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Insight of the Day: Study shows food more exciting than Super Bowl game, ads or halftime show

Writer's picture: InsightTrendsWorldInsightTrendsWorld

Detailed Findings:

  • Super Bowl Interest: Only 48% of Americans care about which team wins.

  • Food Focus:

    • 25% are more interested in the food than the game.

    • 54% believe the food spread can make or break the entire Super Bowl experience.

    • 38% find food more exciting than commercials; 47% find it more exciting than the halftime show.

  • Top Game Day Foods:

    • Buffalo/hot wings: 49%

    • Barbecue: 37%

    • Seven-layer dip: 36%

    • Pizza and chicken tenders/nuggets: 30% each

  • Party Planning:

    • 60% of respondents will host or attend a game day party.

    • Over half of hosts plan their menu at least a month in advance.

    • Menus typically include a mix of sweet and savory snacks like nachos, cookies, and potato chips.

  • Health Impacts:

    • High consumption of spicy foods leads to heartburn (22%), indigestion (16%), and upset stomach (17%).

    • Despite health concerns, 44% would still eat spicy foods.

    • One in four hope for antacids during parties; others keep them on hand.

  • Emotional Effects:

    • 1 in 7 experience heartburn from poor team performance or inconvenience during the game.

Key Takeaway:Food is becoming the highlight of the Super Bowl experience, with many Americans valuing the culinary and social aspects of game day more than the game itself, advertisements, or halftime shows.

Main Trend:Food-Centric Event Culture

Description of the Trend:The Super Bowl experience is increasingly defined by the quality and variety of food rather than the sporting event itself. Enthusiasts prioritize planning elaborate menus, seek social bonding through communal eating, and view food as the central element that shapes their overall enjoyment of the event.

What is Consumer Motivation:Consumers are motivated by the desire to create memorable, enjoyable gatherings with friends and family centered around high-quality, exciting food. They value the social experience and the pleasure derived from sharing meals more than the game's outcome.

What is Driving the Trend:

  • Shift in consumer focus from the sport to the social/culinary experience.

  • Availability of diverse and appealing game day foods.

  • Increasing importance of communal and shared experiences during major events.

  • Desire to enhance personal hosting skills and impress guests with quality food spreads.

What is Motivation Beyond the Trend:Beyond immediate satisfaction, consumers seek to strengthen social bonds, create lasting memories, and enhance their reputation as hosts by offering exceptional culinary experiences. This drive also reflects a broader cultural trend where food serves as a primary medium for connection and celebration.

Who Are the People the Article is Referring To:

  • U.S. adults aged 21-43 who participate in Super Bowl viewing parties.

  • Individuals who prioritize social gatherings and culinary experiences over the sport itself.

Description of Consumers’ Product or Service Referred to and Their Age:

  • Products/Services: Party food items, catering services, recipe planning tools, antacids, and promotional services centered on game day foods.

  • Age Range: 21-43 years, active in hosting and attending social events around the Super Bowl.

Conclusions:Food is taking center stage during the Super Bowl, overshadowing the game, commercials, and halftime show for many viewers. This shift opens up opportunities for brands to capitalize on the culinary and social aspects of the event, despite potential health concerns associated with popular game day foods.

Implications for Brands:

  • Develop and market food products specifically for game day celebrations.

  • Offer health-conscious alternatives or mitigations (e.g., mild spice options, antacids).

  • Create curated party kits and food bundles tailored for Super Bowl gatherings.

  • Promote recipe planning and menu customization tools for hosts.

Implication for Society:

  • Reinforces the importance of food as a social connector during major events.

  • Highlights potential health issues from overconsumption of spicy foods, increasing awareness about moderation and health planning.

  • Shows a cultural shift toward valuing social and culinary experiences over the actual sport.

Implications for Consumers:

  • Increased access to high-quality, diverse food options for social gatherings.

  • Better planning resources for hosting memorable events.

  • Awareness of health impacts tied to certain foods, encouraging moderated consumption or preparation for issues like heartburn.

Implication for Future:The food-centric approach to major events like the Super Bowl is likely to grow, prompting innovation in party foods, health-conscious alternatives, and technology-driven planning solutions, shaping future consumer behavior and brand offerings.

Consumer Trend (Detailed Description):Food-Centric Event CultureConsumers prioritize the culinary experience at major events, transforming how they engage with and enjoy occasions like the Super Bowl. This trend emphasizes planning, diversity, and quality of food, making gastronomic experiences a central part of social gatherings.

Consumer Sub Trend (Detailed Description):Event Menu MasteryA focus on detailed menu planning and creative food combinations for game day events, where consumers invest significant time and resources to curate memorable culinary experiences for guests.

Big Social Trend (Detailed Description):Social Bonding Through FoodFood acts as a key medium for social interaction and connection during events. This trend extends beyond the Super Bowl, highlighting how communities bond over shared culinary experiences, strengthening relationships through food.

Local Trend (Detailed Description):Regional Game Day SpecialtiesLocal food traditions and specialties become integral to game day celebrations, with regional vendors and restaurants offering tailored menus that enhance the communal experience and reflect local culture.

Worldwide Social Trend (Detailed Description):Global Celebration of Culinary CultureGlobally, significant events are increasingly centered around food, with people valuing the culinary component as much as, or more than, the event itself, promoting food as a universal language of celebration and connection.

Name of the Big Trend Implied by Article:Food-Centric Event Culture

Name of Big Social Trend Implied by Article:Social Bonding Through Food

Social Drive (Detailed Description):The drive is to enhance social experiences by centering events around exceptional food. People seek to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories through shared culinary experiences, placing food at the heart of social gatherings and event enjoyment.

Learnings for Companies to Use in 2025:

  • Acknowledge the central role of food in social events.

  • Develop products and services that enhance the culinary experience.

  • Provide tools for advanced menu planning and customization.

  • Address health concerns related to food consumption to improve consumer satisfaction.

Strategy Recommendations for Companies to Follow in 2025:

  1. Innovative Food Offerings: Create new, exciting food products and bundles tailored for events like the Super Bowl.

  2. Health-Conscious Choices: Offer milder, healthier alternatives and include health aids (like antacids) in promotions.

  3. Menu Planning Tools: Develop apps or platforms that help hosts plan menus, order supplies, and organize parties.

  4. Regional Customization: Partner with local chefs and vendors to offer region-specific food packages.

  5. Engage Through Storytelling: Use marketing to highlight the joy, social connection, and community building achieved through food-centered events.

Final Sentence (Key Concept):The main trend from the article is Food-Centric Event Culture, where food becomes the most exciting element of events like the Super Bowl, driving social bonding and transforming how consumers experience major gatherings.

What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025:Brands should focus on enhancing the culinary aspect of events by offering innovative food solutions, health-conscious alternatives, and planning tools that cater to social gatherings. By prioritizing quality, variety, and community engagement around food, companies can meet consumer demand and foster deeper connections.

Final Note:By implementing these strategies, brands can successfully take advantage of the Food-Centric Event Culture trend. They can market to consumers who are looking for engaging, high-quality food experiences during major events and are interested in social bonding through shared culinary delights. They can be a part of the Social Bonding Through Food movement.

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