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Hosting a football watch party
Love an excuse to get your friends around? Then the football season’s your ticket to being the designated group host.
You don’t need to care about football to host a brilliant matchday at home. With the right setup, simple food and a few thoughtful touches, you can create a relaxed, social atmosphere that keeps everyone happy, whether they’re here for the game or just the snacks.
We’re talking big screens everyone can see, seating that actually works, easy crowd-pleasing food, and a setup that keeps the vibe going from kick-off to the final whistle, without you running around all day.
If you’d rather host than analyse the scoreline, you’re in the right place.
The game plan
Start off on the right foot by getting prepped before anyone arrives. That covers everything from making sure there’s enough seats to stocking up on drinks and nibbles. But you don’t have to make a mental note of it all. We’ve put together a list, so nothing gets missed.
Front row seats
You don’t want your guests struggling to see the action, so make sure you’ve got a big enough screen that gives everyone a pitchside view. It might even be a good time for an upgrade.
Good connections
Picture this, the game’s gone to penalties, the tension’s sky-high, then the buffering wheel of doom appears – and you’ve all missed the best part of the match. A host’s worst nightmare. Make sure your setup’s reliable with an Apple TV 4K or a Roku streaming stick, and, of course, a good WiFi signal.
A furniture shuffle
You’ve got a top-notch telly and a connection that rivals the pros, but none of that matters if the person who arrived last can’t see the screen. Take a few minutes to angle your furniture or move in a couple of extra chairs to the living room. Now every seat’s the best in the house.
A stadium-worthy sound
A great picture needs audio that’ll match the energy, and you don’t need a 10-speaker system to get there. A soundbar is an easy, low-hassle way to feel like you’re in the crowd. Need help picking one out? We’ve put together our best soundbars to make it easy.
Halftime nibbles
There’s nothing like a pause in play to make the home team peckish, so prep a snackboard that gives your mates a bit more than a bowl of ready salted crisps. We’re thinking nachos, dips, and crispy chicken wings fresh out of the air fryer. With a steady flow of finger food, you’ll have a house full of happy customers without spending most of the day fussing in the kitchen.
Who wants ice cream?
The short answer is, everyone. It’s another fun activity for kids to pick their favourite toppings and make their own creations – even if strawberries and crisps wouldn’t have been our first choice - but the grown-ups will also enjoy a scoop of vanilla or chocolate after a tense 90 minutes. Turn your kitchen into a dessert bar with the Ninja ice cream maker.
Get the drinks in
Stock up to give your guests plenty of choice, whether they fancy an afternoon tipple or it’s a morning match and coffee's on the menu. Fill your mini fridge with beers, cocktails, and soft drinks, and brush up on your iced coffee making skills with our homemade recipe – because nobody fancies a hot drink when it’s cracking flags outside. Another way to really make the day feel special is with a slushy showstopper. The Ninja Slushi is a perfect way to cool things down when the action heats up. Mix frozen margs, virgin mojitos, or fruity, alcohol-free treats in just a couple of steps.
Keep the kids happy (and quiet)
Even the best-planned matchday can go downhill with a little one that’s bored. Putting together some fun activities will help the kids feel included. Print out some colouring sheets, get them to help you build a kids’ snack bowl, or put on a film in a cosy corner for them, so they feel like part of the day. And when they feel like they need to run off some energy, a halftime match in the garden is loads of fun – looks like there’s a future striker in the family.
A post-match barbecue
If the sun’s out, it’d be a shame to waste it. Why not fire up the barbecue with all the classics? Burgers, wings, and hot dogs are always crowd pleasers. And if you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor pizza oven, you can treat the team to a slice or two in a few minutes. And, the best bit, it won’t make a mess in the kitchen since all your cooking’s done in the glorious sunshine. If you need a bit more inspiration, we've got tons of ideas you can try here.
Tackling the cleanup
With any big gathering comes the post-party cleaning. Everyone’s had a great time, there’s been free kicks, foulplay, and fun along the way, but now it’s time for the serious bit - crumbs on the couch, a mysterious mark that wasn’t there before, and a leaning tower of dirty dishes. So, before your head’s spinning with a never-ending to-do list, we’ve got quick, easy cleaning tips to get your home back to its best.
A quick whip around
If you feel like your living room’s become collateral damage during your team’s toughest match so far, we can help straighten things out. Get the cushions back on the sofa (instead of mysteriously in a plant pot), clear up any crumbs and spills, and give your furniture some TLC. It’ll look like nothing happened before you know it. We can help you get started here.
Fix up floors and furniture
From tough stains to trodden-in tracks, your furniture and floors have been through it. The good news is, we know all the best ways to bring it back from the chaos. Check out our cleaning tips.
Freshen up the fridge
When everyone’s cleared out and you’re left with half-empty dips, food that’s been on the side all day, and a fridge that looks like it’s been arranged by an angry toddler, it’s a good time to start fresh. Clear up any spills and spruce it up for the next fixture. Our guides here to help.
Get organised
Now your fridge is squeaky clean again and the world’s put to rights, you can get it neatly arranged for your next big shop - or if you’re considering hosting all over again. We’ll even go one better and help you make the most of your space too.
Spruce up the air fryer
After earning its keep all day, your air fryer deserves to take pride of place in your kitchen again — and our article shows you how to bring back its sparkle.
From prepping snacks to clearing up to the crumbs they’ve left, we’ve thought of everything that’ll make sure your guests enjoy the match, while getting your home through it in one piece. The main question is, now you’re everyone’s favourite host, will you do it all over again when the next fixture’s announced? Go on, then!
