Super Bowl Food and Beverage Spending Trends
Super Bowl Sunday remains one of the largest food consumption days in the United States, with total food and beverage spending reaching an estimated $16.7 billion in 2025, according to the National Retail Federation's latest survey on holiday spending patterns National Retail Federation Super Bowl Spending. The average Super Bowl host now spends between $85 and $130 on party food and drinks, with higher budgets for larger groups of 15 or more guests. Poultry, snacks, and beverages dominate the category, with chicken wings, pizza, and beer consistently ranking as the top three purchased items. The National Chicken Council reports that Americans are projected to consume over 1.45 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl weekend in 2025, making wings the single largest protein item on the best Super Bowl menu for large groups. Forbes Super Bowl Food Trends
Plant-based and health-oriented options have grown from roughly 12 percent of Super Bowl menu selections in 2020 to an estimated 22 percent in 2025, according to market research firm Technavio's food service industry analysis Technavio Super Bowl Food Market. This shift is driven by younger demographics and corporate hosts seeking inclusive menu options. Beverage spending remains the largest line item, with beer accounting for approximately 38 percent of total drink purchases, followed by wine at 21 percent and non-alcoholic options at 14 percent. The best Super Bowl menu now balances traditional high-demand items with these growing categories to maximize guest satisfaction and minimize waste.
Top-Rated Super Bowl Menu Categories and Items
Wings, Pizza, and Dips
Chicken wings continue to lead the best Super Bowl menu, with Buffalo-style remaining the most popular flavor, followed by BBQ and hot honey variants. The average cost per guest for wings is $4.50 to $7.00, depending on wing quality and portion size, according to food service pricing data from the National Restaurant Association National Restaurant Association Super Bowl Costs. Pizza ranks second, with large pizzas costing between $18 and $30 depending on toppings and size, and the average host orders 2.5 pizzas per 10 guests. Party dips such as guacamole, queso, and spinach-artichoke dip see a 40 percent sales spike in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, with avocado-based dips growing fastest in the plant-based segment.
Beverage Pairings
Beer remains the top beverage pairing for wings and pizza, with domestic lagers outselling craft options by a 3-to-1 margin during Super Bowl events. Non-alcoholic sparkling beverages have grown 18 percent year-over-year in retail sales for Super Bowl gatherings, driven by brands expanding their zero-proof product lines. The best Super Bowl menu pairs lighter fare such as vegetable trays and shrimp cocktails with crisp wines or hard seltzers, while heavier items like sliders and mac and cheese pair with amber ales or stouts.
Best Practices for Planning the Best Super Bowl Menu
Quantities and Cost Control
Industry guidelines recommend planning for 8 to 12 wings per adult guest, 2 to 3 pizza slices per person, and 1.5 ounces