Unique Tips for the Ultimate Sports Events
In the fast-paced world of sports events, capturing the hearts and appetites of fans is no small feat. Whether you're a restaurant, a hotel, a bar, or a catering business, the key to success lies in offering more than just good food and drinks. To stand out in this competitive arena, you need a winning playbook of unique tips and strategies that will not only satisfy the cravings of sports enthusiasts but also create an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more. In this guide, we'll unveil a curated selection of innovative ideas to elevate your offerings, boost your revenue, and ensure your establishment becomes the ultimate destination for fans to indulge in their favorite games while savoring delicious bites and refreshing beverages.
The Venue
It’s about the destination.
The venue sets the stage for your ultimate game day party. Choosing the Perfect Location is a must for the overall success of your event. Restaurants, Hotels, and bars are great options for celebrating sports. If you want to take it above and beyond for the big finals, thinking outside of the box can bring a lot of attention and profit into your business. There are several ways to celebrate sports. You can host your event at your place of business, arrange for a catered event at an inviting location such as a park or a stadium, or go all out with a parking lot tailgate party. If you have the space, hosting a tailgate party in your parking lot can be a fantastic option. Set up a big screen or projector screen to play the game for all to cheer on their favorite team. You can set up tables for food and drinks and have plenty of space for outdoor games for patrons to enjoy. Another option is a company picnic event. Have it at a park or in a large open space ideally. Here guests can bring their whole family and make it a team building experience. Check out How to Create a Sports Themed Company Picnic HERE.
The Invitation
Get the word out
When it comes to invitations, there are various ways to spread the word. You can use posters, flyers, email, social media, traditional mail, and word of mouth. Assign a couple of employees to spread the word around town. We suggest all of the above. Decide if it will be a paid event. Depending on the scale of your event, you can choose to make it an invite-only gathering or simply a "come one, come all" affair. Consider creating sports-themed event tickets. You may consider selling VIP tickets with a special pro guest meet and greet. Consider having donated items for a charity raffle or an auction. Ask vendors if they would like to contribute an item or service. Don't forget to grab some raffle tickets if you plan on having raffle items.
The Music
Setting the Mood Right
Picking the right music is key. Make a playlist. Check online for songs related to the sports theme, such as "Thunderstruck" for football or "Centerfield" for baseball. A good playlist can add a lot to the atmosphere of your party. Get more ideas HERE.
The Decor
First Impressions set the vibe
Decor plays a significant role in creating the right ambiance. Consider using trophies, balls, photos, and even an astro turf walkway. Place various sporting equipment and sports trading cards around the room on tables for fun decor. Team colors should feature prominently in your tableware, including tablecloths, napkins, plates, cups, flowers, appetizers, and drinks.
The Experience (AKA The Activities/Games)
Celebrate good times , come on!
Besides watching the big game or tournament on a big screen, to keep your guests entertained, consider incorporating various activities and games. These could even be featured throughout the week building up to the event to get guests hyped up and back in your doors. Here are a few ideas:
Sports Trivia: Before the event, prepare appropriate trivia questions and answers at different levels. If space allows, set up a mock playing field where players can "run the bases" or "score goals" after successfully answering trivia questions.
Fanatic Fan Contest: Award prizes for the party participants dressed in the most outrageous representations of their favorite sports teams.
Clue Event Night: Host a sports-themed clue event for a unique and interactive experience.
Activities like golf, soccer, baseball, football, foosball, ping pong, pickleball, and more can keep the crowd engaged. Set up a game or two. Sporting goods stores and toy stores usually carry different variations of different sports games. You can even rent video game machines, sports simulators, or game consoles for added entertainment.
The Cocktails
Themed Drinks for the Win
Create specialty cocktails to match the sports theme. Consider using ice molds shaped like the playing teams or the shape of the ball. A "Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar" can be a hit with guests. Garnish with a Football, Baseball, Golf Tee, Soccer, Basketball, or Tennis Ball Pick. Use chalkboard picks with a chalk marker to label the different sides. And, for those who enjoy drinking games, consider setting up classics like beer pong, quarters, and flip cup.
The Food
Delicious Stadium Favorites
Food is a central part of any game day party. Set up an appetizer snack station with stadium favorites but with a gourmet twist. Think flavored hot roasted peanuts in palm leaf bowls, Gatorade with a sports drink pick fruit garnish, ice cream with a popcorn topping on a bamboo plate, or a stadium dog with chorizo and kimchi topping. Another unique option is to serve cuisine famous from the team's hailing city. For example, for a 49ers game, serve up Sourdough Clam Chowder Bowls, Pacific Oysters, and Ghirardelli Hot Fudge sundaes. Top sandwiches and burgers with our Custom Flags or Custom Picks.
With the right venue, invites, music, decor, activities, cocktails, and food, you're well on your way to hosting the ultimate game day party. So, pick your sporting event, plan your event, and your guests will certainly have a ball and remember you for years to come.
Bonus!
15 Creative Food Ideas for any Sports Event:
- Toss popcorn chicken in Wood Cones.
- Nest juicy hot dogs (piled with all the fixings) in 10" X 2" Palm Leaf Trays.
- Add Sports Picks to tasty fried chicken sliders accompanied with local brewery tasters.
- Scoop a few zesty meatballs in 3.5" Palm Leaf Bowls and stick one of the meatballs with a Sports Pick.
- Pop some french fries or onion rings in Bamboo Boats.
- Pile ultimate nachos on individual Bamboo Plates.
- Bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers held together with water soaked Boat Oars then baked.
- Sauteed skewered shrimp with sides of melted butter in 2.5" Palm Leaf Mini Bowls for dipping.
- Serve cheese curds with custom branded picks with your logo
- Put potato skin bites in 2.75" Bamboo Cups.
- Present burgers on a disposable serving board. Customize it for a premium presentation!
- Design your game-day cocktails with Sports Picks garnished. Try mini grilled cheese in bloody marys or olives in light beer.
- Toss bamboo straws in cups of ice cold touchdown tea or refreshing Arnold Palmers.
- Plate a pile of buffalo wings on 9" Palm Leaf Plates with 2.5" Mini Palm Leaf Bowl sides of ranch.
- Pack Individual Charcuterie Boxes with all the favorite cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, etc. Toss in a few Sports Picks for easy snacking.