Thank you NFL for sponsoring this game day food post. Can’t wait for my next Game Day!
Who's excited about playoffs and ready for The Big Game coming up? ME! Are you, too? Which team are you rooting for?
I grew up in and around Portland, Oregon, where we have no local NFL team. But my hubby grew in Kansas City, and he's a BIG Kansas City Chiefs fan. With KC eyeing a championship, it's been quite an EXCITING season! But unfortunately, Portland isn't that close to KC, so getting to a game isn't that easy.
If you aren't able to see your team in person -- and of course tailgate! -- throwing a fun party at home is where it's at.
Game Day Food and Drink Ideas That Are Sure to Score
I am so excited to be partnering with the NFL to help give you some ideas that you can use to throw the best game day party ever!
Besides inviting fun friends over to help cheer on your favorite team, there are three essential elements to throwing a fun & fabulous football party:
- Team fan gear
- Delicious food
- Yummy drinks
Team Fan Gear
One of the best ways to show your true team spirit is to load up before the Big Game with fan gear.
We love collecting team t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, coasters, mugs, blankets, and more. All of the KC Chiefs gear you see in these photos are from NFLShop.com.
We love team gear that we can use even when the game's not on. The KC Chiefs blanket you see on the couch? Our kids and dog love snuggling up with it for everyday TV watching.
Game Day Food Bliss
While I enjoy a good game, y'all know: my heart belongs to the FOOD that's involved with any party.
When throwing a game day party, have fun with it and bring on food that celebrates your team's regional cuisine.
What's Kansas City known for? KC BBQ of course!
These beautiful Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs with homemade KC-style barbecue sauce were the perfect way to bring some KC BBQ into our party!
BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos are also an excellent way to celebrate. These are inspired by the loaded nachos served at the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium!
Hot dogs are a stadium staple, so at our game day party, I simply wrapped them up in cute food bags in our team colors and tied them with baker's twine. Get creative with bags, boxes, tissue paper that you already have around the house in your team's colors!
And, because we're in Oregon wine country where cheese & meat boards are all the rage at every event, I had to serve some cheese & charcuterie at our football fest.
Luckily, NFLShop.com has these beautiful, well-made cheese and charcuterie boards that you can find with your team's logo on them.
I love them so much. The large Chiefs cheese board has a handle and rope that makes it a beautiful wall display in our kitchen – a great way to showcase team spirit on days other than game day.
Game Day Snacks
Snacks (or Snacky Snacks, as we always call them in our house) are essential for any game day party.
Load up team logo mugs and glasses with popcorn, cheese straws, nuts, and candies.
Game Day Drinks
To wash down all of the yummy food, you'll need some party drinks.
KC has a great microbrew scene, so beer is definitely on tap for this homegate party.
If your team is from an area that has some tasty local brews, be sure to serve those in these hefty NFLShop.com mugs.
Again, living in Oregon wine country, we don't just drink beer and cocktails at our football parties. There is always wine, too. NFLShop.com has you covered with really sturdy logo wine glasses, too!
Finally, create one signature drink with either local flavors and/or team colors as a finishing touchdown to your game day party.
Strawberry Lemonade Margaritas with Straw-Ber-Rita
Since the KC Chiefs' colors are red and gold, I whipped up these Strawberry Lemonade Margaritas with Straw-Ber-Rita.
They are made with fruit punch, seltzer water, and Straw-Ber-Ritas. So refreshing, and I love that the colors of this drink represent our Chiefs!
Have you ever tried Lime-A-Ritas or Straw-Ber-Ritas before? They are so tasty! I've got the recipe for my Strawberry Lemonade Margaritas below. To find out more about Lime-A-Rita be sure to follow them on Instagram @lime_a_rita and check out their Pinterest page @Lime-A-Rita.
Strawberry Lemonade Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 oz Straw-Ber-Rita
- 2 oz seltzer water
- 2 oz fruit punch
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- optional garnish: quartered strawberries and lemon slice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a margarita glass, and garnish.
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
So instead of battling the weather, traffic, and ticket prices, bring the tailgating party to your house with a super fun, fabulous game day bash.
I hope these ideas help inspire you! :)
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
David Valle says
Wow! It seems interesting. I felt hunger when I g through the article. Have fun to read such blog. Thanks for sharing such beautiful thoughts and useful tips. Have a good day.
Rhonda Albom says
You sure know how to throw a party! You had me at the pulled pork nachos - football and fiesta!
Jenna says
Has the makings of a great superbowl party for sure. Normally I don't really care much about sports other than the awesome food that goes along with them, but this year my city is in the superbowl and my family and friends are in a frenzy over the game so I kinda care a little more.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It helps to have a connection to a team! Thank you, Jenna!
Sues says
All of the food at your party looks soooo good!! The ribs and nachos look AWESOME! But now that the Patriots are in the Super Bowl, you'll have to come to my Super Bowl Homegate party :) :)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you, Sues!
Jenni says
First off... I've never heard of the term homegatw and think it's just brilliant! I've never been much of a sports fan, but have always wanted to tailgate for the party! Second, this is the prettiest football party I've ever seen!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much for the nice comment. Jenni!
melissa says
you had me at pulled pork nachos!!! I’ll be watching for the commercials 🤫😊. Hubbie is rooting for the Patriots—-and we’ll be at a Bostonian’s house so...!!!! Happy Homegating!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
How fun! Happy Homegating to you, too! :)
Hillary Harper says
Such a fun post! I'm not a huge fan of any particular team, but throwing a Super Bowl party is one of my favorite parties to put together! I'm definitely going to mix-up up a batch of those Strawberry Beritas ;)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
The parties are definitely a huge part of the fun! Let me know how you like them! :)
Gina says
Sounds like a fun party! I can't wait for the Superbowl!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Same! Thanks! :)
Liz says
That sounds like a fun party!!! I'm not much of a football fan but I love parties because of the snacks and socializing ;)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's a huge part of the fun! Thanks, Liz!
Cliona Keane says
This sounds like the making of the best party ever! I wish we had the Superbowl in the UK in the same we you do in the states, it seems like such an amazing community event!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It really is! It's such a fun time of year :) Thank you!
Melissa says
I love this concept of a homegate party and everything looks absolutely delicious. :)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you, Melissa!
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
All of the food and drinks looks so appealling I wouldn't know where to begin.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It can be a bit overwhelming! LOL Thanks, Charla!
Melissa (Pen and Parent) says
Wow, the nachos and strawberry lemonade margaritas look amazing. Whoever ends up at your house on Super Bowl Sunday will be super lucky to enjoy that spread!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Aw. thank you, Melissa!
Pech says
I'm a Chicago and thus Bears fan for life! You put together such a beautiful spread and putting snacks in the logo mugs is clever and cute!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you so much!
Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says
I don't have strong NFL ties so I automatically pull for the Lions (my husband is from Detroit). Unfortunately, they never win pretty much anything. ;)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's okay to root for the underdog! It's fun to participate in general! :)