Game day party ideas perfect for hosting a super bowl party or football party at home. Gather friends and family to watch the big game with these food recipes, party decoration ideas, cocktails, and game day snacks.
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Game day party ideas
Who’s ready for the big game? Today I’m showing you how to put an entire party together with cool football theme decorations and easy football food ideas.
All around the country, parties are popular for the super bowl. They’re usually very “interactive” meaning guests bring food or drinks to share.
As a hostess I like to set the scene with a few base items like easy appetizers, munchies, and a signature drink like sangria.
Here are some tips and recipes for the best game day party at home.
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Football theme party decorations
Decorations and food presentation help set the scene for a football party. You’ll love these party decorating ideas for adults.
- Use black and white stripes as the table base, to match the referees’ uniform. This way your party will coordinate with whatever team is playing in the game. Choose a tablecloth or a paper table runner for easy cleanup.
- Yellow napkins are reminiscent of penalty flags.
- Serve sweet treats on the sidelines by decorating a separate table and stocking it with hand held cookies and bars.
- Use pennants, and football paraphernalia to decorate with. Display a vintage style football in a silver “winner’s trophy cup.” Or make your own diy pennant banner.
- Draw “game plays” on small chalk boards and lean them against the wall or place them on an easel.
- Use black slate trays, or paint a wood board with chalkboard paint, and write football themed phrases.
- Wrap mini party sandwiches in parchment paper and serve them overflowing from small metal baskets.
PARTY TIP: Guests will bring their own favorite recipes to share so make sure you have room on the table to spare.
Football party food bars
Nothing says “football food” like dips, cheese, chicken, and chips. But how about setting up a dedicated food station to take your party to the next level.
- A football themed game day popcorn bar is an ideal choice and guests can make their own unique mix.
- Even our ultimate hot dog bar will work as a fun food station.
- Or how about a chili bar with lots of options and an all purpose recipe.
Classic recipes
Make your own snack mix of popcorn, pretzels, and tortilla chips, and pre-fill striped snack boxes. The individual boxes are easy to take along for snacking in front of the tv.
A veggie tray is always a welcome addition. Our football party snack board is full of ideas. Here are some more tried and true recipes for a party.
- Ham & swiss mini sandwich appetizers
- Easy Baked Artichoke Dip with chicken
- Smoked sausage appetizers in easy bbq sauce
- Chicken Jalapeno Poppers wrapped in bacon
- Smoked Sausage Appetizer bites
- Chicken teriyaki skewers are easy to handle
- Jalapeno poppers with blue cheese
- Brown Butter-Honey Chicken wings
- Pimento cheese spread
Game day desserts
These sweet treats are perfect for guests to pick up and enjoy while they’re watching the game.
Big batch party drinks
Make a pitcher drink like sangria, ahead of time and let guests help themselves. Use copper mule cups to serve it in, and keep drinks ice cold.
- Prep this classic red wine sangria recipe ahead of time for easy party planning.
- Mix up this delicious spiced rum sangria made with red wine.
- White peach sangria is a crowd pleaser!
- This whiskey sour punch is out of this world delicious!
White Pear Sangria
This pear sangria recipe starts with a large bottle of Chardonnay but you can also use Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio instead.
- 1 large {1.5 liter} bottle chardonnay
- 1/2 cup white rum
- 1/2 cup pear juice {from the juice aisle, not from a can of pears}
- 2 – 12 oz cans ginger beer soda
- Sliced pears & apples, and blackberries
- In a large pitcher add wine, rum, pear juice, and fruit. Cover and refrigerate over night.
- Add ginger beer when ready to serve for the party.
- Serves a small crowd.
PARTY TIP: For a family friendly punch, just use white grape juice or apple juice instead of chardonnay, and omit the rum.
Super bowl party activities
You don’t need much in the way of activities because watching the game IS the activity. However, here are a few fun ideas that can actually enhance the experience!
- Set up a football theme beer tasting table or beer & food bar.
- Sign up for the football squares with this free printable board.
- Play football Bingo with these vintage style cards.
- Play a game of beer pong.
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Julie Blanner says
Chris, you’ve outdone yourself! It is so beautiful!
Chris says
Thank you for such a sweet comment, Julie. Cheers!
Karyn @ Pint Sized Baker says
We don’t do football in our household, but if a friend has a spread like this, I would totally go to their party! This looks amazing!
Chris says
I’m only in it for the food and socializing, Karyn! 😀
Liz says
Fabulous food and fabulous decor!!! SO many lovely ideas for game day.
Brenda says
I want to come to your party. Everything looks great.
Chris says
Thanks Brenda. That would be such fun!
Jessica @ Pen + Paper Flowers says
This turned out fabulous! Might be one of my favorites you’ve ever done! I LOVE the copper cups and the wooden serving trays you used. Sources pretty please? I think one of my favorite details was the football in the urn with the two flags. It’s so simple and darling!! Again, sources for all of your wooden accents. I just love them!
Chris says
Wow, thank you so much Jessica! The wood trays are a mix of items I found at HomeGoods, Target, and the one with legs is from Pottery Barn. Bowls are Crate & Barrel & Walmart. Spoons & knife are Crate & Barrel & HomeGoods. 🙂