Almost a quarter of Brits plan to attend a football watch party – and it's about the people, not just the football

• 24% of people plan to attend a football watch party 

• 26% believe football watch parties are becoming more like Super Bowl parties 

• 55% say watching with friends and family matters more than the match itself 

• Redrow teams up with hosting experts to reveal how to host a successful football watch party at home 
   

Brits are gearing up to host the football at home, according to new research from Redrow, with watch parties set to dominate living rooms across the country. 

Nearly a quarter (24%) of people plan to attend a football watch party over the oncoming weeks, while 26% believe football watch parties are becoming more like American 'Super Bowl-style' events.  

Over in the United States, football parties are incredibly popular. This year alone, 121 million people were set to attend a party for the Super Bowl*. Total spend on food, drinks, apparel, decorations and other purchases for the day was expected to reach a record $20.2 billion. 

With this in mind, Redrow surveyed 500 UK adults to understand whether people plan to host a football watch party – and spoke to industry experts, to help Brits plan for success on the night.  

Steve Mariner, Sales and Marketing Director at Redrow, outlines: "A watch party is about turning a big moment on screen into a shared experience at home. Instead of heading out, people are inviting friends and family over, planning the space and making an occasion of it together.  

"The current football series is a perfect example of that shift. It's a tournament that naturally brings people together, and more and more, those moments are happening in living rooms rather than venues." 

Watching together matters more than the match itself 

For many fans, football is about the people in the room, not just the action on screen. 

More than half (55%) of Brits say watching with friends and family is the most important part of a football watch party. This outranks watching the match itself (32%).  

It was also more popular than drinks (49%), food (47%), and the TV or projector set-up (25%). 

The findings suggest that football viewing is increasingly social, with shared reactions, rituals and atmosphere taking priority over pure football. 

Poor internet is the biggest threat to matchday at home 

As more people stream live matches, technical failures are becoming a common frustration. 

Nearly half of sports fans (48%) say they've missed part of a live sporting event due to poor internet, according to Redrow's research, often at crucial moments such as goals or penalties. 

Sebastien Lahtinen, Director at thinkbroadband.com, explains why live sport is particularly vulnerable. 

He says: "Live sport is one of the most demanding things you can do online because buffering at a critical point of an event can be most frustrating. Full fibre broadband is more reliable than other types of connectivity, but making sure your home Wi-Fi is optimal is key for most households.  

"If you are having issues, consider additional Wi-Fi extenders. If your Internet connected TV or set-top box is within a cable's reach of your router, consider using that instead of Wi-Fi." 

The pre-match preparation that can save a watch party 

With football matches decided by moments, preparation is critical. Sebastien recommends testing well ahead of kick-off. 

He says: "Stream some content, ideally from the same broadcaster, for at least 30 minutes and see if you notice any stuttering. 

"If there are issues, work through troubleshooting steps in advance. On the day, start streaming early so you have time to fix problems, even if that means running an emergency Ethernet cable to the router." 

Steve adds: "Having strong digital infrastructure built into homes from day one is really important and can lower the risk of buffering. All Redrow homes come with high-speed broadband as standard through FTTP (fibre to the premises), helping support everything from streaming to home working." 

Case Study: I'm a football fanatic – this is how I stop Wi-Fi issues from ruining matchday 

For lifelong England supporter and long-suffering Everton fan Jim Podmore, few things are more frustrating than a football match spoiled by a delayed stream. 

He spoke to Redrow about how he manages potential Wi-Fi pitfall ahead of a big game, sharing: "Watching the football is always a great experience; however it can easily be ruined by a slow stream.  

"There's nothing worse than watching the team you support in a big match, only for a goal to be spoiled by a goal notification or text message. Turning notifications off for any group chats and apps that provide score updates is crucial. And if you're having a watch party with friends or family, make sure they do the same - because they can, quite literally, give the game away.  

"It can be tempting to check social media during a lull in the action, but during this series, updates are likely to be plastered everywhere, so limiting checking social media until half time is good practice. 

"Given its summer, you may be tempted to host your watch party in the garden. However, I've had situations where neighbours had the same idea - and unfortunately, faster WiFi,  meaning we heard the celebrations before we saw the goal ourselves. While there's not much you can do to avoid it, inviting the neighbours round can be a nice way to prevent it from happening." 

A nine-step checklist to host the ultimate football watch party 

While having a good internet connection is key to a successful watch party, there are other things that hosts still need to think about. 

