With 124.9 million viewers, this year’s Super Bowl was the second most-watched NFL championship in history, reflecting the game’s role as one of the country’s largest shared cultural moments beyond the action on the field.
The event turns homes, bars and restaurants into communal viewing spaces, as watch parties have become a central part of how people experience the Super Bowl each year, drawing both devoted football fans and casual viewers.
This year’s matchup featured the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This earned the franchise its second NFL championship.
The 2025 Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs drew a record average audience of about 127.7 million U.S. viewers, the largest in the game’s history.
Chelsea Doran, a Seattle native, spent the Super Bowl with her family at a local bar called The Spot.
She said the energy surrounding the game provided a chance for people to unite after a big moment for the city.
“The Super Bowl lit Seattle up, so this was an opportunity for the city to come together,” Doran said. “We’re proud of our sports, and Seattle’s a city that is proud of itself.”
The National Retail Federation reported that 121.1 million U.S. adults planned to host or attend a party, while 18.2 million planned to watch the game at a bar or restaurant.
Those nationwide trends were reflected at The Spot, where Doran joined dozens of fans who chose to watch the Super Bowl in a public setting rather than at home.
During the halftime show, which featured headliner Bad Bunny along with appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, Doran said the performance carried cultural significance for many viewers.
Doran recalled admiring a woman dancing with her friends as they sang along to Bad Bunny’s music.
“She was beaming and looked so happy,” she said. “It must mean a lot to Puerto Ricans and people of different backgrounds to be represented in the halftime show.”
The Super Bowl’s cultural footprint extended to college campuses, where students hosted their own watch parties to mark the occasion.
Alayna Kellogg, a junior at Howard University, hosted a Super Bowl party at her apartment in College Park, Maryland. Kellogg, who is from Detroit, brought members of the Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program together for fellowship and fun on game day.
She said food plays an important role in any sports-related gathering, with a variety of shareable dishes that her guests look forward to each year.
“For a Super Bowl party, I think finger foods are a must,” Kellogg said. “I made buffalo chicken dip, nachos and loaded potato skins, because they’re easy to share, filling and perfect for people to snack on throughout the game.”
She said the watch party was about more than just the game, emphasizing how the gathering strengthened friendships and created meaningful moments beyond football.
“This event brought us closer, because it gave everyone a chance to relax, eat together and just enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “Being in a casual setting made it easier to connect, have conversations and create memories outside of our usual routines.”
Gabby Ervin, a junior from Columbus, Ohio, shared a similar perspective after hosting a watch party with her roommates.
“I feel like the Super Bowl has so much more to it than just football — sometimes to the point where football feels like the least important aspect,” Ervin said. “Some tune in for the game, some for the commercials, some for the halftime performance. It’s definitely a cultural event.”
Ervin described the game as an “unofficial holiday,” saying the festivities surrounding the game offer something for everyone to experience.
“I think people crave community, and big events like this are a way to have that,” she said. “It’s an American tradition, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
As millions across the country hosted watch parties or met in public spaces, the Super Bowl continued to blend sports, entertainment and tradition, creating memories that for many mattered just as much as the final score.
Morgan Knight covers culture, lifestyles and trends for HUNewsService.com.
