How inflation will affect your Super Bowl party this year
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Super Bowl party prices will be a mixed bag this year, with some staples still notably costlier compared to pre-pandemic times but others less so.
Why it matters: Food is one of the most tangible ways consumers experience inflation, which appears stubbornly persistent — especially for everyday needs like groceries.
Driving the news: Prices for meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, veggies, alcohol and soft drinks were all up in December 2024 relative to December 2019, per consumer price index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- But only the meat/poultry/fish/eggs category was up significantly, 4.2%.
- No doubt this is a reflection of the ongoing bird flu outbreak: Fewer chickens and eggs, higher prices.
Yes, but: Prices for these Super Bowl staples relative to December 2019 aren't nearly as high as they were in 2021 or 2022.
Caveat: This data predates President Trump's tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, which could result in higher prices for avocados, some beer and other Super Bowl party favorites.
- That said, Trump on Monday delayed his planned tariffs against Mexico and Canada for a month.
The big picture: Overall Super Bowl spending will be up nearly 26% this year compared to 2019, the National Retail Federation predicts, hitting a record high of $18.6 billion and driven largely by food and drinks.
The bottom line: Maybe cut back on the wings and deviled eggs if you're still planning your menu for Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles — a rematch of 2023's contest, which ended in a 38–35 Chiefs victory.
