From belt-busting snacks to overflowing glasses, Super Bowl watch parties give Americans a front-row seat to indulge.
But as the confetti settles and the Monday morning alarm rings, some fans may find themselves grappling with Super Bowl overindulgence — and guilt.
In our latest analysis, NJ.bet, an online casino and betting promo offers site, surveyed 1,200 NFL fans across the nation to uncover how much they eat, drink, and spend during the big game.
Here’s what we learned about NFL fan indulgence and the guilt that often follows.
Key Highlights
- Appetites are bigger in Texas: Houston Texans fans lead in calorie consumption, averaging 3,548 calories on gameday — one and a half times the FDA’s recommended daily intake.
- Pizza is the top Super Bowl food, favored by 74% of fans.
- Baltimore Ravens fans consume the most alcohol, averaging 3.8 beverages during the big game.
- Dallas Cowboys fans top the list for fans most likely to “pregame” before kickoff.
- 1 in 5 fans plan to cut back on Super Bowl spending this year, citing inflation and tighter budgets.
Which NFL Fans Consume the Most Calories?
When it comes to food, some fanbases take their Super Bowl feasts to championship levels.
Overall, NFL fans consume an average of 2,923 calories while watching the Super Bowl, which is nearly 1,000 more calories than the recommended daily value (2,000 calories), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
However, one region in particular reigns supreme in terms of calorie consumption. Texas teams take the top spots for fans who eat the most while watching the Super Bowl.
According to respondents, fans of the Houston Texans lead the league in calorie consumption, averaging a whopping 3,548 calories on game day, which is one and a half times the amount of recommended calorie intake for an entire day, according to the FDA. Not far behind are fans of the Dallas Cowboys (3,442 calories).
Rounding out the top five fanbases who consume the most calories while watching the Super Bowl are the Chicago Bears (3,356 calories), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3,350 calories), and the New York Jets (3,332 calories).
Top 10 NFL Fanbases Ranked by Average Calorie Consumption:
- Houston Texans: 3,548 calories
- Dallas Cowboys: 3,442 calories
- Chicago Bears: 3,356 calories
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3,350 calories
- New York Jets: 3,332 calories
- Tennessee Titans: 3,308 calories
- Baltimore Ravens: 3,149 calories
- New York Giants: 3,112 calories
- Buffalo Bills: 3,097 calories
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 3,080 calories
These numbers also come at a cost: more than one-third (38%) of fans admit to feeling guilty about overeating during the game, according to survey respondents.
Top 10 Most Popular Super Bowl Foods
Unsurprisingly, these calorie counts are driven by fan-favorite foods that dominate Super Bowl spreads.
Pizza takes the crown as the most popular Super Bowl food, with 74% of fans naming it their top choice. Wings, along with chips and dip, follow closely behind.
For context, an average slice of pizza, half dozen wings, and a serving of chips and dip can quickly add up to 965 calories, based on calorie estimates from the USDA. Considering those numbers, it’s easy to see how quickly calories can stack up during the big game.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 gameday favorites:
NFL Fans Who Drink the Most During the Super Bowl
For many NFL fans, food isn’t the only gameday indulgence. Alcohol consumption is another key ingredient of the celebration. But which fanbases drink the most during the Super Bowl?
Baltimore Ravens fans lead the pack, spending an average of $29.44 on drinks and consuming 3.8 beverages while watching the game. The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants round out the top three, with Raiders fans consuming an average of 3.7 alcoholic beverages and New York Giants fans gulping down an average of 3.6 drinks, according to respondents.
Throwing back a few cold ones and devouring snacks doesn’t come without a serving of guilt. According to respondents, 45% of fans admit to regretting their gameday eating and drinking habits the next day.
Super Bowl Pregame Rituals
For many NFL fans, the Super Bowl party starts before the game even kicks off.
According to respondents, fanbases most likely to “pregame,” or drink before the game starts, include the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Detroit Lions.
Super Bowl Spending: Cutting Back
According to respondents, the average food and drink budget for a Super Bowl watch party is $85.41. However, with inflation and tighter budgets, 1 in 5 fans (21%) plan to cut back on Super Bowl spending this year.
Gameday guilt isn’t limited to overeating—11% of fans feel guilty about spending too much on food and drinks.
Respondents also feel more recovery time is necessary after the Super Bowl. Nearly two-thirds of fans (65%) believe the Super Bowl should be moved to Saturday to allow for more recovery time.
Whether it’s the food, the drinks, or the atmosphere, the Super Bowl is a time for fans to come together and celebrate. As you plan your Super Bowl Sunday, remember to enjoy the moment — and maybe keep some Tums handy for Monday morning.
As NFL fans prepare for Super Bowl Sunday, the stakes are higher than ever — both on and off the field. Whether indulging in snacks or placing your bets, NJ.bet’s sports betting guide offers everything you need for the ultimate gameday experience.
Methodology
To uncover the food consumption habits of NFL fans, we conducted a nationwide survey of 1,200 respondents who regularly watch the NFL. The survey captured insights into the typical foods and beverages consumed while watching the Super Bowl. Respondents represented fans of all 32 NFL teams, ensuring diverse geographic representation and a comprehensive understanding of game-day eating habits.
To analyze the data, we calculated the average calorie consumption per fan base by assigning calorie estimates to the foods and beverages reported in the survey. To maintain accuracy, we identified and excluded outliers using the Interquartile Range (IQR) method, ensuring that extreme responses did not skew the averages.
Demographics: The survey respondents included 47% females, 51% males, and 2% identifying as non-binary/non-conforming. The average age of the respondents was 41 years. Limitations: The survey responses rely on self-reporting, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias.
Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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