21 Fun Ideas for Hosting the Ultimate Super Bowl Party

A Party with Football and Fun

Watching the Super Bowl is only half the fun. Invite friends and family over to watch the biggest game of the year, and celebrate with good company and conversation. Pump up the festivities with football-theme decorations and kick off your game-day menu with the delicious appetizers, desserts, and fresh beverages that follow.

Football Party Buffet Decor

Set an all-star table using our party kit to create football banners and foam fingers, plus signage for the drink recipes below! All you need is a color printer and a pair of scissors.

DIY Football Tablecloth

It's easy to add a few festive touches to your watch party set-up. We used a large roll of kraft paper ($6, Target), masking tape and white number stickers to turn the snack table into a fun (an inexpensive!) football field. Pair it with our tailgate-approved snack ideas for the ultimate football snack table.

DIY Jersey Coasters

With the drinks and camaraderie flowing, it can be hard to keep track of which beverage is yours. The solution? Sip in style with homemade jersey coasters! Choose colors that represent both teams (fair play, people), then stamp a set of store-bought corkboard coasters with a popular player's number to help you keep track. Claim a jersey number and use that coaster to keep track of which party drink is yours.

Super Party Bingo

Keep fans on the edges of their seats all party long with homemade bingo cards like this one from Studio DIY. The rules are easy-peasy: Watch the Super Bowl (and the commercials) for appearances of the numbers and symbols on your card. Use pistachios or other fun party nuts as markers. The first person to fill a row wins.

Penalty Flag Party Favors

The only penalty at this party is if you forget to take home a favor! Start with colorful tissue paper or thick party napkins, then wrap and fill with fun take-home goodies like cinnamon-roasted nuts or chocolate-covered raisins. A rubber band or twist-tie keeps the treats in place.

Football Cookie Dough Pops

Sports-themed desserts are a must-have snack if you're having people over to watch the Super Bowl. And these football cookie dough pops are seriously easy to make; cut football shapes from cookie dough and insert craft sticks ($3, Target) to each cookie dough football. Dip the shapes in dark chocolate; when they're dry, pipe melted white chocolate to finish the classic football design.

Spicy Wings Blitz

Buffalo wings are always a fan-pleaser when football is in season. Trade the tried-and-true BBQ version for one of these spicy wing recipes that no one will want to pass up: Ragin' Cajun, Fiery Chipotle, and Hot Habañero. Plus, you can make these wings up to a week in advance and grab them from the fridge just before the party starts.

Spicy Cheese (Foot)Ball

This spicy cheese-ball-turned-football is the perfect snack to eat while watching the Super Bowl. Shape our delicious cheese ball recipe into a pointed oval and cover the cheese mixture with crispy bacon so it resembles a football. Don't forget to add cheese strips to form the football's lines. See more of our favorite football-shaped foods!

DIY Food Cards

Help guests make the right (food) play with homemade table cards. Download our free party kit for the cute, printable cards. Who knew a Super Bowl bash could be so fancy?

Pumpkin Football Cakes

When you host a Super Bowl party, it only makes sense to serve football-shaped treats. Our pumpkin cake whoopie pies with buttercream frosting are sure to score you the extra point with guests!

Beer Fan Cocktails

Offer a twist on beer for guests who like to try something new. This fruity cocktail builds on classic wheat beer by adding a tropical twist.

Scoring Sliders

Burgers are often in the starting lineup at football parties and tailgates. Bite-size sliders make perfect portions to mingle with other appetizers on your Super Bowl buffet, and these cheese-stuffed sausage patties are a delicious alternative to traditional ground beef.

Bowl-Ready Brownies

Earn the trophy for Most Spirit with these sporty brownies. Simply use a football-shape cookie cutter to carve these winning treats from a tray of brownies, then pipe on the frosting.

Kicky Chicken

Run a trick play on the traditional game-day wings that will have your football fans cheering. These low-cal chicken nuggets—breaded in panko crumbs and dipped in a cool cilantro-ranch dressing—are a delicious variation on the favorite football snack.

Frosted Football Cake

When it comes to winning desserts for your Super Bowl party, this one takes the cake. Deck your choice of cake—vanilla, chocolate, marble, or even pumpkin— in a lush heap of green and white frosting to mimic a football field. Use a pastry bag with a ridged tip to create the grass and a smaller round tip for the numbers and lines. Chocolate frosting takes the 50-yard line in the form of a cute mini football.

Winning Snack Mix

Snack mix is a crowd favorite at any gathering. Hot pepper sauce gives pita chips, cereals, and nuts an energetic boost in this recipe.

Editor's Tip: Raise the convenience level of this easy, traditional snack by serving it in individual helpings. Use martini glasses, ice cream sundae cups, or cozy ceramic mugs, depending on your party's style, to make the snack mix ready to travel from table to TV room.

Nonalcoholic Drink Option Play

This tangy beverage—kicked up with a jalapeno chile pepper—is a perfect complement to Mexican appetizers and other spicy nibbles on your Super Bowl spread. It offers a festive option for party guests who choose nonalcoholic drinks.

Frozen End-Zone Treats

These ice cream bars will delight fans of all ages on game day. Since you'll want to keep them frozen, bring them out at halftime when everyone is buzzing around the food table.

Championship Pineapple Cake

Bring on that energy spike for the second half when you add this delicious cake to the food spread. It's a winner at any football party.

Appetizer and Beverage Quantity Charts

Frenzied football fans can work up quite an appetite. How much food and drinks will your guests need while you watch the Super Bowl? Use our easy appetizers quantity guide and beverage quantity guide to prepare.