Are you trying to figure out how to host a Super Bowl party? If this is your first time hosting the big game, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. What do you even do? What is a Super Bowl party anyway? What are you supposed to eat or do? 

You may notice that some businesses never say “Super Bowl.” They call it the “Big Game” instead. Why can't you say Super Bowl? As a normal person, you can still host a Super Bowl party, but because the name is technically trademarked, businesses aren’t supposed to use it. Don’t worry, though. The NFL won’t come after your house party. 

Are you ready to start party planning? Let’s break down everything you need to know to throw a fun Super Bowl party for your friends. 

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• Super Bowl Party Ideas for Adults
• Super Bowl Party Food
• Super Bowl Party Games
• Super Bowl Party Decorations

Super Bowl Party Ideas for Adults

From making the Super Bowl food to coming up with fun games, there’s a lot to do when you’re hosting a Super Bowl party. Being the host with the most is no easy task! Are you ready for the challenge? 

If so, we’ve got plenty of Super Bowl party ideas for you broken up into different categories so you can start planning ahead. If you’re nervous about even making appetizers, don’t worry. Now might be the perfect time to take a few cooking classes so you’re all ready for the big game.

Let’s break down some Super Bowl party ideas so you and your guests can have a blast. 

1. Make a Custom Party Beverage

Have you always wanted to make your own designer custom cocktail for a party? Sure, Super Bowl parties may generally feature beer, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t include your own fancy drink. Consider taking mixology classes to learn how certain liquors pair with mixers. You can even make two drinks (in team colors, of course) so both sides get their own drink.

2. Design Fun Invitations

Nice invitations are uncommon for casual parties now due to most people using social media to invite their friends over, but we think there’s something charming about a paper invitation. Design custom invitations resembling football tickets or team jerseys and send them to your friends for an extra special touch. 

3. Encourage Over-the-Top Team Spirit

How should you dress for a Super Bowl party? If you’re any fun, you should go as over-the-top as possible. Encourage your guests to do the same! Jerseys, face paint and even socks in team colors should all be part of the party dress code. It makes everything more festive and exciting when everyone is willing to play along and get silly with it. 

4. Set Up a Betting Pool

Don’t let the only friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition be between the players on the field. If you’re up for a bit of risk, set up a betting pool between your guests. You can bet money or fake money if you want something lower-stakes. Keep bets reasonable so everyone can enjoy the party stress-free, but there’s still something at stake to keep the party interesting and engaging. 

5. Do Super Bowl Predictions

Do you want to play fortune teller with your friends? Evaluate your intuition by making Super Bowl predictions. Have guests predict game outcomes, the MVP and the scores. You can also make predictions about the commercials if you want a bit more to compete on. 

6. Offer Prizes for Games

Later in this article we’re going to discuss some entertaining Super Bowl games you can play at your Super Bowl party. We recommend offering prizes to winners to up the stakes and make the party just a bit more interesting. The prizes can be small trinkets, like stickers or keychains. They don't have to be anything too serious!

Super Bowl Party Food

Can you say Super Bowl Party without talking about Super Bowl food? What are the top 5 Super Bowl party foods, anyway? It’s not that easy to judge. There are so many delicious foods you can serve on the day of the big game. It can also be fun to set your Super Bowl party up as a potluck. That way, everyone can bring something to munch on and share!

Not sure what to make? No worries. We’ve come up with a few simple and popular football party food ideas so you can pick and choose the ones that work best for your guests. 

1. Classic Game-Day Snacks

Everyone loves the classic game day snacks we’ve all come to expect at Super Bowl Parties like chips and dips, wings, sliders and pizza. They've become classic elements of any game day dining table. We recommend having a variety of chips and dips for guests to mix and match. Pair some tortilla chips with salsa and cheese. Serve potato chips with sour cream and onion dip. 

For wings and pizza, it can be incredibly gratifying to make your own, however, you can also task people with bringing in their favorite types. This way, everyone can mix and match wings and slices. There’s something comforting about chowing down on a greasy slice of pizza while your favorite team dominates the game; or consoling if they're losing.

2. Team-Inspired Food

Serve dishes representing the competing teams' hometowns if you’re willing to get a bit creative. For example, you could serve Kansas City BBQ if the Kansas City Chiefs make it to the big game, or Philly cheesesteaks if the Philadelphia Eagles make it. This is a lot of fun and it’s far more interesting than the classic Super Bowl foods if you’re getting bored of snacks, wings and pizza. 

