In need of some unique game day food ideas to impress your buddies or family during this summer’s international soccer games? We’ve got you covered.
We’ve been serving up barbeques since the 70s, so we know your focus should be on ease of preparation, shareability, and crowd-pleasing classics.
People will be hooked on the game, so this isn’t a time for a fancy sit-down set-up. You need food that they can pick up and eat as they wish.
The best way to do that, in our totally unbiased Texan opinion, is a truly authentic Texan barbeque! So, let’s get into it:
Soccer Game Day Food Ideas
These soccer game day food ideas will work for any game, but we’ve tried to pick those that can be themed to the US, Mexico, and England’s games:
Brisket Sliders - For the USMNT!
Brisket sliders are a crowd favourite and a perfect choice for those USA games.
Firstly, because who doesn’t like brisket? That flavor-rich, tender beef always hits, especially when prepared the true Texan way (smoked low and slow over mesquite wood).
Secondly, when put into bite-sized slider sandwiches, your guests can keep coming back for more throughout the game.
Don’t forget the sauces and toppings, like our Original Barbeque Sauce, plus slaw or pickles!
Jalapeño Sausages - For Mexico!
For a bit of variety, go with some smoky spice via Jalapeño sausages. These could be especially thoughtful when Mexico is playing.
You can serve sausages with some sides like Mac and Cheese, or let your guests prepare them in wraps with sauces and dips available for customisation.
Throw in some Jalapeño Cheese bread while you’re at it.
Baked Potatoes - For England!
England is one of the tournament favorites and will be a must-watch for any soccer fans, regardless of their nationality.
Our game-day food idea for the Three Lions features baked potatoes as a filling side, paired with a main like brisket or barbeque ribs! They’re a staple of English food. But of course, we recommend a Texas twist.
So, instead of their preferred Heinz beans thrown on top, we recommend a baked potato stuffed with your own favorite toppings. For example, Austin-style baked beans. These are a sweet-savory Texan barbeque classic. Delicious!
Serve that alongside sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sausage, and you’ve got yourself a hearty game day feast! We recommend putting all of these ingredients in separate bowls, so your guests can customize their baked potatoes to taste.
Game Day Appetizers & Finger Foods to Round Out the Spread
Right, now that we’ve got your main plates sorted, let’s add some game-day appetizers.
These will keep your guests full and happy for all 90 minutes. And, even longer if it goes to extra time and PKs.
Jalapeno Cheese Bread
Jalapeño Cheese Bread is a Goode Co. Shop classic. It’s a golden pull-apart loaf with diced jalapeños for a spicy kick and a sharp cheddar tang. Mmm.
It’s absolutely perfect for soaking up those leftover juices from brisket, Austin baked beans, mac and cheese, and whatever else you’re serving up.
Your guests can indulge in it all night long.
Mozzarella sticks
Mozzarella sticks are always a crowd-pleaser. They’re surprisingly easy to make at home, too. Throw in some dips like chili or Goode Co. Shop’s barbeque sauce, and you’ve got a winning combo.
Roasted Salted Pecans
For bite-sized savory snacks, consider our roasted salted pecan nuts. They’ll pair well with any drink and keep your guests going before the food is served.
Mac and Cheese
More cheese! Do we really need to convince you to go with Mac and Cheese? 99% of people love it, and it contrasts beautifully with hearty meats like brisket, ribs, and sausages.
Plus, with all that attention on the game, you’ll be able to keep topping up your portions without anyone noticing.
Nachos
Many people expect nachos. Or even demand it. But really, it’s about the toppings. Consider chopped brisket, queso Chihuahua, pickled jalapeños, a drizzle of BBQ sauce, and shredded cheese. Yes please.
4-Way Dip
One dip isn’t enough. Two dips aren’t enough. Three dips..
Four dips it is. You can choose any dips, but many people love jalapeño popper dips, pizza dips, sour cream, refried beans, and melted cheese dips.
Potato Salad
For a refreshing tang, go with potato salad. That summer classic cuts through the meat fats, while filling you up with soft, flavorsome potatoes.
Deserts for Soccer Game Day BBQs
Pecan Pie
If you want an authentically Texan game-day dessert, go with a Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie.
Our legendary dessert features a 9-inch handmade buttery crust topped with a gooey pecan heaven. We even offer custom wooden box designs with a special message to remember the game.
Pralines
Another classic Southern sweet treat is our Texas Pralines. Made with caramelized sugar, butter, cream, and large Texas pecans, they’re a chewy-crisp treat in a smaller size.
Soccer Ball Cookies
Or you could get creative and try some soccer-ball-shaped cookies.
The kids, in particular, will love them. Some decorative icing should do the trick!
Pro Tips for Planning a Soccer Watch Party: Food Ideas
We’re not strangers to organizing parties and cookouts at Goode Co. Shop. We’ve been at it since the 1970s. So, here’s our essential pro tips to ensure it all goes smoothly:
How Much Food Do You Need Per Person?
Five kids are very different from five adults. So consider the appetites of the guests you’ll be inviting. If you’re like us, you’ll want to go all out to avoid disappointment because we tend to host true foodies!
Plus, we find that appetites tend to increase when it comes to stress eating during those tense games.
So, take some time to think about how much food each person needs because that might be more than the packaging indicates. Too much is always better than not enough!
Order Ahead to Avoid Disappointment
You don’t want to stress on game day about whether the brisket is arriving on time. So, we suggest submitting your order at least 1 week before the game to avoid disappointment.
With Goode Co. Shop, you can order up to one year in advance (just use the ship later option in your cart at checkout).
Buy Our Heat and Serve Barbeque Meats
Just because it's your soccer game watch party, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the fun too!
You can save yourself a large amount of the trouble of food prep on game day by opting for our vacuum-sealed mesquite-smoked meats.
From brisket and BBQ ribs to turkey and sausages, our meats are cooked low and slow for up to 15 hours, then vacuum-sealed to preserve the fresh flavor.
Your task is just to heat and serve. The meat is all pre-rubbed with our homemade rubs, so you’ll enjoy a professional flavor all from your own home.
Order Game Day BBQ from Goode Co. Shop
We welcome you to order game day food delivery to your door from Goode Co. Shop today! Our meats, sauces, and pantry goods are proudly and authentically Texan, based on recipes and techniques forged from over nearly 50 years of service to the Houston community.
The earliest we can ship your order is typically the next business day! You can learn more about our shipping here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Game Day Food Ideas
What is the easiest food to serve at a watch party?
The easiest food to serve at a soccer watch party is dishes that people can help themselves to. We recommend brisket sliders and sides, plus plenty of dips.
Can you order BBQ online for a watch party?
Yes! With Goode Co. Shop, we offer bulk BBQ orders directly to your door to make your watch party super easy.
What sides go with Texas BBQ for game day?
Classic crowd pleasers and finger foods are the way to go. People will want food they know best, not strange surprises! We recommend mac and cheese, jalapeno cheese bread, mozzarella sticks, potato salad, and nachos.
What are the best crowd-pleasing BBQ dishes?
You can see our Goode Co. Shop's best sellers here.