America Could Scarf Down 1.45 Billion Wings This Super Bowl Sunday, According to the National Chicken Council

We’ll say it: Sauce-slathered chicken wings are a non-negotiable for Super Bowl Sunday. Whether you take them coated with honey barbeque or a tangy Buffalo sauce, it seems like we just can’t get enough of the snack on any given game day. 

In fact, U.S. consumers are expected to devour up to 1.47 billion chicken wings this Sunday, according to a new report by the National Chicken Council. That marks a 1.5% increase — roughly 20 million more wings — compared to last year’s game, when hungry viewers enjoyed around 1.42 billion during the 2024 showdown between the Chiefs and 49ers.

The data only examines retail sales, as senior vice president of communications Tom Super explains, so there’s likely even more happening beyond the grocery aisle. Still, that’s no small number: As the National Chicken Council breaks down, that number shakes out to every person in the United States scarfing down around four wings apiece (although, we could certainly eat more). Chicken wing sales also stayed strong throughout the playoffs, increasing by 12% for the four weeks ending January 19 when compared to the prior period. 

Super tells Food & Wine that this year’s increase stands out, as the non-profit trade organization usually predicts a 2% annual rise in chicken production. Last year’s projections were flat, but he attributes this year’s modest 1.5% growth to decreased chicken production nationwide — while noting that consumption still increased year-over-year. That’s not too surprising if you’ve kept up with the news: The poultry industry is navigating supply disruptions and surging costs amidst a serious outbreak of the H5N1 virus, or avian flu.

Larger environmental factors also play a role. As the National Chicken Council shares with Food & Wine, January’s devastating wildfires in Los Angeles disrupted retail sales for one week during the playoffs, leading to a brief 2.2% market decrease versus a year ago. 

The southern California city is still one of the largest markets for chicken wings among the playoff teams’ hometowns, following Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Above all, Baltimore certainly pulled its weight: The home of the Ravens proved the top market for chicken wings this season.

Need a refresher on how these crispy deep-fried appetizers became so ingrained in our Super Bowl culture? Here’s a history lesson for you: Buffalo wings, an innately American creation, can be traced back to their titular western New York city. Exact origin stories differ (as with most legendary recipes), but we can confidently say they were born at a family-owned restaurant and bar in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s. We’ve been serving them up with celery and blue cheese crumbles ever since. 

Bottom line: If wings are your favorite gameday appetizer, you’re certainly in good company.