The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and whether you’re rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles, or simply enjoying the commercials and halftime show, adding a Super Bowl squares game to your party can bring extra excitement to the big day. This guide will explain how to set up and play a Super Bowl squares game, along with tips on using a spreadsheet to make managing the game easier.
What Is a Super Bowl Squares Game?
Super Bowl squares, also known as "box pools," is a fun and easy game of chance that requires minimal preparation and guarantees engagement throughout all four quarters of the game. It works by filling a 10x10 grid with 100 squares, each representing a potential score combination for the game. Participants buy squares, and the winners are determined by the last digit of each team’s score at the end of each quarter and the final score.
Setting Up Your Super Bowl Squares Game
1. Create the Grid
The first step is creating the 10x10 grid. You can do this on paper or, better yet, use a spreadsheet for ease of organization. Here’s how it works:
Label the rows from 0 to 9 across the top (representing the last digit of the Philadelphia Eagles’ score).
Label the columns from 0 to 9 along the side (representing the last digit of the Kansas City Chiefs’ score).
Each square in the grid represents a unique combination of the teams’ scores. For example, the square at row 3, column 7 corresponds to an Eagles score ending in 3 and a Chiefs score ending in 7.
I've already taken care of this step and made it as easy as possible to play. First, choose which of my spreadsheet templates you want to use:
- 2025 Super Bowl Squares - 54 Ways to Play
Released in 2021, this is the more "classic" and straightforward way to play. When you first open the sheet, it has a nice clean look with only one sheet visible. You select the options for how you want to play, click Generate Squares, and it sets up the sheet exactly for the version you want to play. The way it works is all the scoring systems are already built into the sheet. If you go to the Squares or the Manager sheet you will find many hidden rows or columns. The Generate Squares macro simply hides or unhides the data based on the user’s selections.
- Super Bowl LVIII Squares Unlimited
54 ways to play apparently wasn't enough as I still received numerous requests for customizations and more features. This lead to the creation of a new approach to the template: Super Bowl Squares Unlimited. The main difference in how it works is there are no pre-built scoring systems. Instead, they are built on the fly by macros based on the user's input; therefore there are an infinite number of ways to play.
2. Sell the Squares
Invite your friends, family, or colleagues to buy squares in the grid. You can set a price per square (e.g., $1, $5, or $10), which will determine the total prize pool. Participants can claim squares by writing their names in the chosen boxes if using paper, or you can type their names into the cells of your spreadsheet.
3. Assign Numbers Randomly
To keep the game fair, wait until all the squares are filled before assigning the numbers 0-9 to the rows and columns. This ensures no one can strategically pick a square based on the scores. Since my spreadsheets are macro-enabled, just click the "generate random numbers" button. Easy!
Playing the Game
Once the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles kicks off, here’s how the game unfolds:
Check the Scores Each Quarter At the end of each quarter (first quarter, halftime, third quarter, and final score), take note of the last digit of each team’s score. For example, if the Eagles are leading 17-14, the numbers to look at are 7 (Eagles) and 4 (Chiefs).
Find the Winning Square Locate the square where the row for the Eagles’ last digit intersects with the column for the Chiefs’ last digit. The name in that square is the winner for that quarter.
Distribute the Prizes Divide the prize pool among the winners. A common distribution is 20% of the pot for the first three quarters and 40% for the final score. However, you can adjust the percentages as you see fit.
Why Use a Super Bowl Squares Spreadsheet?
Using a spreadsheet offers several advantages over a paper grid:
Organization: A spreadsheet keeps all the names, squares, and scores neat and tidy, reducing the chance of errors.
Accessibility: If your participants are remote, you can share the spreadsheet via Google Sheets or email so everyone can follow along.
Customization: You can add features like automatic highlighting of winning squares or formulas to calculate payouts.
Eco-Friendly: Going digital eliminates the need for printing paper grids..
Tips for Hosting a Successful Super Bowl Squares Game
Keep It Fun: Make sure everyone knows it’s a game of chance and keep the focus on having fun.
Communicate Clearly: Share the rules and payout structure before the game starts.
Engage Everyone: Include participants who might not be big football fans—this game is simple enough for anyone to enjoy.
Start Playing 2025 Super Bowl Squares Now!
Playing a Super Bowl squares game is a fantastic way to enhance your watch party for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles showdown. Using a spreadsheet simplifies the setup and management, allowing you to focus on the game, the snacks, and the company. So, gather your friends, set up your grid, and get ready to cheer for every touchdown, field goal, and winning square!
