How to Enjoy the Super Bowl when You're Not a Football Fan

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The Super Bowl, played between the top two NFL teams in the U.S., is held every February. Often it's the country's most-watched event of the year. If you’re not a big American football fan, however, you may find yourself dreading the day as it approaches. Fortunately there's a solution to this problem. By learning to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday in your own way, you can look forward to the game just as much as the biggest fan. Here are some ideas that might help.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Enjoying the Food and Friends

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  1. Just because you don’t like football doesn’t mean you should keep yourself from the festivities! If your friends or family are throwing a Super Bowl party, you can just go and talk to the other guests and eat some great snacks.
    • If you don’t know anyone throwing a party, host one yourself! Invite a few friends, and ask each person to bring some easy-to-share food for a low-key party.
  2. Easy finger foods like chips and dip or cookies are the best dishes to take along to a Super Bowl party. You could even take the ingredients to the party and make your dish there. That will diminish the time you have to spend in front of the TV. Some great snack options include: [1]
    • Guacamole and a bag of tortilla chips.
    • A veggie platter with carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and dip.
    • Hummus with baked pita chips.
    • Football-shaped sugar cookies or cupcakes.
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  3. If you’re not interested in the game, don’t force yourself to crowd around the TV with the diehards--unless you’re eager to learn! There will be plenty of people you can talk to in the back by the food and drinks.
    • If there’s no one else near you for a second, you can still look occupied by simply eating what’s on your plate, or turning around for more food.
  4. There will probably be other people at the party who don't care about the game either, whether they’re not interested in the sport or simply aren’t fans of the teams playing. They’re likely to hang out near the back or around the food. You can chat with them about the game, the food, the commercials or anything that’s going on in their life!
    • For example, you can say something general like, “This game is crazy so far.” Depending on their answer, you’ll be able to tell if they’re not a big football fan or just don’t care about the teams.
    • If you know they’re not into football, make casual conversation about whatever you want. You could say something simple like, “How was your week?” or mention something about the party, like “These quesadillas are so good. Have you tried them?”
  5. Try to pick a seat near the edge of the viewing area. This will make it easier to escape if you get bored. If you sit near the middle of the gathering, you might get caught up in conversation or feel stuck between others who are talking to each other through you. [2]
    • If you do end up sitting in a good viewing spot, try to pay attention to the game. It could annoy other guests if you have a prime seat for watching the game but you’re on your phone the whole time!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Entertaining Yourself with Commercials and Games

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  1. Write the names of the key players on both teams on small slips of paper, one player per slip. Mix them around in a bowl. Ask everyone to contribute a dollar (or more) to play, and pass the bowl around, asking each person to pick one slip of paper. The person who draws the MVP of the game (announced during the post-game celebration) wins the pot! [3]
    • Look up the key players online before the game, or ask a friend who is familiar with the teams.
    • It’s best to draw names before the game starts, but since your guests are picking at random, it’s okay to get a late start, too.
  2. Ask one guest to start by putting a dollar (or any amount you want) into an empty cup and calling out a football play, such as “field goal.” If the very next play is not a field goal, they pass the cup to the next person, who contributes the same amount of money and again passes it on if a field goal isn’t attempted on the next play. The person holding the cup when the named play actually occurs gets the money! [4]
    • The winner of that round gets to start the game again by choosing the next play, such as “touchdown,” “interception,” or “first down,” and putting in the first dollar.
    • Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with many football terms. Everyone else will be watching the game closely and will definitely let you know when the named play happens!
    • If you don’t want to play with money, you can use candy, chips, or cookies.
  3. For a lot of people Super Bowl ads are the best part of the day. If you just can’t get into the game, relax and chat with other guests until the commercials come on. There are lots of time outs and breaks during football games, so you’ll never have to wait long.
  4. Look online for a “Super Bowl ad bingo” card and print out one for each of the guests before the game. When a commercial comes on, watch closely and mark off any square that names the type of commercial that's played. Get a small prize, like a cupcake, or have each guest contribute a dollar for the winner. [5]
    • You can also make your own bingo boards. Watch some Super Bowl ads from the last few years to get an idea of some popular themes. For example, there could be squares for “puppies,” “car crashes,” or “a character crying.”
    • Make sure that the squares are arranged differently on each board so that everyone doesn’t hit bingo at the same time!
  5. The Super Bowl halftime show is a huge performance, usually starring pop and rock stars that everyone has heard of and can enjoy. Grab a snack as the first half winds down and get a good seat around the TV. Other guests often use this time for a bathroom break, so there should be plenty of room for you!
    • Keep watching in case guest stars pay a surprise visit on stage (which sometimes happens!)
  6. If you’re looking for something to do before the game, and if your host can get Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TruTV, or TBS, take a look at the Puppy Bowl. It features adorable puppies rolling around on a mini football field, as well as a “kitty halftime show” and a human “referee” to maintain a little order. The show is cute and funny, and a great way to perk up your mood before the game. [6]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Learning about Football

