This year, March Madness falls between Tuesday, March 14 and Monday, April 3, 2023. Hosting a March Madness viewing party gives you a great opportunity to have fun, cheer on your favorite team, and spend time with friends and family. If you would rather just sit back, watch the game, and enjoy some great food, you can always hire a Tucson catering company to handle the food and snacks. Here’s a quick guide to hosting a March Madness viewing party and planning your menu.
Choose a Date That Works for the Most People
Because March Madness lasts for almost three weeks, you can be strategic about finding a date that works for the most people. Or you can choose an earlier date if you’re worried your favorite team won’t make it very far in the tournament. Create a survey on Google Polls or Doodle to find out which dates work for your prospective guests. Keep in mind that some games happen during the morning and afternoon. And of course, you can always choose to host a party on the date of the Final Four games (April 1) or the NCAA championship game (April 3).
Plan a Punny Menu
Everyone loves a punny menu that brings fun and lightness to the party’s theme. And March Madness offers so many opportunities for you to bring out your punny side. For instance, create a menu of puns on current and/or past NBA player names, like Jeremy Linguini, Draymond Green Beans, Calamari Stoudemire, Allen Crabbe Legs, Jamal Crawfish, Mussel Westbrook, LePrawn James, etc.
Don’t Forget the Starters!
Make sure everyone has something to snack on before you serve a more substantial meal. Consider concession stand favorites like soft pretzels, popcorn, nachos, and pigs in a blanket. You can even set up a little concession stand in your den, dining room, or kitchen that guests can visit during commercial breaks. If you’re inviting kids to the party, they’ll love this part – they’ll probably even fight over who gets to “work” at the concession stand!
Start a Bracket Pool
Hand out or email brackets to party guests ahead of the start of March Madness. Wager money or other prizes, like a car wash, home-cooked meals, movie theater gift cards, etc. Whoever wins at the end of the tournament at the end of the party wins the pot.
Get Team-Related Party Favors and Gear
As the party draws closer, get team-related party favors and gear, like t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, or pins, to hand out to your guests. Since you don’t know for sure which teams will be playing until closer to the actual dates of the games, you might want to wait to purchase anything with team names on it. At the start of the party, you can hand out everyone’s gear and encourage them to wear it.
Plan a Halftime Game
Have people team up based on the team gear and party favors they chose at the start of the party. Get a mini basketball hoop and nerf balls or a head hoop and see which team can score the most baskets in 60 seconds. If no kids are present, turn it into a drinking game, like beer pong. Of course, if you have an actual basketball hoop in your yard you can use, the game might be even more challenging!
Hire a Catering Company
If you want to just relax and enjoy the party with your friends and family, hire a catering company to take care of the food. You can still plan the rest of the party yourself, or with the help of your family, roommates, or friends. You can even choose the menu you want from your caterer! Depending on whether you’re having an afternoon or evening party, you can choose between lighter fare like appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and sides; or more substantial menus like a buffet dinner with pasta, carved ham and turkey, BBQ ribs, and hot wings. Just let your catering company take care of set up, serving, and clean up so you can enjoy the event!
Ready to Start Planning Your March Madness Party? Call Us at Tucson Creative Catering
If you’re ready to start planning your 2023 March Madness party, call us today at Tucson Creative Catering! Our spots are filling up fast, so get in touch as soon as you can, and we’ll discuss our catering menus, availability, and full-service catering options – including party rentals and event planning. We have the experience, vision, and resources necessary to take your event to the next level and make sure everyone has a memorable time. Just call us today at (520) 690-0146 or fill out our online contact form to get started.