This summer, soccer fans will gather in front of TVs around the world to watch their favorite teams play for the big prize. While the players are putting their best foot forward on the field, put your best foot forward as the watch party GOAT (greatest of all time).
Here are eight must-haves to make your game day watch party as good as winning gold.
1. Plenty of seating
Rule No. 1 for hosting a game day watch party? Every seat should be a good seat. Arrange couches, tables and chairs so that no matter where someone decides to settle in, they have easy access to the food and can see the score without getting up.
Be creative with it, and don’t be afraid of mismatching the types of seating. This is less about aesthetics and more about comfort. If you’re running low on seating options, you could even ask your guests to BYOC (bring your own chair). This is especially good for outdoor watch parties where guests may opt to sit in their own beach or camping chairs.
2. Snacks
Sometimes the best part of game day is good snacks. Impress your guests with lots of mouthwatering bites, like:
A focaccia slab sandwich big enough to share:
Cast iron skillet pizza:
Sweet chili wings:
If you love Buffalo wings, we have an entire post dedicated to those!
French onion mac and cheese:
Handheld strawberry cheesecake bars for dessert:
You can also try mixing things up with bites from around the world to honor each country’s team. Think sushi for Japan, pretzel bites and beer cheese for Germany, tacos for Mexico and so on.
If you’re bringing a dish to a game day watch party, make it easy on yourself with something that’s portable and won’t be a chore to pack up at the end of the night. When it comes to easy transport, dip is always a winner.
Try this easy pickle dip that uses its own pickle jar as a container (complete with a secure, screw-top lid!):
3. A drink everyone will love
A good hosting tip for a game day party (or any party, for that matter) is to make sure your guests have a drink in hand within five minutes of their arrival. Not only does this ensure they won’t have to go looking for one on their own, but it helps people feel more comfortable, too.
Keep lots of options available, especially beverages that are non-alcoholic. Water, soda and a yummy mocktail are all good choices and ensure everyone can enjoy the fun.
This “kickless” mojito brings together the bright, summery flavors of mango, lemon, lime and mint for a booze-less take on the classic cocktail.
Watch how to make it:
For one mocktail, you’ll need:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lime (plus a slice for garnish)
- Fresh mint
- 1/2 cup fresh mango, or frozen and thawed
- Seltzer or sparkling water
- Simple syrup to taste
Blend the mango until smooth. Muddle a few mint leaves with the lemon and lime juice to infuse the flavor. To a glass filled with ice, add the lemon/lime/mint mixture, simple syrup if you’d like it sweetened and then the mango puree. Top with seltzer or sparkling water and garnish with fresh mint and a slice of lime.
4. A good playlist
Before the game’s on and your guests are milling about, have a playlist running in the background that’ll get people pumped up for the match. If you’re stumped, ask each guest for their five favorites beforehand and shuffle the songs. This is a good way to get everyone’s tastes in the mix and also makes for lots of laughs when you try to guess who picked which song.
5. Conversation starters
In a group setting, it’s typical for not everyone to know each other. Get the conversations going with un-boring questions to kick things off, like:
- What’s a fun fact you recently learned?
- Do you have a hot take?
- What subject are you an expert on?
- Do you have a hidden talent?
- Who can make you laugh the hardest?
- What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
6. Something for the non-fans
It’s true; not everyone comes to a game day watch party to watch the game — some of us are there as begrudging plus-ones. Make sure you’re involving any non-fans as best you can with something interactive like bingo. Fill up the squares with fun instances they can keep track of, like when the home team scores its first goal, when someone commits a party foul like spilling a drink or when the most passionate guest inevitably cries over their team’s win or loss. Their prize for getting “Bingo!”? A free pass to never have to attend a sports-related party again.
Weekend Road Trips in the Northeast
Looking for a weekend getaway? The Northeast is full of fascinating museums, natural beauty, quirky destinations and more. Just hop in the car and head out on one of these road trips.
Go now!7. A parting gift
No matter what the score ends up being, a party favor will make everyone happy. Go heavy on the theme here, incorporating elements like chocolate soccer balls or cupcakes with soccer ball-shaped frosting, mini toy versions of favorite players or official host city posters.
8. A game plan
Nobody likes to think about the worst possible scenarios — especially not on game day — but it’s always a good idea to be prepared for potential liabilities when hosting an event. These are a few things to keep in mind:
- Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of cooking mishaps. Check beforehand to know whether yours is expired.
- Make sure any shared space is easily accessible for all guests and any spills are cleared quickly to avoid tripping hazards.
- If you are serving alcohol, assign a designated driver so those who overindulge have a safe ride home.
What are you watch party tips? Share them in the comments!
Last updated on June 18, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Sarah has been a copywriter and content producer with AAA Northeast since 2021. When she’s not scouring the best spots for all things food and drink or whipping up her own versions of tasty meals, you can often find her in the garden, planning her next trip or sipping on (another) hot coffee.
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