Costumes & Accessories (21) / Party Supplies (17)

Sports Party

Table of contents

Introduction

In terms of a themed party, you can’t get any better than a sports party. It is perhaps one of the most enjoyable events anyone can hope to organize as it usually brings out their true colors. And to help you organize your sports party, we’ve put our heads together to come up with some pretty amazing tips, if we do say so ourselves.

 

Now organizing a sports party can be a bit challenging seeing as there are quite a number of variations on the theme. But it can also provide an amazing opportunity for you and your guests to have the time of your life. As such we can recommend any of the following sports parties:

 

  • All-Time Greats

Having a party on this variation means that all your guests will have to come dressed as some of the biggest sport stars of all time. Think of names such as Michael Jordan, Ben Johnson, Sebastian Coe, Babe Ruth, Pelé and Muhammad Ali. Should you choose to use this as your party theme, be sure to adjust the details below accordingly.

  • Worst of the Worst

As opposed to those sports heroes that have managed to pull of the impossible during matches and events, this party theme is specifically pointed to those sporting individuals who’ve failed to perform at crucial moments by missing that single, most important shot. Having this type of party will enable your guests to have a laugh as all of them will have something to tell.

  • Grecian Olympics

It is commonly that this is where most sporting activities or the idea of sports competitions originated from. You and your guests will be able to dress up as Greek heroes of old and be able to regal each other with impossible tales.

 

Essentially it is totally up to you to decide on a theme for your party. And as soon as you have one (should you not be using any of the above), have a look below for some ideas to turn your party into an event to be remembered for years to come.

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Sports Party Invitations

As the central element to any party are the guests, you’ll need to ensure that your party has plenty of them. And as such, you’ll find ideas for some striking invitations below. Be sure to include the following information in your invitation to supply your guess with all that they need to know:

  • Party Name: Make sure this is creative and appealing. Here’s an idea: “Zues’ Olympian Hero Feast” or “Coach Mike’s Historic Baseball Bash”
  • Salutation
  • Date & Time
  • Venue/Location
  • Dress Code
  • Contact Details
  • Additional information…

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Sports Design

This invitation is the easiest to make of all since it encompasses your standard paper-based invitation. All you’ll need to create this invitation is a computer loaded with the appropriate software and a printer. Should you not have a printer, simply go down to your local printing firm once you have finished your design.

 

To start off, you’ll need to keep the final theme of your party in mind (as described in the Introduction above) while you look for suitable images. In many instances collages of the faces of past sporting heroes have been quite successful. Or, if you prefer a more general sporting reference, simply make use of the appropriate clipart.

 

Once you’ve finished your design, remember to include those details listed above. And when all’s said and done, simply print your design on the appropriate paper and deliver it to your potential guests.

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Medal

All sporting heroes have at least one thing in common: medals and trophies. For this party invitation you’ll need to get your hands on a couple of blank medals – one for each of your guests. Should your budget allow, get them the appropriate boxes too.

 

Once you have all that you need, go down to your local engravers and ask them to add the details of your party to the medal. In most cases the name of your guests will appear on the front while the invitation details will appear on the back. Once done, simply slip them into their respective boxes and deliver them to your guests.

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Discus

Similar to the “Medal” idea above, but just a little different, and bigger. This invitation will be especially apt for those who are thinking of having a Greek Olympian-themed party.

 

What you’ll need to do is to get your hands on a couple of discusses – either standard size or miniature. One per guest should be fine, but if you are a bit stretched in terms of money, you can easily get one per couple as well as one for every single guest.

 

Once you’ve got your discusses, simply go down to your local engravers and ask them to add the details of your party to the surface of the discuss. Remember to use the appropriate font to make it look entirely authentic.

Sports Party Dress Code

Decide upon a dress code based on the theme of your party. If you’re having an “All-time Greats” party, then your guests should dress in the uniform of those sports stars they are impersonating. For those who intend to be Greek Olympians for the evening, you’d best instruct your guests to get their hands on a couple of togas.