3. Finger Foods

Are you trying to do something a bit more elevated for your game day food? It can be a lot of fun to serve more “elegant” little treats, especially if you have a more put-together party. We recommend making things like mini quiches, deviled eggs, meatballs and other finger food ideas for your guests. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can also serve little finger sandwiches in a variety of flavors. This also gives you the option to serve things that suit more diverse palates. 

4. Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie board ideas are still trending, and for good reason. They’re absolutely perfect for snacking. There’s typically something on a well-made board for everyone. You can have everyone bring in their own ingredients to build out the board. You want a variety of cured meats and cheeses, as well as tasty vessels for those meats and cheeses. Tiny toasts and crackers all make perfect vessels. You can also get some fruits and vegetables, as well as tasty spreads like jams and mustards. This way, every bite is unique. 

5. Sweet Treats

Do not finish your game day prep without considering a few sweet treats. Who doesn’t want a tasty dessert after a full meal of greasy and savory snack foods. Consider some festive touchdown-themed desserts like football field brownies or team-colored cupcakes. Don’t be afraid to go a bit over-the-top with your colors and designs. 

Super Bowl Party Games

Sure, the “big game” might be on TV, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also play a game or two with your party guests. These games will keep the party lively during commercial breaks or before and after the game. They’re also great for anyone who is attending but isn’t totally engaged in the game (after all, some people just want to socialize, and there’s nothing wrong with that). 

Here are a few fun games to try with your Super Bowl party guests. 

1. Commercial Bingo

Everyone knows that one of the best parts of the Super Bowl is the wacky commercials that companies come up with. Use them for games! This will keep everyone engaged throughout the game, even when no one is playing on the screen. Create bingo cards with commercial-related terms or ideas and see how many people can cross off. 

2. Super Bowl Trivia

What about a game for more serious football fans? Super Bowl trivia can be a lot of fun. You can even do it in the form of a Jeopardy game. Test your guests’ knowledge of football history, teams and players.

3. Pre-Game or Post-Game Flag Football

You don’t want to interrupt the big game for a rough and tumble game of amateur football, but flag football is one of the most fun tailgate games as long as you have a lot of space. Do it before the game starts or after it’s over to burn off some energy and get nice and hungry for more game-day snacks. It’s a great Super Bowl party game for all ages (though be gentle if you’re playing with kids!).

4. Football-Themed Charades

This one is a bit silly, but after a few custom Super Bowl party cocktails it can be a lot of fun. Divide guests into teams for a fun charades game. Put a few terms or ideas on pieces of paper for guests to pull from a football helmet. They can include things like “touchdown” or “halftime show.” 

Super Bowl Party Decorations

Decorations aren’t the most important feature of a Super Bowl party, but they do liven up the space and make it seem just a bit more festive. If you have the time, why not decorate? You can get as silly and over the top as you want with your Super Bowl party decor. Here are some fun ideas!

1. Jersey Displays

If your team is playing, hang up football jerseys or team flags. If you already have the merchandise, you may as well put it to good use, right? Find creative ways to display your sports memorabilia. You can also put out things like helmets or player bobbleheads. 

2. Team Colors

You absolutely must use the team colors if you’re going to decorate for your Super Bowl party. According to the National Library of Medicine, these team colors often play a large part in fans’ identities. Many party stores divide decorations by color, making this super simple and fun. Use balloons, streamers and tablecloths in competing teams' colors. You can even decorate one side of the party room with one set of colors and the other side with the other set and people can choose to sit on their respective sides. Fun!

3. Football Field Tablecloth

Create a football field-themed tablecloth. Make it green and use white paint pens to draw the field marks. You can also put DIY goal posts on either side. Make some paper footballs (or buy mini footballs) so guests can casually throw them through the goal posts for a fun idle activity. 

4. Football-Shaped Decorations

Use football-shaped balloons, snacks and centerpieces. This is a super easy thing to DIY. You can make your own decorations out of cardboard, clay or even paper mache. Have fun with it. If you have children you can even bring them in on this craft idea to make them feel a bit more involved.

5. Scoreboard

This one is a lot of fun if you’re creative and you have some free time. Create a DIY scoreboard to put up somewhere in the house away from the game so other people can stay updated even if they’re hanging out and mingling at the Super Bowl party instead of watching the score. If you’re in a pinch, you can even just use a chalkboard and decorate the frame with football-themed images. 

So are you feeling super prepared for your Super Bowl party? Remember, these parties are supposed to be casual, low-stakes and fun. Don’t worry too much about being an attentive host or everything going perfectly. Most people are just there to watch the game, eat tasty food and hang out with their friends. Your job is to provide a comfortable venue for that. Enjoy your Super Bowl party this February!

For even more fun gift and party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!