Ah, the Super Bowl. The one game of the year where all the bandwagon fans (*raises hand*) suddenly get on board and pretend they’re into football. Whether you're a ride-or-die sports girlie or are just tuning in this year to try to spot Taylor Swift and Olivia Culpo in their suites, just know I respect you. I believe everyone is entitled to sit on the couch and eat and drink to their heart's content during the Big Game, no matter their M.O.
There's nothing better than a Super Bowl party, and lucky for you, I've got a bunch of fun ideas to help you make it happen...and make it really, really Insta-worthy. I did a total internet deep-dive (trust) to find the best Super Bowl party inspo on the World World Web, and even scoured this ol' noggin of mine for some one-of-a-kind party tricks. The result: 25 creative ideas for your 2024 Super Bowl party, below. Read on and remember: don't let your Monday ruin your Sunday.
Send some invites.
Rather than simply texting your crew, send out cute Super Bowl party invitations in advance, either via email or snail mail, if you have enough time. You can find tons of downloads on Etsy that you can print or simply send as a digital file, and Paperless Post is a great place to go for online invites.
Pick up a keg.
If you know beer goes fast in your friend group, you might want to consider grabbing a keg. It'll last way longer and probably be a lot cheaper than buying a buncha cans. Plus...keg stands!
Set up an eye black station.
Glam station < eye black station...on Super Bowl Sunday, ofc. Get your mirrored vanity and bring it out into your entryway or living room to create a festive space to really get in the football spirit.
...and a red lipstick bar.
If Taylor Swift can play four shows in Tokyo and make it back in time for game day, the least we can all do is honor her with a red lip.
Embrace the theme.
Whether you're actually a fan of the teams playing or just love an excuse to follow a theme, suggest your guests dress in their sporty best (say that ten times fast). Maybe even hold a best-dressed competition to amp up the energy???
Hand out foam fingers.
These red ones are perf, because they work for both teams! Just think of how cute they'll be in your Insta photos.
Make your own concession stand.
Gather all your snacks in one place and call in a concession stand, baby. Let your creative side shine by DIYing some banners, stands (for the food to sit in, obv), and a black-and-white striped backdrop, like you see above.
Prepare the bubbly.
I mean, you're going to need a couple of bottles to sip on during the game, and then a few more to pop when the best team wins, right? Lucky for you, we have a list of the best cheap champagnes that taste like the good stuff.
Create a DIY photo booth.
You know the drill: pics or it didn't happen. Make a lil photo booth with a football-themed backdrop and some fun props. Sorry not sorry if you have more fun snappin' photos than watching the game...
Dress up your pets.
Every team needs a mascot, so why not get your pup in on the spirit? You'd be surprised how many jerseys for pets you can find on the internet...
Organize a betting pool.
There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, amirite? Super Bowl Squares is suuuper easy to play: just print out a grid (see above for my fave on Etsy) and invite your guests to place their bets. Here's a how-to if you've never played before or need a refresher.
Throw back some Jell-O shots.
It's simple, really. You're going to make two batches of Jell-O shots, using the colors of the opposing teams (you can use yellow for the Chiefs and red for the 49ers this year!), and your friends are going to pick the flavor of the squad they're cheering for. These can be used as prizes or punishments, depending on your friend group.
Invest in football-shaped serving platters.
Yeah, you could serve your Tostitos and salsa in regular bowls, but what fun would that be? These serving sets and trays are way cuter...and they're basically begging to be ’grammed.
Make football friendship bracelets.
Set up a beading station where everyone can make their own football-inspired friendship bracelets. I mean, if it worked for Travis Kelce, it can work for you, too.
Play Super Bowl bingo.
Play a game of football-inspired bingo or commercial bingo (you're watching them all anyway, might as well make a game out of it!) with these printables. You can even add booze if ya want—every time a person gets a bingo, they have to finish their drink or take a (Jell-O?!) shot.
Light a game day candle.
If you really wanna set the mood for your party, grab this game-day candle that smells like a real leather football. Doesn't get much more on the nose than that.
Add some festive decor.
Channel your inner Mindy Weiss (you know, the Kardashians' party planner) with some festive balloons, centerpieces, and a banner or two to spice things up a bit (some inspo above, because ily). Pro tip: Keep the decor free of team names so you can use it again next year. We love recycling in this house!
Hang a balloon arch.
Nothing says "I went all out" quite like a balloon arch. You can find DIY kits on Amazon that make the process way more simple than it looks, and no one has to know!
Sing halftime karaoke.
