Super Bowl Viewing Parties: How to Host the Perfect Game Day

The Super Bowl is the most-watched single sporting event in America, and millions of people celebrate it with viewing parties. Whether you are hosting 5 people or 50, here is how to throw the perfect Super Bowl viewing party.

The TV Setup

Your TV is the centerpiece of any Super Bowl party. For larger groups, a 65-inch or larger 4K TV is recommended. Position the TV so every seat in the room has a clear sightline. If you have a projector and a large wall or screen, this can create a truly cinematic experience for bigger gatherings. Sound matters too — a soundbar or home theater system dramatically improves the broadcast audio.

Food Planning: The Super Bowl Spread

Super Bowl party food has its own culture. The most popular Super Bowl foods include chicken wings (the game drives the highest single-day wing consumption in the US, behind only National Chicken Wing Day), nachos and guacamole, pizza, sliders, dips (queso, spinach artichoke, seven-layer), and chili. Budget approximately $15–$25 per person for a solid food spread if you are providing everything yourself.

Commercial-Watching Strategy

One of the unique aspects of the Super Bowl party is that commercials are as anticipated as the game. Designate someone to handle the remote — no channel surfing during breaks. Super Bowl commercials are part of the event. See our guide to the best Super Bowl commercials for context heading in.

Super Bowl Party Games

Squares pools (also called Super Bowl boxes) are the most popular party game — participants buy squares on a 10x10 grid corresponding to the last digit of each team's score at the end of each quarter. Prop bet sheets, trivia cards, and prediction contests are also popular ways to keep non-football fans engaged throughout the game.

Countdown Viewing

Start your party with the pre-game show, which typically begins 3–4 hours before kickoff and includes team introductions, performances, and analysis. The national anthem is a major moment. Plan food and drinks to be ready by kickoff. For the complete game day schedule, see our Super Bowl schedule page. For streaming options, see our how to watch guide.