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Sports Party Decorations

Ensure your sports party will be remembered forever by adding some seriously sporty decorations. Here are a couple of items that will ensure your guests know they’ve arrived in sporting heaven, all available from your local sports retailer or on the internet:

  • Hang framed portraits of all the greatest sports stars on your wall.
  • Baseball bats, mitts, ice hockey sticks, basketball vests and more – add them all to your wall. Getting signed replicas will ensure that your guests pay extra special attention to them.
  • To add to the decorations on your wall, add a couple of banners and flags of all the greatest teams.
  • Poufs available as oversized baseballs, basketballs and footballs are plentiful. Place a couple of them around the room for your guests to enjoy.

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Sports Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

To announce your guests, you’ll be playing the role of the public broadcast announcer. Be sure to know who your guests are coming as so that you’ll be able to do the necessary research on that sporting legend. Here’s a example of a guest announcement:

 

“Ladies & Gentleman, please welcome Edison Arantes do Nascimento, a.k.a. Pelé! Playing soccer for most of his life, Pelé scored 1280 goals in 1363 games.”

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Sports Party Favors

Ensure your guests remember this very singular occasion by giving them a keepsake. As “sports” is a very broad and general topic, just pop down to your local sports retailer and get your hands on a suitable yet inexpensive gift. And, just in case you’re a bit stuck, here are a couple of our ideas:

  • Miniature Trophy: Miniature trophies are plentiful and exist in all shapes and sizes. Be sure to get one with a plaque on which you will have the engrave the name of a guest as well as the name of your party and the date. Do this for each of the guests that you know will be attending.
  • Olympic Medal: Very much like the idea above, except that you’ll be using medals instead of trophies.
  • Black & White Sports Photo: Create the ultimate sports party memory by having your guests pose for a classic sporting-team photo. Do this positioning your guests in three rows: medium length guests standing at the back on chairs, the tallest guests standing in front of them and the shortest guests seated on chairs or on the ground right in front. Remember to include yourself in the photo – best have a camera with a timer at the ready.

Once the picture has been taken, simply add a bit of age to it by giving it a faded brown/yellow ting (done with imaging software) and print it on glossy or matted paper.

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Sports Party Activities

This is the part of the party that all your guests have been looking forward to. Not only will they be able to move around and have fun, but they’ll also have a chance to act out the role of the person they are portraying, should they be coming as a sporting legend. Whatever you decide on, however, make sure that it is an activity that everyone will be able to take part in. Below you’ll find a couple of ideas suitable to the occasion.

Touch Football

A game that everyone can enjoy and also one that will test the athletic abilities of your guests. The game works exactly like normal football, except that instead of being tackled, the person with the ball only needs to be touched.

 

There are two variations on the game which relate to the touching: some people reckon that touching the person in possession of the ball with only one hand should suffice. Others, however, maintain that two hands are necessary. As this is your party, you decide!

 

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Basketball

Yep, basketball is yet another game that everyone can play. The good thing is that there are quite a number of different basketball games that will provide hours of fun.

 

As soon as you’ve decided on the game you’ll be playing, divide your guests into two teams. Give the one team something to wear that will make them known to each other as well as the members of the other team. In addition, you’ll want to appoint a referee if you yourself will be playing in one of the teams.

 

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Bowling

No bowling lane? No problem! You and your friends will be able to have the time of your lives simply with a basket ball or two and a couple of plastic bottles (of appropriate size) filled with sand.

 

If you really want to make a night out of it, take your friends to a bowling alley for a serious bowling competition.

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Sports Trivia

For those who enjoy the finer things in life, why not stay indoors and keep yourself from physical exertion by taking part in a game of sport trivia?

 

Should your sporting knowledge be a bit limited, simply pop down to your local toy or sport retailer and purchase a trivia set. Not only will this provide an opportunity for all those sporting fanatics to show their stuff, but provide a bit of a learning experience for everyone else too.

 

To make it fair though, pair the strong guests with those who don’t know quite as much.

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Food & Drink

Sports party food and drink options are endless. While some sports have their own foods associated with their respective stadiums, others simply indulge in whatever they can. Typical snacks include chips, candy, crackers, sandwiches, etc., while meals tend to be anything from hot dogs to tacos to pizzas. For all sporting purposes however, nothing will be able to beat a good barbecue.

 

As for drinks, well, that’s easy! Energy drinks, coffee, tee, beer, wine and spirits.

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