Hosting a Super Bowl party in 2026 will cost slightly more than last year, but remains relatively affordable as food prices rise more slowly than wages, according to a new report from the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.
The report estimates it will cost about $140 to feed and provide drinks for 10 people on game day, up from $138 last year — a 1.6% increase. That rise is below the most recent Consumer Price Index increase for food consumed at home, which stands at 2.4%, the report said.
Rising wages are also helping offset higher grocery bills. Average hourly earnings increased 3.8% over the past year to $31.99, giving hosts more flexibility when planning game-day menus, the report found.
Chicken wings were identified as one of the best values for Super Bowl parties this year. Retail prices for fresh wings fell 2.8% from a year earlier, averaging $3.47 per pound, according to market data cited in the report. The decline is attributed to increased U.S. poultry production and lower feed costs.
Other popular proteins were more expensive. Shrimp prices rose 8.1% to an average of $9.10 per pound, reflecting tighter global supplies as imports returned to more typical levels. Beef remained the most expensive option, averaging $10.08 per pound amid continued supply constraints, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
Vegetables, a staple of party platters, also saw moderate price increases. Cherry tomatoes rose about 2%, celery increased 2.6%, and broccoli and cauliflower climbed roughly 4%. Analysts attributed the increases to tighter supplies following last year’s unusually strong harvests, which had driven prices lower.
Prices for dips such as salsa and onion-flavored spreads rose between 1.5% and 1.7%, largely due to higher labor costs in food manufacturing. Wages now represent the largest share of total food costs, according to USDA data referenced in the report.
Some snack items helped keep overall party costs in check. Potato chip prices were flat compared with last year, while frozen pizza prices declined 0.6%. Tortilla chips fell 0.7% following a record U.S. corn crop, and avocado prices dropped 2.4% due to strong supplies from Mexico.
Beer prices rose 1.3% and wine prices increased 0.5%, both below the overall rate of food inflation, the report said.
Overall, the institute said consumers who plan ahead and focus on lower-cost staples can still host a Super Bowl gathering without significant financial strain, despite lingering inflation pressures in the grocery aisle.
