Host the ultimate game day party with the right screen setup, seating arrangement, classic food spread, drinks, halftime activities, and parking plan for your guests.
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TV & Screen Setup
Test your TV, cable, or streaming connection the day before
Streaming services can buffer during the Super Bowl due to massive traffic. If you are streaming, test the exact app and channel you plan to use. Have a backup plan — an antenna picks up the broadcast network for free and has zero lag.
Set up a second screen for overflow viewing
If you have 15+ guests, a second TV in an adjacent room or a projector on a blank wall prevents crowding. A portable projector with 2,000+ lumens costs $150-300 and can project a 100-inch image. Darken the room for the best picture quality.
Position the main TV at eye level for the majority of seats
Ideal viewing distance is 1.5-2.5x the screen's diagonal measurement. For a 65-inch TV, the front row should be 8-13 feet away. Angle the TV slightly downward if it is mounted high — neck strain kills the vibe by halftime.
Seating & Space
Arrange seating so everyone can see the screen
Place the couch and chairs in a U-shape or staggered rows facing the TV. For extra seating, use floor cushions, bean bags, or folding chairs. Count your seats before inviting — a standing-room-only party sounds fun but gets uncomfortable after 2 hours.
Create a separate food and drink area away from the TV
Set up the food table in the kitchen or a separate room so people can grab food without blocking the screen. This also reduces spills on the couch. Place napkins and small plates at the food station, not by the TV.
Clear floor space and move fragile items
Move coffee tables, vases, and anything breakable away from the main viewing area. Excited reactions during close plays knock things over every year. Tape down any cords or cables running across walkways to prevent trips.
Game Day Food
Prepare wings — budget 6-8 wings per person
Buy wings 2-3 days ahead when stores stock up for the game. Offer at least 2 sauce options: a classic buffalo and something milder like garlic parmesan or BBQ. Bake at 425 degrees for 45-50 minutes for crispy wings without deep frying.
Make 2-3 dips with chips and vegetables
Guacamole, buffalo chicken dip, and a seven-layer dip are the game day trinity. Make each dip in a quantity that serves 1 cup per 3-4 guests. Buy 2 bags of tortilla chips per 8-10 people — chips disappear faster than any other snack.
Set up sliders or a build-your-own sandwich station
Make 3 sliders per person as a main course option. Pre-form patties the night before and cook them in batches during the first quarter. A build-your-own setup with buns, pulled pork, coleslaw, and pickles lets guests customize and reduces your work.
Have pizza delivery on standby for halftime
Pre-order pizza for halftime delivery 2-3 days ahead — Super Bowl Sunday is the busiest delivery day of the year and wait times hit 90-120 minutes without advance orders. Order 1 large pizza per 3-4 guests.
Stock desserts: brownies, cookies, or a sheet cake
Football-shaped brownies or a team-colored sheet cake adds a fun touch for under $20. Set desserts out at halftime when people are already up and grazing. Keep portions bite-sized so people can snack without missing the third quarter.
Drinks & Cooler Setup
Stock beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks
Budget 3-4 beers per person for a 4-5 hour game. Buy 2-3 varieties to cover different tastes. Stock at least 1 non-alcoholic option per 4 guests — sparkling water, soda, and lemonade are low-effort crowd pleasers.
Fill coolers with ice and position them near the food area
A full cooler keeps drinks cold for 6-8 hours. Buy 2 bags of ice (40 pounds total) for 15-20 guests. Place the cooler in the kitchen or on the patio — not next to the TV where people reaching for drinks block the screen.
Set out a self-serve drink station to reduce host duties
Arrange cups, a bottle opener, and a trash can next to the cooler so guests serve themselves. A self-serve setup frees you from bartending and lets you actually watch the game. Label any specialty cocktails with ingredients and serving instructions.
Betting Pool & Activities
Print Super Bowl squares or set up a betting pool
A 10x10 squares grid with $5-10 per square creates a $500-1,000 pot that keeps everyone engaged regardless of team loyalty. Draw the numbers randomly after all squares are sold. Pay out per quarter to maintain excitement throughout the game.
Create a prop bet sheet for casual predictions
List 15-20 fun prop bets: first team to score, total touchdowns over/under, length of the national anthem, color of the halftime performer's outfit. Charge $5 entry and give the winner 60% of the pot. This keeps non-football fans entertained.
Plan halftime activities if guests are not into the show
A backyard football toss, cornhole tournament, or trivia round fills the 25-30 minute halftime break. Set up outdoor games before the party starts so they are ready to go. This keeps energy up during the longest break in the game.
Timing & Parking
Tell guests to arrive 60-90 minutes before kickoff
Kickoff is usually at 6:30 PM ET. Guests arriving at 5:00 PM have time to settle in, eat, and socialize before the game starts. This avoids the scramble of people arriving during the first drive and blocking the TV.
Clear driveway and street parking for guests
Move your cars to make room and identify 8-10 nearby street parking spots to mention in your invitation. If parking is tight, suggest carpooling — 2-3 fewer cars makes a big difference on a residential street.
Plan post-game cleanup and leftovers distribution
Have foil containers or ziplock bags ready so guests can take leftovers home. Most guests leave within 20-30 minutes after the game ends. Start collecting trash during the fourth quarter commercials to reduce the post-party cleanup to under 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do I need for a Super Bowl party?
Plan for 6-8 appetizer servings per person for the first half, plus a main food item (wings, sliders, chili) portioned at 1 serving per person, plus halftime snacks. A Super Bowl party of 15 guests needs roughly 80-100 wings, 3-4 dip options with chips, a main dish, and dessert. Guests eat 40% more during a Super Bowl than a regular party due to the 4+ hour event duration — over-prepare on food by 20%.
What time should a Super Bowl party start?
Start 1.5-2 hours before kickoff (which is typically 6:30 PM ET) — so 4:30-5:00 PM ET. This gives guests time to arrive, grab food and drinks, settle in, and socialize before the game demands attention. Pre-game shows start 4-6 hours before kickoff, so die-hard fans may arrive earlier. If you are in a Pacific time zone, a 2:30-3:00 PM start works well for an afternoon party that ends by 8 PM.
How much does it cost to host a Super Bowl party?
A home Super Bowl party for 15 guests costs $150-$350: wings or a main food item ($50-$100), appetizers and sides ($40-$80), drinks including beer ($50-$100), paper goods and decorations ($20-$40), and a squares pool or prop bet sheets ($0-$20 to print). Skip the catering and focus spending on a large TV or projector setup ($0 if you already have one, or $100-$200 to rent a projector and screen).
What are good Super Bowl party games besides watching the game?
Super Bowl squares (a 10x10 grid with random score assignments) is the most popular party game — charge $5-$10 per square and pay out quarterly or at the end. Prop bet sheets listing 20-30 wagers on game events (coin toss, first score type, halftime performer's first song) cost nothing to print and create engagement for non-football fans. A commercial rating scorecard where guests rank ads keeps casual viewers entertained during breaks.