Super Bowl LX Party Planning Guide: Timeline, Food, and Activities

This year, Super Bowl LX (60) kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET.

Short answer: Start prep a week out, tell guests to arrive 90 minutes before kickoff (2 PM PT / 5 PM ET), set up food stations and activities for non-fans, and use a simple RSVP system. Keep food buffet-style and have 2-3 activities ready for kids and halftime.

• Send invites 2-3 weeks early with a clear RSVP deadline
• Plan arrival for 2 PM PT/5 PM ET, kickoff at 3:30 PM PT/6:30 PM ET
• Set up a nacho bar or chili station for easy grazing
• Create a “non-fan zone” with commercial bingo and a craft table
• Use a photo booth and Gather Shot to capture the memories

Who This Guide Is For

• Hosts who want everyone at the party to have fun, not just football diehards
• Parents planning with kids in attendance
• First-time Super Bowl party hosts who need a clear timeline

Not for: Hardcore watch-party purists who want zero distractions from the game.

Your Super Bowl LX Timeline

2-3 weeks before: Send digital invites with date (Sunday, Feb 8, 2026), arrival time, and RSVP deadline. Ask guests to “pick a team” when they RSVP. Need help getting commitments? See our guide on how to get people to actually show up to your party .

1 week before: Confirm headcount. Send a hype message with a sneak peek of your menu.

Day before: Prep chili, slice veggies, set up your photo booth backdrop.

Game day:

• 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET: Start setting up food stations and activities
• 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET: Guests arrive, drinks flowing
• 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET: Kickoff
• Halftime: Run a quick trivia game or field goal contest
• Post-game: Award prizes for prop bets and “best dish”

Easy Food Ideas

Keep it buffet-style so guests graze throughout the game.

Main stations:

• Build-your-own nacho bar with beef, beans, queso, and toppings
• Slow cooker chili with cornbread muffins
• Walking tacos (guests add toppings directly into chip bags)

Quick apps:

• Veggie cups with hummus
• Football-shaped stuffed breadsticks
• Mini slider bar

Drinks: Cocktails and Mocktails

Cocktails:

• “Kickoff Punch” (vodka, orange juice, pineapple, lime, topped with soda)
• Team-color cocktails using blue curaçao or cranberry juice

Mocktails:

• Football float bar (root beer or orange soda with vanilla ice cream)
• Team-color lemonades with colored sports drinks
• Infused water station with cucumber-mint and strawberry-lemon

Activities for Kids and Non-Fans

For kids:

• Commercial bingo with brand logos
• DIY craft table for team spirit bracelets
• Foam football toss challenge
• Quiet corner with coloring books or a movie
• Photo scavenger hunt with game day prompts

For adults who skip the game:

• Commercial critic scorecards (rate ads 1-10)
• Snack tasting station with voting ballots

Game Day Activities for Everyone

• Super Bowl squares with small prizes each quarter
• Prop bet sheets (coin toss, Gatorade color, first team to score)
• Halftime trivia about past Super Bowls or the halftime performer (similar to a March Madness bracket bash )
• Photo challenge with silly prompts like “best touchdown pose”

Capture Every Moment with Gather Shot

Set up a QR code at your party so guests can upload their photos and videos to one shared gallery. No app downloads required. You will end up with candid shots from every angle instead of chasing people for photos later. Learn more about the best ways to collect event photos from guests .

Print your QR code on the food table or near the TV, and watch the gallery fill up in real time. Check out our effortless photo collection feature to see how it works.

Summary and Next Steps

Start your prep now: send invites this week, finalize your menu by the weekend before, and set up your Gather Shot gallery so you capture every touchdown celebration and halftime dance-off.

Create your free event gallery and get your QR code ready for game day.