Wanna get your guests more involved during the halftime show? Whip out a karaoke mic and let your friends give Usher a run for his money.
Load up a playlist.
Honestly, you're going to want a killer playlist for all the times the announcers aren't doing their thang. Should that playlist just be Taylor Swift's Red on repeat? Up to you.
Go all out with your tablescape.
Okay, I know this isn't technically a dinner party (unless you want it to be), but you can still have a little fun with your tablescape. This football-field table runner is perf to get you started, or you can get some literal astroturf to show your friends you're really committed to the bit.
Party tailgate-style.
Bring the tailgate vibes to your backyard/front yard/patio/balcony with a good ol' cookout. Pull out the grill, some weenies and patties, a bucket filled with beers, and a beer pong table, and bam! The next best thing to being in the parking lot outside the stadium.
Batch up some yummy co*cktails.
Every good party needs a signature co*cktail (says me). Especially if you're being forced to watch hours upon hours of football. I always recommend batching up a few easy recipes (we've got a ton here) right before the game and serving 'em in beverage dispensers, so you don't have to play bartender all night.
Don't forget a Sharpie (or three).
This might go without saying, but it's always good to have a few Sharpies lying around when you're drinking out of plastic cups. Football season = flu season, so your guests are going to want to claim their cups.
Serve your food up stadium style.
These cardboard food trays, which look just like the ones you'd be served at a sports stadium (for like, $100), will have your friends howling. And eatin' good.
Load up on football-shaped treats.
What's a party without dessert? Put together a sweets bar—or board!— and load it up with a variety of themed pastries, chocolates, and candies. Some great options above if you'd rather swipe your credit card than a spatula.
Make some predictions.
Keep things interesting with this Super Bowl predictions game, which you can print and have your guests fill out before kickoff. Should you give out a prize to the person who gets the most correct guesses? Yes. Should that prize be you serenading them with an Usher song? Also yes.
Hang a piñata.
Piñatas will never not get people excited. Cop one of these pigskin-shaped bad boys and fill it with loot you know your guests will love.
Give out prizes.
Need a prize idea that isn't an Usher song for your big contest winners (sad, but okay)? Grab a few bottles of wine and dress 'em up with these cute football-themed labels.
Set up cornhole.
Clear out some space outside and set up everyone's favorite tailgate game. If you wanna be really extra, you can get bean bags that match the colors of the opposing teams.
Get creative with paper goods.
Sure, you can set out boring ol' white cups and plates—or you can jazz things up with some on-theme paper goods. Amazon and Etsy have oodles of options, and shipping quicker than Christian McCaffrey (yes, I Googled "fast football players," is that a problem?).
Challenge your guests with trivia.
Before kickoff or during some downtime, test everyone's knowledge with some Super Bowl-related trivia questions. You can either pose the question aloud to the group, or have your guests write down their answers on these fun printable sheets.
Dole out some dips.
We put together a list of "holy sh*t this is delicious" dip recipes perfect for any party. I recommend you make one (or six) and make a whole damn spread.
Watch some football movies.
If the party starts early or ends late, be prepared with a few football-inspired movies for your guests' viewing pleasure. (You can also start the movie marathon during the game if you get bored, but you didn't hear that from me.) Friday Night Lights works too.
Hand out goodie bags.
Don't let your friends leave empty-handed! Put together some inexpensive goodie bags—perhaps filled with the on-theme koozies, shot glasses, and scrunchies, above?—for everyone to take home.
Corinne Sullivan
Editor
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Hannah Chubb
Lifestyle Editor
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or opinions. However, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here's some information related to the concepts mentioned:
Super Bowl Party Invitations:
- Sending out Super Bowl party invitations in advance is a fun way to invite your friends to your gathering. You can find cute Super Bowl party invitation templates on websites like Etsy and Paperless Post [[1]].
Kegs for Super Bowl Parties:
- If you have a large group of friends who enjoy beer, consider getting a keg for your Super Bowl party. Kegs can last longer and may be more cost-effective than buying individual cans or bottles of beer [[2]].
Eye Black Station:
- Setting up an eye black station can add a festive touch to your Super Bowl party. Eye black is a cosmetic product used by athletes to reduce glare. You can find eye black sticks for sports online [[3]].
Dressing Up for the Super Bowl:
- Encouraging your guests to dress in their sporty best can add to the energy and excitement of your Super Bowl party. You can even hold a best-dressed competition to make it more fun [[4]].
Foam Fingers:
- Handing out foam fingers can be a playful addition to your Super Bowl party. Foam fingers are often used by fans to show support for their favorite team. You can find foam fingers in various colors and designs online [[5]].
