How to Host a Soccer Watch Party

Score a memorable party experience by planning a few weeks in advance.

• Consider getting your place ready with a bigger sofa, extra seating or sports team decor like soccer wall art.
• Create a guest list so you know how many fans to expect.
• Determine your food and beverage budget.
• Decide if your watch party theme will be classic soccer, team colors or more of an international celebration.

Make every seat the best seat in the house.

• Use a screen projector to turn a blank wall into a screen everyone can see. Or move the party outdoors and set up a full projection system.
• For outdoor parties, get a pop-up canopy and fill it with team-colored cushions and fun decor.
• Arrange sofas, chairs and cozy bean bags to maximize both seating and visibility.
• Connect your screen to a soundbar or surround sound system to capture the roar of the crowd.

Welcome guests with a fun assortment that's easy to eat and celebrates the global nature of the tournament.

• Choose everyone's favorite finger foods such as chips, nachos or wings.
• For a show-stopping centerpiece, build a snack stadium. Arrange containers of chips, pretzels and cut veggies as "grandstands" around a "field" of guacamole and other dips.
• Set up a drink station with a bar cart filled with sodas, water and international beverages.

Tip: Use foil trays, serving platters or disposable containers to make cleanup simple.

Set the tone with "can't lose" decorating ideas. Here are a few below:

• Keep it simple with a classic black and white, green color scheme. Use these colors for balloons, streamers and tablecloths. Mix in your favorite soccer team colors as an accent.
• Pick up an artificial turf runner or rug for your main viewing area.
• For a fun way to start the party, have guests enter through a "Player Tunnel" made of a PVC pipe, streamers in different team colors and international flags.
• Set up a large chalkboard or whiteboard as a live tournament bracket where everyone can track scores.

• Fire up the grill with classics like burgers and hot dogs. Consider including grilled vegetable skewers for more variety.
• Arrange picnic tables and folding chairs to create comfortable seating zones. Provide shade with umbrellas or canopies.
• For evening games, hang LED string lights to light up the festivities.

Keep guests entertained with hands-on activities that spark a little friendly competition.

• Soccer Pennant: Get pre-cut felt triangles, markers and stickers so fans can decorate a pennant for their favorite team to wave during the game.
• Face Paint Bar: Provide a set of non-toxic, skin-safe face paint sticks, a mirror and wet wipes. Encourage everyone to put team flags on their cheeks or create bold team-colored stripes.
• Noise Shakers: Fill empty plastic bottles with dried beans or rice. Decorate them with colored paper and stickers and cheer big.

Keep young fans entertained with party activies just for them.

• Set up a mini soccer pitch in the yard with a small, portable goal for a friendly penalty kick contest during halftime.
• Do a tournament-inspired scavenger hunt. Hide soccer-related items like a team scarf, whistle or jerseys around. Give kids a list of clues to find them. Don’t forget prizes for the winners.

Hosting just a few friends in your apartment?

• Maximize your space by pushing the couch and chairs against the walls.
• Bring in folding chairs, floor cushions, ottomans or poufs for extra seating.
• Add colorful string lights in team colors to set the mood.
• Use a large cutting board for a bite-size spread of international foods.
• Fill a few buckets with ice and beverages and place them near your seating.
• Scatter several team scarves or mini flags on the walls.
• Keep things lively with a quick trivia contest before, during and after the game.

Send guests home on a high note.

• Fill party bags with favors like chocolate soccer balls, team keychains and international flag pins.
• Host a DIY medal ceremony for awards for "Best-Dressed Fan," “Best Game Commentator” and “Funniest Fan”.
• Set up a photo booth area with a simple backdrop made from a green tablecloth and fun props like team scarves, inflatable soccer balls and referee whistles. Create a unique hashtag so guests can keep the party going online.