The Game Plan: Breaking down the Cost of a Super Bowl Party (2024)

Ready, set, hike! The Super Bowl is here, and it continues to dominate viewership every year. Millions of viewers tune in during the Super Bowl to watch the national anthem, the halftime show, the funny commercials, and most importantly, the football game. Many people spend their time preparing and setting up their Super Bowl parties, but have you ever wondered how much money an average person spends to prepare a party? People can argue that the cost of going to the Super Bowl is expensive, but hosting a party isn’t cheap either. With thousands of fans in the stadium but millions of people at home watching, how much of an impact does this event have on consumers, and what can we do about it? To get a better estimate of the estimated cost, let’s break it down and look at the major components of a Super Bowl party, like food, apparel, and TV streaming services.

First Quarter: Food and Beverages

Any great party should have good food and drinks. Super Bowl parties are no exception because they provide plenty of snacks, desserts, and drinks to keep guests satisfied throughout the game. From pigs in blankets to bottles of Coca-Cola, the amount of food consumed and purchased at this event might surprise most people. According to the National Retail Foundation, food and beverages account for 80 percent of consumer purchases during the Super Bowl. Some of the major foods and drinks purchased included pizza, chicken wings, nachos, and beer.

All of these foods are part of a bigger story that people rarely talk about. If you haven’t noticed or paid attention to the news, rising food prices have become a huge challenge. For example, on average, the average person will spend $85 on food for a Super Bowl party. Prices have risen 1.3% compared to the previous year, pushing food prices to an all-time high. We can only predict that Super Bowl parties will get more expensive every year due to rising inflation.

Second Quarter: Merchandise/Apparel

From championship mugs to Travis Kelce jerseys, apparel and merchandise are major components of a Super Bowl party. Fans often like to show their support for their favorite teams by wearing team jerseys, caps, or other branded gear. Buying apparel and wearing it to a Super Bowl party adds excitement. Whether your team is the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs, fans love to buy their merchandise to represent the team they want to win at this event. For example, referring back to the National Retail Foundation, 13% of consumer purchases during the Super Bowl were team apparel and accessories. It is the second-most-purchased component for a super bowl party, behind food and beverages. Apparel costs can vary, and average fans can spend anywhere from $20 to $100 or more on Super Bowl-themed apparel and merchandise. These accessories range from hats, mugs, scarves, wallets, etc.

Third Quarter: TV Streaming Services

The most important part of a Super Bowl party would have to be the television, where everyone gathers around to watch the game. It’s also important to make sure you pick the right TV service to ensure you’re getting uninterrupted streaming for you and your guests. According to the National Retail Foundation, 9 percent of the total consumer purchases for Super Bowl parties are due to TV services. For consumers who use cable, they may end up watching the game on CBS or Fox. Others who are not using cable rely more on TV streaming services like Hulu+ or Youtube TV for better viewing. While both methods do provide the ability to watch the game, both do come with a cost. On average, most consumers spend about $50 to $100 a month on TV subscriptions. As someone who currently has streaming services in their home, the cost quickly adds up over time.

Last Quarter: The Results Are In!

Hosting a Super Bowl party isn’t just about cheering for your favorite team; it is also important to the future of our economy. Once we’ve broken down the main components of such events—food and beverage, merchandise/clothing, and TV streaming services—it’s clear that costs can quickly add up. With food prices rising due to inflation, the average person spends more money on snacks and drinks alone. Additionally, the attraction of party shopping increases interest but also increases costs. Also, let’s not forget how important high-quality TV programming is to ensure guests get uninterrupted enjoyment of the game. When factoring in miscellaneous costs like decorations, it’s clear that the cost of hosting a Super Bowl party isn’t insignificant, as viewership increases each year and the tradition of Super Bowl parties lives on as a part of American culture. However, it is important for the hosts to budget carefully and consider cuts to ensure the celebration remains enjoyable without breaking the bank. Whether you’re planning ahead, setting a budget, or opting for a potluck-style event, there are ways to help cut costs. Finally, when the Super Bowl may be the highlight of the year for football fans, it is important to remember how much of an impact an event like this has on our economy.