Fall Sports Watching Get-Together

Passion for sports—football, motorsports, baseball, soccer—leads fans to gather for afternoons or evenings of TV watching or vigorous games of their own. Every championship event calls for championship food like these full of fall flavors. Or, use this versatile menu to gather friends to eat and watch the season premiere of a favorite TV show!

"Cupcakes are the perfect snack to the ball park or soccer field—no utensils are needed and always have just the right amount."

Karen, Editor - BettyCrocker.com

The Menu
Party Guide
Plan Ahead

Food Fixins’

Turn warm Reuben sandwiches into cool Rachel sandwiches by using a slow-cooked pastrami or turkey breast for the corned beef. Use your favorite coleslaw for the sauerkraut.

Instead of serving cookies and bars, pass a plate of sport-appropriate Ball Game Cupcakes.

Instead of serving the cookies or bars during the game, save them for guests to take home as flavorful party favors. Wrap a few in a small plastic bag for each guest, and tie bags with ribbon in your team’s colors. Here are some we suggest:

Use a sport-inspired cake as your centerpiece. Don’t miss these three suggestions:

Meeting & Greeting

If some party guests won't know each other, make sport-appropriate name tags for everyone. You can add the name of the team they are rooting for, or their favorite player or driver.

Fun & Predictions

Have guests secretly write their name and predictions for the winning team and final score on a small piece of paper. At the end of the party, award a prize, such as sports sweatbands or a six- or twelve-pack of soda pop or beer, to the guest with the correct or closest-to-correct answers.

Look for more family-friendly games online. You’ll find plenty!

Setting the Table

Purchase paper tablecloth, napkins and plates in your team's colors. Arrange food on table or counter so guests can help themselves anytime during the game.

Buy guest-size terry towels for napkins.

Trays make it easy for guests. Borrow some or look for them when shopping tag sales or as second-hand store finds. Give them a new coat of paint and sticker them in your team’s logos or colors.

NOTE: This menu uses two slow cookers. Plan to get the loan of one from a friend or neighbor.

Up To 1 Week Before

Make Chili and Garlic Snack Mix; store in airtight container.
Make Cheddar Cheese Apples, following recipe’s Storage Tip.

The Day Before

Bake or make cookies and bars of your choice. Pumpkin-Ginger Bars and Spicy Pumpkin Cookies can be made further ahead and frozen if you choose; wait to frost until thawed.

The Morning Of