How to host the perfect football watch party

Excited for an upcoming football match? Whether you want to enjoy the game  alone or with friends and family, why not make your watch-party experience as fun and comfortable as possible? Set up for the perfect match night and enjoy the football hype to the fullest with these tips. 

Do some research

If you’re a die-hard football fan, you’ll naturally be ready to watch big matches like the UEFA EURO 2024™ and be ready to share your tips for who will win. But if you’re a casual football fan or a complete newbie you’ll be surprised at how much info is on there about teams, tips and even the betting odds for each team to win. The more informed you are the more fun you’ll have watching the game. So, get online and get up to speed on the world’s most beautiful game.

Check out our article on the Olympic Stadium in Berlin for starters – home to the UEFA Final. And on Optus Sport you can dip into a mini-match or highlights, extensive live coverage throughout the tournaments plus insights and analysis from the Optus Sport team.

Prepare food and drinks beforehand

Who doesn’t love some delicious foods and drinks to accompany a live game? Although the match is the star of the show, some great food and drink options can make your viewing experience even more fun and memorable. Whether you want some light snacks to munch on or a full-on meal to enjoy as dinner, it’s a good idea to have it all prepared and ready before the game so you don’t have to worry during the match. 

Some versatile and delicious food options for the perfect match night include pizza, sausage sizzles, saucy chicken wings, and even nachos and guacamole. Simple to order for takeaway, as well as quick and easy to prepare in your own kitchen, these foods are sure to make great company for your ideal match night.

Dial in friends and family who can’t make it

If you’re planning on hosting the perfect match night with friends and family, make sure to include those who might not be able to attend physically. With so many online options to bring people together, it’ll be quite simple to dial in friends and family who can’t make it in person. From Zoom and FaceTime video calls to Discord voice and text chats, there are many ways to share your excitement with others while enjoying a football match.

Rather than video calling from your phone, you might want to broadcast your friends and family on a bigger screen so you can see their live reactions to the game clearly. Tablets can be a great option to consider if you want a portable device with a bigger display.

Get your streaming set-up ready

What’s a football watch party without the right streaming set-up? To ensure that match night runs as seamlessly as possible, it’ll be beneficial to test your streaming set-up before the match. For example, make sure that you’re subscribed to the right broadcasting platform for the match and that its video formatting is compatible with your screening device (like your television or projector). 

Also, make sure that your sound system is up and running with no issues. Smart speakers with Bluetooth connections can fill your living room with sound while simultaneously connected to multiple devices, like your television or phone, to make for a convenient watch-party experience.

Block out your calendar for the match

Nothing’s worse than getting distracted by a phone notification right in the middle of an intense attempted goal. If you know you’re doing to dedicate some time to watching a hype football match, make sure you block out your personal calendar as early as you can. This way, you know to mute notifications during the match and avoid double-booking any other activities for that time slot.

Make comfort a priority

Time to get comfy. After all, if you add up the pre- and post-match programs, the game itself, breaks and extra time - you'll be watching for at least two hours. So set the room up for maximum comfort to enjoy the whole match without any hassles.  

Lastly, keep an eye out on the weather on the big night. Depending on the match it could be winter in the northern hemisphere and summer here or vice versa. So, either get out the blankets or fans so everyone can be comfortable for the big game.  

Most importantly – have fun.