GAME DAY GAME PLAN
Hosting a footy finals party? Here’ s the guide you need – one that includes space set-up, tech essentials and clean-up hacks – to come out a winner. BY KATEY KNIGHT
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o matter which footy code you support, there’ s no better time to host a watch party than during finals season. To ensure your event goes off without a hitch, you need to implement a game plan, from refreshment zones that minimise game disruption to stocking up on must-have staples that make clean-up a breeze.
Time to warm up
Before you rush to the shops in finals fever excitement, it’ s a good idea to get your guest list sorted so you know the size of your crowd.“ One way to go is to keep the group small, sticking to your good friends and family, the people who are going to have a ball regardless of how the game ends,” says Allison Barrett, owner of Sydney events company My Perfect Party( myperfectparty. com. au). If your guest list is on the larger side, there are other things to consider, like creating house rules to prevent disagreements.“ Keep in mind that those who are avid supporters will want to focus on the game,” Allison says.“ A good way to prevent any clashes with guests is to set some ground rules in advance.” This could involve encouraging people to adjourn to separate spaces for chatting during the game, so football lovers can spread out in the game zone and cheer to their heart’ s content.
Hungry fans
At the top of most hosts’ shopping lists are bite-size eats for grab-and-go ease set up at a dedicated food table to avoid disruption to game viewing.“ Go with heavy hitters like finger sandwiches, party pies and sausage rolls,” says Allison.“ And make sure you have enough oven space to warm up the items.”
Her suggestion for larger crowds?“ You may want to serve a buffet, with roast chicken, a leg of lamb and salads with bread rolls, even a few snags cooked on the barbecue.”
When it comes to drinks, asking guests to BYO and creating easy-access, selfserve drink zones ensures an effortless
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14 | SEP / OCT 2026 COSTCO CONNECTION