Gemma Logan, a party planning and group events expert at Groopeze with more than 12 years of hosting experience, shares her nine-step checklist for holding the ultimate football watch party. 

She shares: 

1. Shape the night by inviting the right people 

"A great Football watch party starts with the people you invite. Keep it tight enough that everyone can actually see the screen without craning their necks, but lively enough that the atmosphere builds naturally. Think about personality mix too. You want a couple of passionate football fans who will bring energy, a few casual viewers who are just there for the fun of it, and maybe someone who always brings unexpected commentary that gets everyone laughing. The balance is what makes the night feel alive rather than chaotic." 

2. Lock in viewing and sound before matchday 

"Nothing kills momentum like last minute scrambling with cables and remotes. Decide early where everyone will watch comfortably and make sure the screen is visible from every seat. If you can, test sound levels before anyone arrives so you are not shouting over a quiet commentary or dealing with sudden volume spikes. A simple rearrangement of furniture can completely change the feel of the room, so give yourself time to get it right." 

3. Set the mood with light-touch styling 

"Decor is where you can have a bit of fun without turning your home into a football theme park. Think light touches rather than full overhaul. Flags draped casually rather than perfectly pinned, team colours worked into cushions or table cloths, and a few printed fixtures or score sheets on the wall can all add to the mood. If you are feeling playful, chalkboard style signs for things like drink stations or snack zones always land well. 

"The trick is to make it feel like an occasion, not a costume. Avoid going too matchy-matchy with everything in one colour scheme, as it can feel a bit flat. Instead, layer small details so guests notice something different every time they look around. Even something as simple as swapping your usual lighting for warmer bulbs or adding fairy lights can shift the atmosphere into something more communal and cosy." 

4. Serve food that people can graze on 

"Football nights are not about formal dining, they are about easy, generous food people can pick at without missing the action. Think bowls of crisps, sliders, pizza slices, chicken wings, and plenty of vegetarian options so everyone feels looked after. The trick is variety without fuss. If guests can help themselves without asking where anything is, you have already won half the battle." 

More than half (51%) of hosts prepare simple snacks, according to Redrow's research, while 41% opt for grazing boards or sharing platters.  

Others order takeaway (28%) or ask guests to bring food and drink (25%). 

5. Keep drinks flowing without breaking the action 

"You want a mix that works for all guests. Some will want soft drinks, others might prefer beer or wine, and having plenty of non-alcoholic options makes everything more inclusive. A self-serve drinks station works brilliantly so no one is constantly heading to the kitchen during a tense moment. Keep ice topped up and glasses easy to find so it all feels relaxed rather than formal." 

6. Build atmosphere without turning it into a stadium 

"You do not need to turn your home into a stadium, but a few thoughtful touches go a long way. A bit of national team colour in napkins or tableware can add fun without feeling forced. Keep lighting soft enough for comfort but bright enough that people can still chat easily during half time. Music before kick-off can build anticipation, but switch it off once the match begins so the focus is on the game." 

7. Read the room as the match unfolds 

"Football matches can swing from quiet tension to explosive celebration in seconds. Good hosting is about reading the room. Give space for big moments, allow the cheering and groaning, and do not worry if things get loud. That shared reaction is the point of a watch party. At the same time, have a calm corner or area where anyone who wants a breather can slip away without feeling cut off from the group." 

8. Use half-time to reset the energy 

"Half time is more than a break, it is your chance to reset the energy. Refresh drinks, top up food, and let conversations flow without pressure. It is also a great moment to bring out something unexpected like a quiz question about the match or a quick prediction round for the second half. It keeps people engaged and builds anticipation for the restart." 

9. End the night as deliberately as you started it 

"Whether the result is joy or heartbreak, how you end the evening matters. Have a simple wind down plan so guests are not rushing out abruptly. A final round of drinks, a bit of post-match chat, and a relaxed atmosphere help everyone leave on a high. The best Football watch parties are not just about the game, they are about the feeling people take with them afterwards." 

Homes are increasingly being used as match day venues, says Redrow 

As more people host football watch parties, expectations of space and layout are changing. 

Steve concludes: "Major sporting tournaments like the current football series highlight how much our homes have become social spaces. People aren't just watching matches, they're hosting friends and family, often for several hours at a time. 

"That's why well-designed homes with flexible living areas, ultra-fast broadband and space for people to gather comfortably matter more than ever. Homes need to support those shared moments just as well as day-to-day life."