The Super Bowl isn’t just the biggest sporting event of the year—it’s a cultural phenomenon that brings friends, families, and communities together over mountains of snacks and rivers of drinks.

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face off on the gridiron, fans across the country are gearing up for a day of indulgence, camaraderie, and, of course, food. Here’s a look at how the Super Bowl transforms into a feast of epic proportions, complete with jaw-dropping stats and fun facts.

Game-Day Gluttony: By the Numbers

The Super Bowl is a day of indulgence, and the numbers prove it. According to WalletHub:

  • 114 million parties will be held across the country, with an average of 14 guests at each.
  • Guests will consume a whopping 6,000 calories each, from pre-game snacks to the trophy presentation.
  • Collectively, fans will devour:
    • 1.45 billion chicken wings
    • 10 million pounds of ribs
    • 11.2 million pounds of potato chips
    • 304 million pounds of guacamole
  • Pizza orders will spike by 41% compared to a typical Sunday.

The Super Bowl is the snack food industry’s championship game. Last year, consumers spent a staggering $670 million on snacks during Super Bowl week, devouring 107 million pounds of chips, dips, wings, and more. This year, consumers’ average spend on food and beverages for the big game is anticipated to be increasing by $44, up 3% from last year.

  • Soft drinks and tortilla chips remain the top sellers, but refrigerated dips are gaining momentum, with a 9% increase in volume last year.
  • Private-label products are a hit, with 87% of shoppers—including those earning over $100,000—planning to buy store-brand items.
  • Healthier options are also in play, with 59% of fans looking to include better-for-you choices in their spread.

When it comes to drinks, the Super Bowl is a hydration showdown. Soda leads the pack, with 48% of fans planning to buy it, followed by beer (40%) and spirits (23%).

Nationally, 54 million cases of beer will be sold, totaling 1 billion in sales, while soft drinks and whiskey will add another 1 billion in sales, while soft drinks and whiskey will add another 743 million to the tally.

For many, the Super Bowl is as much about the food and drinks as it is about the game. 90% of fans will watch from home or at a gathering, and 83% plan to prepare at least some of their own game-day grub. Younger fans, especially Gen Z, are even more excited about the food and drinks than the game itself, with brand reputation, sustainability, and packaging playing key roles in their snack choices.

Team spirit also runs deep. While only 5% of U.S. shoppers identify as Chiefs fans and 1% as Eagles fans, 39% of viewers are rooting for the Chiefs and 46% are backing the Eagles (including 12% who are doing so simply because they dislike the Chiefs).

With all the eating, drinking, and cheering, it’s no surprise that 16.1 million people plan to call in sick to work the Monday after the game. Whether it’s from overindulgence or a late-night celebration, the Super Bowl’s impact stretches far beyond the final whistle.

A Celebration of Food, Family, and Football

At ARO and independent member locations, team members go above and beyond to make the Super Bowl celebration extra special for our guests. From crafting bright, eye-catching displays filled with game-day essentials like chips, dips, and beverages to creating festive event items such as Super Bowl-themed cakes, cookies, and platters, our stores are transformed into a one-stop shop for party planning.

“Game day is a team effort for the football teams, and also the store teams! The Super Bowl is a huge weekend for our guests as they prepare their parties, and for our team members who work hard to ensure our stores are stocked and ready,” said Jill Carter, bakery sales manager.

“It’s fun to see the decorators’ talents with Super Bowl cakes, cupcakes, or cookies, or bright displays with team colors. Our guests really look forward to the Super Bowl, so it’s rewarding to know we’re helped make that a success for them.”

Sources: Circana, NielsenIQ, Numerator, WalletHub