Martin’s Ultimate Game Plan

Less than one week until the Big Game—the largest pro football event of the season! If you’re planning to host a watch party but haven’t quite worked out all the details yet, we’re here for you. Scan through our Ultimate Game Plan guide below for everything from set-up tips to décor and recipe ideas!

Game Day Schedule

Having a detailed action plan is a smart idea for any party. It helps break up tasks into manageable portions rather than rushing around at the last minute. After all, the host should be allowed to enjoy the party along with the rest of the guests!

Planning Phase:

Hopefully by now you’ve already determined your guest list and estimated arrival time, but if not, this should be your first step. You’ll need a final guest count to determine how much food, drinks, and seating to provide; and you’ll need to know the start time so you can plan accordingly.

If your party will have a custom theme (such as a specific team’s colors), be sure to choose your décor along with any additional games or activities during this phase as well.

Preparation Phase:

A week out (right about now), you’ll want to finalize your Game Day menu so you can get all your grocery shopping done before the big day! Be sure to plan accordingly based on your guest count and any dietary restrictions.

PRO TIP: For a party of 25 people, we suggest 2-3 appetizers, 2 main dishes, an assortment of fruits and veggies, 1-2 desserts, and plenty of drinks and snacks. (P.S. Finger foods and make-ahead dishes are always a “win.”)

For a sample menu complete with game day recipes, be sure to download our Ultimate Game Plan Playbook by following the link at the bottom of this post!

Party Phase:

The morning of Game Day, make sure your house is in order—rearrange any necessary furniture, set out extra tables or chairs, and tidy up the living areas where guests will spend the majority of their time. With your guests’ arrival time in mind, finish decorating and preparing any remaining food items so everything will be in order come party time.

As long as you’ve stayed fairly organized throughout the process, Game Time should be a breeze! Sit back and relax as you cheer on your favorite team and enjoy the delicious food and great company!

After the party is over, be sure to clean up and package up any leftover food. (P.S. You’ll find some great recipe ideas using leftovers in our Ultimate Game Plan Playbook as well!)

Game Day Recipes

For your main entrée options during the Big Game, sandwiches are a great choice—they can be prepared in bulk and are easy handheld options for your cheering fans.

Try the two options below using Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls (on sale now in select stores).

Honey Mustard Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Topped with crispy bacon and Swiss cheese, these honey mustard-glazed pulled chicken sandwiches are just the right balance of flavors for everyone in your party. Not only that, but they couldn’t be any easier to prepare—just toss together the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. Go about planning the rest of your party, then serve them up as your guests arrive!

https://potatorolls.com/recipes/slow-cooker-honey-mustard-pulled-chicken-sandwiches

Bonus tip: A slow cooker is a great method for preparing food ahead of time. (Check out our 10 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Tailgating post for more inspiration!)

Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches

This recipe is an easier take on sausage and pepper subs, using our sandwich rolls. Just sauté some ground Italian sausage with diced peppers and onions, pile onto lightly toasted rolls topped with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella, and bake in the oven until melty and toasted. You can easily double the recipe to make 16 full-sized sandwiches for your hungry guests.

https://potatorolls.com/recipes/sausage-and-pepper-sandwiches

For more recipe ideas, including appetizers, side dishes, and desserts, check out Martin’s Ultimate Game Plan landing page and printable PDF playbook at the link below!

{Giveaway Alert}

To receive our complete Ultimate Game Plan Playbook, go to https://MartinsUltimateGamePlan.com.

By downloading the PDF, you’ll also be entered to WIN free groceries for a year (a great excuse to host more parties)! (But hurry—the contest ends Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET!)