Concession Stand:
- Creating a concession stand at your Super Bowl party can make it feel more authentic. You can gather all your snacks in one place and set up stands and banners for a black-and-white striped backdrop [[6]].
DIY Photo Booth:
- Setting up a DIY photo booth with a football-themed backdrop and props can be a great way to capture memories at your Super Bowl party. You can use instant cameras like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 or digital cameras to take photos [[7]].
Pets at Super Bowl Parties:
- Dressing up your pets in team jerseys can be a fun way to involve them in the Super Bowl spirit. You can find NFL jerseys for pets online [[8]].
Betting Pool:
- Organizing a betting pool can add excitement to your Super Bowl party. Super Bowl Squares is a popular game where guests can place bets on a grid. The rules and how to play can be found online [[9]].
Jell-O Shots:
- Making Jell-O shots in the colors of the opposing teams can be a fun activity for your Super Bowl party. Guests can choose the flavor of the Jell-O shot based on the team they are cheering for [[10]].
Football-Shaped Serving Platters:
- Using football-shaped serving platters can add a festive touch to your Super Bowl party. You can find a variety of football-themed serving sets and trays online [[11]].
Football-Inspired Crafts:
- Setting up a beading station for guests to make their own football-inspired friendship bracelets can be a creative activity at your Super Bowl party. DIY bracelet kits can be found online [[12]].
Super Bowl Bingo:
- Playing Super Bowl-inspired bingo or commercial bingo can be a fun game for your guests during the game. You can find printable bingo cards online [[13]].
Game Day Candle:
- Lighting a game day candle that smells like a real leather football can help set the mood for your Super Bowl party. Game day candles can be found online [[14]].
Festive Decor:
- Adding festive decor like football-themed centerpieces, balloons, and banners can enhance the atmosphere of your Super Bowl party. You can find a variety of football-themed decor online [[15]].
Balloon Arch:
- Creating a balloon arch can be a visually appealing addition to your Super Bowl party. DIY kits for balloon arches can be found online [[16]].
Halftime Karaoke:
- Setting up a karaoke mic during halftime can be a fun way to engage your guests. Wireless karaoke microphones can be found online [[17]].
Playlist:
- Having a killer playlist can keep the energy up during the game. You can create a playlist with your favorite songs or even Taylor Swift's "Red" album, as mentioned in the article [[18]].
Tablescape:
- Creating a football-themed tablescape can add a festive touch to your Super Bowl party. You can find football-themed table runners or even use astroturf as a table covering [[19]].
Party Tailgate-Style:
- Bringing the tailgate vibes to your backyard or patio with a cookout can make your Super Bowl party feel more authentic. You can set up a grill, provide food and drinks, and even have games like beer pong [[20]].
Batched co*cktails:
- Making batched co*cktails can save you time and allow you to enjoy the party. You can find easy co*cktail recipes and serve them in beverage dispensers [[21]].
Sharpies for Cup Labeling:
- Having Sharpies available for guests to label their cups can help prevent mix-ups. This is especially useful during flu season when guests may want to claim their cups [[22]].
Stadium-Style Food:
- Serving food in football-themed snack trays or stadium-style food trays can add to the game day atmosphere. You can find football-shaped treats like cookies and chocolates to serve as well [[23]].
Super Bowl Predictions Game:
- Engaging your guests with a Super Bowl predictions game can add excitement to your party. You can find printable prediction sheets online [[24]].
Piñata:
- Hanging a football-shaped piñata filled with treats can be a fun activity for your Super Bowl party. Piñatas can be found online and can be a hit with both kids and adults [[25]].
Prizes and Goodie Bags:
- Giving out prizes and goodie bags to your guests can be a thoughtful gesture. You can find football-themed party favors and personalize them for your guests [[26]].
Trivia Games:
- Testing your guests' knowledge with Super Bowl-related trivia can be a fun activity during halftime or downtime. You can find printable trivia sheets online [[27]].
Dips and Dip Bowls:
- Serving a variety of delicious dips can be a crowd-pleaser at your Super Bowl party. Ceramic dip bowls can be used to present the dips in an appealing way [[28]].
Football Movies:
- Watching football-inspired movies can be a great way to keep the entertainment going during your Super Bowl party. "Friday Night Lights" is a popular choice [[29]].
Paper Goods:
- Using football-themed paper plates, napkins, and snack bowls can add to the overall theme of your Super Bowl party. You can find a variety of football-themed paper goods online [[30]].
I hope this information helps you plan a fun and memorable Super Bowl party! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.