Super Bowl 2026

With Super Bowl LX happening on February 8, 2026, many employees prefer to keep their evenings free for family, rest, or personal plans. The good news? You can still harness the excitement of the event for employee engagement without requiring anyone to watch the game.

A short Lunch & Learn, afternoon break session, or themed potluck offers the perfect low-pressure way to build team spirit, encourage inclusion, and tie in professional development. These formats respect diverse interests while capitalizing on the cultural buzz around the Super Bowl.

Here are practical, inclusive ideas to make your workplace event a win for morale and culture.

Quick Planning Tips for Success

Keep it simple and optional. Schedule a 45–60 minute session during lunch or mid-afternoon on February 6 or 7 (Friday before the game) to avoid conflicting with weekend plans. Use polls to confirm interest and dietary needs. Budget modestly — focus on food, small prizes (gift cards, company swag), and minimal setup.

Promote inclusivity by emphasizing themes like teamwork, strategy, and resilience rather than football fandom.

Engaging Super Bowl-Themed Activities (No Game Required)

NFL-Inspired Leadership & Teamwork Workshop

Host a facilitated discussion or short interactive session on "Lessons from the Gridiron: Building Winning Teams." Draw parallels between NFL strategies — play-calling, adaptability, collaboration — and workplace dynamics. Use real Super Bowl examples (without spoilers) or general sports analogies. Add a quick group exercise where teams "design" a play for a common business challenge. This aligns perfectly with HR goals like performance management and leadership development.

Super Bowl Trivia or Prediction Challenge (Light & Fun)

Run a quick trivia round on Super Bowl history, iconic commercials, halftime shows, or fun facts (e.g., "What's the most-watched halftime performer?"). Use tools like Kahoot or printed sheets. For non-sports fans, include categories on ads, food, or pop culture. Offer a prediction contest for MVP, score, or best commercial — entries due before the session, with winners announced post-game via email. It's competitive yet low-stakes and inclusive.

Commercial Breakdown & Creativity Session

Super Bowl ads are legendary for their storytelling and innovation. Share a curated playlist of past standout commercials (5–10 minutes total). Then facilitate a group discussion: "What makes an ad memorable? How can we apply creative marketing or communication principles here?" This sparks innovation talks and appeals to marketing, sales, and creative teams — perfect for a Lunch & Learn.

Game-Day Snack Potluck with Themed Twists

Turn food into the star. Ask employees to bring "Super Bowl-inspired" dishes (wings, nachos, sliders) or get creative with team colors from the competing squads. Add a fun element like a "best dish" vote or cookie-decorating contest with football shapes. This fosters sharing and casual networking without needing to watch anything.

Team Spirit Photo Contest or Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Encourage "fan gear" (jerseys, hats) or creative office setups. Run a quick photo contest judged by likes or a panel. For hybrid teams, add a scavenger hunt for items like "something green like a football field" or "your favorite team color." It builds energy and photo ops for internal newsletters.

Measuring Impact & Follow-Up

Send a quick post-event survey: Did this boost your sense of connection? What worked best? Use insights to refine future events. These activities reinforce company culture, show appreciation, and subtly promote values like teamwork and creativity — all without mandating game-viewing.