of game-day popcorn complete with chocolate candy — for an extra sporty touch, only use candy in team colors.
Chocolate-covered strawberries are another great Super Bowl dessert idea. Dip fresh strawberries in milk chocolate and leave them to set, then add white chocolate laces to make your strawberries look like miniature footballs. Our cookie sandwiches would also make great Super Bowl snack ideas. Again, dress them up by dipping them in sprinkles in team colors, or use food coloring for the buttercream filling.
Super Bowl drink ideas
Although beer is the most popular drink to enjoy during the Super Bowl, you can still offer up some alternative options for guests to enjoy. A classic shandy never goes amiss, but you could try something new by whipping up some beer margaritas. Simply combine a can of your favorite light beer with ½ cup tequila, ¼ cup triple sec, ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, and a tablespoon of simple syrup in a pitcher. Stir everything together and pour into four prepared lowball glasses.
If you're looking for non-alcoholic Super Bowl drinks, consider mixing two American classics, iced tea and lemonade, to make some refreshing Arnold Palmers. Or whip up some touchdown punch by combining a cup each of pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and club soda with two cups of ginger ale. Add berries and orange slices and serve in large tumblers over ice.
Super Bowl decoration ideas
With your Super Bowl menu ideas in the bag, it's time to start planning your Super Bowl party decorations. Paper bunting is always a great option for any event and can be used to decorate your walls or your table. Better yet, many paper options can be recycled once your party is over. Alternatively, make your own paper chains using strips of construction paper in team colors.
Another Super Bowl decoration idea is to turn your snack table into a concession stand. Use a chalkboard, dry erase board, or peg board to create a menu. Not only does this look effective, but it lets everyone know what all your tasty snacks are.
You can use whatever tableware you have for your Super Bowl themed party, but if you'd like to channel the spirit and aesthetic of the field in your buffet table setting, choose deep grassy greens. Our Greenwich and Statements collections would be perfect. Choose one or two serving pieces such as a serving platter or serving bowl, or a set of bowls for snacks and dips. To transform your glassware into game-day drinking glasses, use white tape to create a football lace design on the side.
Super Bowl party games
Finally, it wouldn't be a party without a few games. Although the Super Bowl will be your main form of entertainment, one or two fun games will add even more excitement to your evening. Remember to tailor your Super Bowl party games to the preferences of your guests and have prizes on hand to add an extra layer of competition! Below are some game ideas you might want to try out.
Super Bowl trivia
A quiz is always a great choice when it comes to party games. Test your guest's football knowledge with some Super Bowl trivia related to players, teams, and past games. Use this as an opportunity to break the ice and settle into your party before the game starts or save it for a bit of friendly competition at halftime.
Super Bowl predictions
The anticipation is all part of the Super Bowl fun. Before kickoff, ask guests to channel their inner sports analyst by making predictions on various game outcomes, from the first team to score and the total points scored to the coveted MVP. As the game progresses, the excitement builds as participants eagerly await the results. Remember to award small prizes to those whose predictions align with the final score.
Commercial rating game
Of course, the game isn't all we're excited about this Super Bowl Sunday. The commercials have become their own phenomenon that many of us look forward to each year. To keep everyone engaged and entertained during the ad breaks, why not turn the commercials into a ranking game? Simply work as a group to rank each one from your favorite to least favorite based on creativity, humor, and personal preferences. As new commercials air, you may just knock your top commercials down a spot.
With the most anticipated day in the sporting calendar approaching, it's time to start planning your Super Bowl watch party. From touchdown-worthy tableware to unforgettable game day tips, we hope our guide has inspired moments of connection and shared delight.
As you plan your next gathering, explore Denby's exquisite tableware collections to elevate every occasion. Your Super Bowl legacy is not just in the game; it's in the details, the laughter, and the shared meals that make each celebration uniquely yours. Shop our game day tableware for a wide range of plates, bowls, serveware, and glasses to make your Super Bowl party a stylish and unforgettable event.