Super Bowl LVII Party Costs Might Be Lower for Big Game Spreads

Even if Super Bowl LVII means nothing to some viewers other than a reason to watch Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, the food is a major reason to gather and take part in the biggest football game of the season. Planning a meal to serve to family and friends in 2024 could be a bit easier than expected, as consumers will find that prices on some Super Bowl staples have gone down from last year.

As the San Francisco 49ers square off against the Kansas City Chiefs, football fans will have more choices than ever for their game-day spreads. According to a Wells Fargo report, fluctuating costs in different food categories could be a win for shoppers.

This could affect what can be served at parties, where finger foods, chili, and sandwiches reign supreme.

Wells Fargo reports that based on early January 2024 data from Circana, “fresh and frozen chicken wings are averaging $3.26 and $3.17 respectively” per pound, bringing the cost of fresh chicken wings down 5% compared to January 2023. For even bigger savings, football fans can purchase frozen wings, down 11% compared to a year ago.

The company also reveals that the price of ground beef, a popular option for chili, is improving but still high compared to last year. This is due to record low cattle numbers. The most recent four-week average from early January 2024 showed prices as high as $4.25 per pound, which is an increase of nearly 12% from 2023.

Other viewer favorites, such as tortilla chips, potato chips, avocado dip, guacamole, and salsa, all saw a price bump upward over the past year. The prices of these convenience foods increased due to labor and packaging increases.

Wells Fargo suggests consumers look for alternative options to their favorite chips and dips, including generic brands, to cut costs. While they’re at it, shopping store brands on soft drinks could benefit shoppers’ wallets as well, due to an increase in the price of name-brand fizzy beverages as they enjoy the big game.

One more popular item that has gone down in price is shrimp, which is currently averaging $8.84 per pound, down 6.4% from a year ago.