As football fans prepare for the biggest Sunday of the year, hosts can breathe a sigh of relief regarding the menu. According to the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, hosting a Super Bowl party in 2026 will cost approximately $140 for a group of 10 hungry and thirsty fans. While this represents a slight price increase year over year, it’s relatively speaking a great deal this year, even if it may not feel like it.
The total price tag of $140 is up only slightly from last year’s cost of $138, representing a modest 1.6% increase. When placed in the context of the broader economy, this price stability is a win for consumers. The report notes the consumer price index (CPI) for food at home is sitting at 2.4%, meaning the cost of a Super Bowl party is rising slower than the average grocery bill. Furthermore, average hourly wages have risen 3.8% to $31.99, providing hosts with increased purchasing power to celebrate without breaking the bank. Still, it may be cold comfort to Americans who have dealt with years of price increases.
“It’s really hard for most Americans to remember what they put in their shopping cart,” Wells Fargo agricultural economist Michael Swanson told Fortune. “And so that checkout receipt is always kind of a random surprise for them, depending on what’s in it. So I think they’ll have to think about it before they’re happy about it.”
