Food & Entertaining

How to Host the Perfect Sports Viewing Party: 5 Secrets to Success

One way people can take part in the shared hobby of sports fandom is by hosting something called ‘watch parties’ when a big game is set to take place. Just simply send out invitations via text to a group of your closest sports enthusiasts setting a specific time and place for the event.

How to Host the Perfect Sports Viewing Party: 5 Secrets to Success
Hosting a watch party at home can be the perfect way to connect with fellow friends who are also big sports fans

Once everyone has RSVP’d, begin planning the most fun and entertaining night of the week. Here are five tips that, if implemented, are sure to take your party to the next level.

Make a Themed Menu and Prep Snacks Beforehand

In the same way that teams need food and beverages to support their intense gameplay, so do fans. The first step to any successful watch party is making sure that your guests will be taken care of in the culinary department.

Although it doesn’t need to be fancy, it does need to be well-prepared. That’s why we suggest making a detailed menu in the days leading up to the event so that cooking will be a breeze. Let’s face it: your friends may come to watch the big game, but they’ll stay to chow down on your yummy snacks.

To hit it truly out of the park, prepare themed dishes like baseball cookies or football helmet cupcakes. The options are endless with a little creativity and access to the internet’s wealth of inspiring ideas.

As the Honorable Host, Make Sure You Know Your Stuff

As the host of your own watch party, its important that you are the most in-tune with the sport that you have chosen to present. Would it make sense for a baseball fanatic to host a party where a professional hockey tournament will be shown on TV instead of an MLB game? Probably not, because the host may know nothing about the NHL and be ill-equipped to talk about it with the guests.

That’s why it’s crucial to select the game you are most knowledgeable about so that you can answer any questions your guests may have during gameplay. For example, when it comes to things like the top betting odds surrounding a specific team, your friends will want to know who is favored and who is not. Especially if they are interested in live betting, your guidance as a host can be monumental.

Although this type of information was once harder to access, nowadays it has been given a digital transformation with dozens of leading online sportsbooks which are tailor-made to equip fans with expert tips and stats concerning important games. Many of these services provide discounts for new users such as the DraftKings promo code that is geared towards welcoming first-timers to the virtual sports betting environment.

There’s no doubt that your guests will be impressed if you are able to provide them with on-the-spot advice when they need it most.

Some great culinary options for group gatherings include finger foods such as baked chicken wings

Plan Entertaining Games in Between the Action

Sometimes sports viewing parties aren’t completely full of huge sports fans. If your friends bring their partner or a friend of a friend, chances are someone in the crowd won’t be as interested in the game as everyone else.

That’s why having a few games up your sleeve can be a great idea. During commercial breaks or halftime show especially where people aren’t watching the action, announce that you will be taking part in some competitions of your own and divide your friends into groups. Just like you would bet on the game’s outcome, you can also place wagers on which teams will come out top in the various activities just to add an extra layer of excitement to the activities.

Give the Space Style with Decorations

Once you’ve done your research and planned your menu, the next phase of this extravaganza preparation is undoubtedly the decorations. Purchase things like tablecloths, balloons, themed paper plates, and more depending on the sport you will be watching.

Keep in mind that your guests may be coming from different ends of the supporting spectrum with one group favoring one team and the other rooting for the opposite. Make sure your decorations reflect that with the colors of both organizations equally represented even If it means adorning your home with your rival’s name and logo.

When it comes to the space itself, if your home is need of an interior upgrade, consider how you can make the area more suitable for guests at all times of the year with these tips.