Enjoying the big game goes beyond just the action on the field. Football parties are known for creative commercials and fun gatherings, with lots of "football party food" to eat and enjoy. Food, drinks, and activities all add to the enjoyment of the day.
If you are hosting this year, you might be looking for a few football party ideas for a memorable day. You want to keep the ideas on-theme and unique, tailored to your party guests.
A football party is a gathering of friends and family to watch the game, eat snacks, and have fun. Here are some football party ideas for planning a memorable game day together.
The Big Game: Football Party Food Ideas
Football party food ideas are an important way to cheer on your team. We gathered some of our favorite football themed party ideas and snacks, including dips, wings, and chili. Here are some of our top suggestions to serve on game day.
Dips, Wings, & Small Bites
1. Watermelon Helmet
Turning a watermelon into a helmet is a fun centerpiece for your football themed party. Start by carving out the center of the watermelon to look like a helmet, then fill it with diced fruit. Check out this video by the Watermelon Board for how to make your own.
2. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is the ultimate, creamy game day classic that's a great dip for chips, pita, carrots, and celery. With only five ingredients, this football party food is as easy to make as it is to eat.
3. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
This spicy, smoky appetizer is one of our favorite football party food ideas for a reason. You can even chop up and add a Chomps meat stick for an extra meaty kick.
4. Sheet Pan Nachos
This recipe is the easiest way to make sure everyone gets a plate of cheesy goodness at once. Load them up with all your favorite toppings like seasoned ground beef, taco-seasoned jerky, beans, and plenty of cheese.
5. Spicy Queso Dip
A smooth, velvety dip with a touch of heat, this football themed party food is perfect for tortilla chips. Check out this recipe, which only requires three ingredients!
6. Easy Guacamole
Guacamole might just be the most popular football party food. Use fresh avocados mashed with lime, cilantro, chiles, and onion to create a crowd-pleaser every time.
7. Seven-Layer Dip
A vibrant and delicious football party food, this dip is layered with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and more. Get the recipe here.
8. Sweet and Spicy Wings
Toss your wings in a blend of honey and sriracha for a sticky, addictive appetizer. Use this simple recipe to bring this football party food to life!
9. Charcuterie Board
A football charcuterie board may not be one of the more traditional football party food ideas, but it's a great option for any gathering. We created this red, white, and blue one that includes cheese, crackers, blueberries, strawberries, and our Original Chomps beef sticks for a colorful, patriotic board.
10. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender, smoky pork on a bun is an easy and delicious football party food. Add your favorite barbeque sauce to this recipe and be sure to provide lots of napkins!
11. Mini Corn Dogs
A fun, bite-sized twist on an old-timey carnival favorite. This food for football party takes just 25 minutes to make. For an interesting twist, substitute Chomps Jalapeno meat sticks for hot dogs and kick up the spice level of this crowd-pleasing appetizer.
12. Jalapeño Popper Bites
One of our favorite football party food ideas. They're warm, filling, and the perfect appetizer to serve alongside nachos and chili. This recipe is simple and you can throw it together in under 30 minutes.
Sandwiches, Chili & Larger Bites
13. Hearty Game Day Chili
A big pot of chili is an amazing centerpiece and can be customized with various toppings. Get the recipe for this hearty football party food.
14. Green Chile Chicken Taquitos
Crispy, rolled tacos perfect for dipping. A spectacular addition to your football party food ideas, you can find the recipe here.
15. Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
Crispy fried chicken sandwiches with a touch of heat. This recipe will be a spicy star among your football party ideas. Find it here.
16. Pizza Rolls
A quick and easy crowd-pleaser that everyone loves. This recipe is sure to be a winner. You can even use your favorite Chomps meat stick in place of pepperoni.
17. Restaurant-Style Potato Skins
Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with all the good stuff. Top this football party food with green onions, bacon-bits, or chopped-up Chomps meat sticks. Find the recipe here.
Themed & Unique Bites
18. Loaded Tater Tots
Crispy tots topped with melted cheese, bacon, and chives. Get the recipe for this ultimate football party food.
19. Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese
Some football party ideas are too popular to pass up. Soft, warm pretzel bites served with a savory, cheesy dip will score you a touchdown with your guests every time.
20. Spicy Jalapeño Cornbread
A moist cornbread with a kick of jalapeño, great on its own or with chili. One of the more unusual football food ideas, it's a definite crowd-pleaser that will get your guests talking. Find it here!
21. Baked Brie with Fig Jam
A fancy-yet-simple appetizer that always feels special. It’s the perfect combination of savory and sweet. Check out this recipe for this elegant-yet-easy football party food.
22. Air Fryer Onion Rings
A crispy and lighter take on a classic pub snack. This football party food pairs perfectly with many other dishes. Get the recipe here.
23. Low-Carb Stuffing
This delicious low-carb stuffing recipe incorporates protein and flavorful Chomps Turkey Jerky, vegetables, and low-carb bread.
