The Best Snack Stadiums for Football Season (and the Super Bowl)

The biggest of Big Games is nearly upon us, and that means it is once again time to assemble a miniature football stadium out of snacks — a pastime that, in my opinion, is at least equally as enjoyable as actually watching football. Whereas attempting to build a gingerbread house never fails to bring me to tears, constructing a snack stadium is more akin to therapeutic macaroni art whose upside and end goal is the eating of delicious, well-organized snacks. The basic idea is simple: Create an arena out of different little containers of Game Day’s primary food groups — Buffalo wings, fried things, sliders, chips, and dip —and then sit back and enjoy the show.

Last year, when I was in the middle of developing some tailgating recipes, I literally stumbled upon a Virginia Tech-branded football field cutting board in a curbside junk pile —a treasure! And rather than simply enjoying my winnings, I took it as a sign from the universe that I needed — nay, was destined — to acquire more football-specific servingware. That revelation inspired me to Google “inflatable snack stadium” (honestly not out of place in my search history), which led me to Sunny Anderson’s brilliant, sadly bygone Infladium.

Debuting in 2017, the Infladium was a vision of sports-themed snack organization. The stadium-shaped inflatable included a dozen food containers festooned around a cardboard playing field and represented the gold standard of inflatable snack stadium technology.

The product description says the Infladium would make my “Super Bowl gathering the talk of the town,” but it was discontinued in 2021, so what could I do? Fortunately, an idea that’s that good can’t be discontinued, and various products have stepped up to fill in the gap, so this year, I’ll be treating myself to one of these Infladium-inspired serving coliseums instead.

A Trio of Snack Stadiums

This three-pack of Snack Stadiums has a lot going for it. Made with treated cardboard so that they’re a breeze to assemble but can handle dips and sauces, they’re small enough to be coffee-table-friendly. Rather than necessitating a guacamole playing field, there’s an illustration of a playing field to which you can add the dips of your choice. If convenience is your guiding principle, you’ll love that each snack stadium is meant to be thrown away after one use (and you get a pack of three, so you can go big and triple up or save a couple for next season). (Bonus idea: Replace the generic “FOOTBALL” images on the cardboard jumbotrons with a picture of you and your partner kissing for a very cute DIY Kiss Cam.)

Looking to accommodate a bigger group of people to yell at the television with? This Gatherfun snack stadium is nearly 25 inches long, but also has a disposable design and nine snack compartments, making it a real touchdown for a party of eight or more.

Gatherfun Football Party Supplies Kit

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This generously sized snack stadium has nine compartments — why not pack a different crunchy delight into each one? It truly takes a tailgate party to the next level.

A Football Field Inflatable Cooler

The Infladium walked so that the TrueZoo Inflatable Football Field — basically a kiddie pool for snacks — could run, and run it will, 20 yards for a touchdown into my Amazon cart. What I love about this one is that you can add ice to keep your creamy dips and hard seltzers chilled for all one million hours of the game, and at 52” long, you can cram a lot of both in here. Season-long football fans (and anyone who avoids single use plastics) will appreciate the reusability of this centerpiece.

TrueZoo Football Field Inflatable Cooler

Prices taken at time of publishing.

At 52” long, this ginormous, inflatable football-field tray makes a festive home for a huge spread of party food, but can also serve as a cooler if you load it with ice. Guaranteed to be a highlight of your football season gatherings every year!

A More Demure Football Tray

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full pro NFL stadium, this serving tray has more of a Friday Night Lights vibe. Plus, it’s reusable, so you can enjoy it from one season to the next, and it would be a great choice for bringing game day snacks on the go.

Vesici Football Serving Tray and Bowl Set

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Looking for more of a family-heirloom type vibe from your sports-themed serveware? This tray and bowl set looks like a field and a couple of footballs, made of durable wood and dishwasher-safe ceramic for use Super Bowl party after Super Bowl party.

I once got a fortune in a fortune cookie that read, “Life is like football. The minute you stop going for goals, the game is over.” I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly how football works, but what I do know is that my goal is to host an unforgettable Super Bowl soirée with the perfect balance of snacks assembled in stadium form, and if I can do that, I’ve already won.