How to Host the Best Game Day Party in Your Outdoor Space

Seating

You need great seating, and folding chairs just won’t do it. When people are sitting outside for long periods of time, they want to be comfy. Since you can’t bring your family room couch outside, consider grabbing some Adirondack chairs. These chairs are durable, comfortable and stylish. They come in many colors and are built to withstand the elements. They’ll make great seating for all of your guests. Moreover, the Adirondack chairs will make an aesthetically pleasing addition to your outdoor space even after the game. They’re the perfect place to sit and take in the scenery, have a late chat with your son or have perfect game day party seating.

Snacks Worthy of a Trophy

Half of the fun of watching the big game is the snacks. If you’re hosting a party, people will expect some good appetizers at least. Perhaps chips and a veggie tray might cut it for other gatherings, but not on the big game day. According to Today.com, the most searched-for game-day snacks include:

1. Buffalo chicken dip

2. Seven-layer dip

3. Chili

4. Spinach artichoke dip

5. Taco dip.



Another noteworthy snack that comes up a lot is wings. So, if you want something heartier, those might be a good option. If you don’t like cooking, you can also buy many of these snacks as ready-to-bake or ready-to-eat.

Since you’ll be hosting outside, you probably don’t want to put the food inside when everyone is outside. It could ruin the flow of the party. However, you probably don’t have a big kitchen island in your backyard. So, grab an outdoor utility cart to use as a snack-serving space. It offers a great easy-to-clean surface that can even be rolled away if needed. It also has a paper towel rack, a spice rack, a bottle opener, extra storage and so much more.

Drink Cooler

Now that you have the food down, you’ll also need cold drinks. If your crowd prefers to spice it up with cocktails, the Food Network has a list of 35 you can try here. However, others might just enjoy a beer or even soda. The key thing to remember about game day drinks is that people will want them cold. No one says they want to sip on a lukewarm soda. Since you don’t have a fridge on your back patio and you don’t want your guests going inside to rummage through your fridge, grab a drink cooler. We’re not talking about the cooler you took fishing last week. You’ll want something nicer that gives your guests the space they need to find a good drink. This outdoor drink cooler from Keter includes space for many cans. It can be easily moved and even includes serving space on the sides. So, you can mix and pour drinks too, if needed.

How to Stream the Game

One of the biggest things you’ll need to figure out with your outside viewing space is how you’re going to show the big game. Most people don’t have TVs mounted on their patios. So, you’ll either have to move a large TV outside, or you’ll need to find a way to project the game on a big screen. 

You can rent these big screens from different companies, or you can often use a large white sheet. You’ll need to find a place out of direct sunlight, or it might be too difficult to see the game. You’ll want to set up your screen, and you’ll need a projector. These can also be rented or you can buy smaller versions from an electronics store. You’ll need to hook the projector to a tablet, phone or computer so you can stream the game. 

You’ll also want to make sure your subscriptions are up to date, and that you haven’t forgotten your passwords for your streaming service. You’ll also want to make sure your Wi-Fi is running strong to avoid skips and interruptions to the game. Consider also running a speed test and checking your device for updates before beginning streaming.

How to Configure Everything

Once you have everything figured out, you’ll need to think about the configuration of your outdoor space. Is there enough shade, will it be warm enough, where should the snacks and drinks go so people aren’t walking in front of the game, etc. This might sound minor, but trust us, planning the configuration of your outdoor furniture matters for the perfect game day viewing party.

Friendly Competition

While some people are there to watch the game, others are there for the commercials, and some just love the halftime show. There might be other guests who will enjoy some activities, games or friendly competition. You can always throw a few lawn games out on the grass in case anyone needs to walk around and do something else for a few minutes. If this will be a kid-friendly party, also make sure to have some activities or toys out for the kids. You’ll thank us later when you can watch the game in peace.

That should pretty much cover all your goalposts. Once you have everything set, tested and ready to go, all you have left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the game with your friends.