24. Cookie Dough Dip
A sweet, edible cookie dough dip perfect for dipping graham crackers or fruit. This dessert is a winning addition to your football party food lineup, giving everyone a sweet way to celebrate in the fourth quarter. Find the recipe here.
25. Football Brownies
Brownies with a simple white icing football on top for a fun, football themed party treat. This recipe is one of the best football party ideas for dessert.
26. Bring Snacks in Your Team’s Colors
Depending on what teams are playing this year, you might want to consider a color party in your favorite team’s colors. A color party is when all the football foods and decorations are in one specific color. If you are looking for inspiration, we have ideas for various color parties including red, yellow, and orange.
27. Signature Cocktail
While a football themed party may be associated with drinking beer, offering a signature party cocktail (or mocktail) that matches the team’s colors or themes can be a fun addition. Consider this Mason Jar Jalapeno Margarita or this Frozen Watermelon Mint Mocktail for a few tasty options.
Football Party Ideas Beyond the Food
While watching the game is typically the main activity at a football themed party, it might be fun to provide guests with some alternative activities as not everyone is super into the game. Here are a few of our football party ideas for entertaining your guests, whether they’re die-hard fans or just there for the half-time show.
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Blind Taste Test: A fun party game where you evaluate foods and drinks without knowing what you are tasting.
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Play Mini Football Cornhole: Cornhole is typically played with a bean bag. To make it more festive, substitute the bean bags for mini footballs.
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Take a Football Quiz: Challenge them to a quiz or trivia game about the teams, players, rules, or history of the game.
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Commercial Bingo: One of the more classic football party ideas! Make bingo cards with squares that say “a commercial featuring an animal” or “a commercial with a country music star” to help everyone stay engaged during breaks.
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Themed Photobooth: Set out some football helmets, balls, shoulder pads, or your favorite team’s gear, and let the guests take fun and creative photos with the props.
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Football-Inspired Treat Bags: Fill small gift bags with small treats your friends can take with them. Add small trinkets, $5 coffee gift cards, or your favorite Chomplings flavor for a leveled-up treat bag.
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Make a Football Field Party Table: An easy way to include decorations for your football themed party is to turn your table into a football field. Add green or “field” printed tablecloth and then lay out food items like they are players on a field.
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Team Colors: Decorate with your favorite theme colors. Buy some balloons, plates, napkins, cups, and other decor in your team’s colors.
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Football Pinata: A football-shaped pinata can double as an activity and decoration. Guests of all ages can enjoy taking a swing to release a shower of treats and goodies. It’s one of the most interactive and lively football party ideas.
Score Big with These Football Party Ideas
As you prepare to host your football bash, remember that the key to a successful party lies in the details. From the watermelon helmets filled with fruit to the thematic snacks and drinks in your favorite team's colors, each adds a special touch to the festivities.
So, as you dive into planning, use these football party ideas to create a day that’s enjoyable for everyone. Whether it’s through the unique decorations, the delicious snacks, or the engaging activities, you're set to score big with your guests.
Ready to elevate your big game party? Don’t forget to stock up on our delicious Chomps meat sticks to keep your guests fueled and satisfied throughout the action.
Football Party Food FAQs
What to bring to a football party?
If you're heading to a football themed party, showing up with a great dish to share is a surefire way to be the MVP. A host will always appreciate your football party food ideas, especially if they’re something easy to serve that doesn't require a lot of last-minute prep. The best food for a football party is often portable and doesn't need to be reheated or kept cold for long periods.
What food is good for a football party?
Great football party food ideas are easy to eat while standing or mingling. Think finger foods and one-hand snacks. You want things that are big on flavor but not so big that they require a fork and knife. Mini sliders, wings, nachos, and various dips are always a good choice.
Your football food ideas should be a mix of savory and sweet, with options for everyone. Start with a variety of appetizers, like a dip spread with chips and veggies, and a tray of wings or sliders. Then, have a main dish like a big pot of chili or a giant sheet of nachos. Finish with a dessert like football-themed brownies or cookies. This is a great plan for getting a good balance of football party food options.
How do you make a football party fun?
To make a football party truly fun, the key is to go beyond just watching the game. Creating a lively atmosphere with engaging football themed party ideas is a game-winning strategy. You can set up alternative activities and games to entertain guests who may not be die-hard fans.
The right football party food ideas are also crucial. Have a variety of foods to choose from, like a massive nacho spread or a chili bar. Football themed party decorations also add to the festive spirit and make for a truly memorable day for all.
What are the classic football appetizers?
The classic football party food ideas and appetizers are things that feel comforting and are easy to share. Think of things like buffalo chicken dip, potato skins, chicken wings, and nachos. These appetizers are easy to make in large batches and are perfect for a casual setting where people are moving around and socializing.