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  1. Look up basic football rules if you’re unfamiliar with the game. If you don’t know the rules of football but want to follow some of what’s going on, look up a few basic points online. You won’t be an expert right away, but at least you’ll be able to understand some of the plays. This can also keep you entertained and focused on the game. Challenge yourself to understand the major rules before the game's over. [7]
    • For example, you’ll want to know that the most important player on a team is the quarterback, who throws passes down the field or hands the ball off to the running back.
    • The aim of the game is to get the ball into the endzone to score a touchdown, earning 6 points. A team can also kick the ball between two upright posts, scoring a field goal and getting three points.
  2. If you don’t mind owning up to the fact that you don’t know much about football, you can just ask a friend or another guest to explain a few key points to you. Ask someone who’s not too invested in the game and who won’t mind taking their eyes off the screen for a few minutes to explain different points to you.
    • Don’t be nervous or embarrassed to ask questions. Your friend will probably be happy to share their knowledge and help you get enthusiastic about the game.
  3. If you don’t want to learn the complicated rules but would rather not stick out at a party full of football fans, just pick a team to cheer for. Look around the party to see who’s supporting that team, and copy their reactions to different plays.
    • Avoid cheering too hard, or people might ask you questions about the game that you won’t know how to answer. Keep your reactions relaxed and slightly indifferent, like you’re just a casual fan.
    • For example, if your team scores a touchdown, just smile and clap, but don't pretend more enthusiasm than you really feel.
    • If someone does ask you why you’re pulling for a certain team, just say, “I don’t care much either way, but I just wanted to cheer for someone.”
  4. Listen to the announcers, and notice the players they talk about the most. They'll be the players on the screen most, too. You can also use your phone or computer to quickly look up the most important players on either team. You can focus on these players when they’re on the field, giving you something to concentrate on when the rest of the field gets confusing. [8]
    • You can also mention these players in conversation to show your working knowledge of the game. Keep your comments vague, like “Johnson is all over the field today,” or “No one can catch Simmons!”
    • The key offensive players will probably be the quarterbacks from both teams, the running backs, and a wide receiver or tight end.
    • From the defensive side, key players are often linebackers, cornerbacks, or safeties.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I hate everyone at the party?
    Community Answer
    Why would go to a party at which you don't like the people? Make an excuse--you're not feeling well or there's an emergency at home--and leave after thanking the host/hostess.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 26
  • Question
    What if there are no quesadillas?
    Community Answer
    Just talk about something else. That was just an example of a possible conversation starter.
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  • Question
    If I'm not a football fan, why wouldn't I just not care about the day and treat it like a normal day?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Many people do as you suggest, but some people -- though they don't care about football -- want to be part of the festivities. This article was written for them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • If you don't want to watch the game at all, invite other friends who aren’t football fans to a non-Super Bowl party. If you aren’t a big football fan, chances are that some of your friends aren’t either. A few days before the game, tell them you’re hosting a party for people who don’t want to watch the Super Bowl, and invite them to bring over food or games to play. Getting together with friends will help you avoid feeling left out of Super Bowl celebrations, and you’ll have a better time than you would at a Super Bowl party!
        Thanks
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      • If you really dislike football, preoccupy yourself with other things during the first three quarters of the game. Have someone call you in for the fourth quarter, and console yourself with the knowledge that you'll be wasting only about 30 or 45 minutes of your life. Maybe you'll see some good commercials.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/big-game/big-game-appetizers/super-bowl-snacks
      2. ↑ https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/super-bowl-2017-guide-124034
      3. ↑ https://www.punchbowl.com/p/super-bowl-party-games
      4. ↑ https://www.punchbowl.com/p/super-bowl-party-games
      5. ↑ https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/super-bowl-2017-guide-124034
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15SdPnof0FY
      7. ↑ https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/super-bowl-2017-guide-124034
      8. ↑ https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/super-bowl-2017-guide-124034

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The best way to enjoy the Super Bowl when you’re not a football fan is to munch on great food and chat with your friends. If you’re going to a Super Bowl party, hang out around the fringes to talk to other guests who aren’t interested in the game. To entertain yourself, tune in for the hilarious commercials and the spectacular halftime show. If you want to skip the game altogether, catch a movie in the empty theaters or go for a walk to get some fresh air. For games to play during the Super Bowl and ways to quickly learn about football, read on!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 67,606 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Eli Defries

        Feb 1, 2019

        "My dad and grandpa really like the Super Bowl, so I want to enjoy it with them too! This helped a lot."
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