Sports

Will bird flu fowl up your chicken wing dreams on Super Bowl Sunday?

Spending on game-time food, drinks, clothes and decor expected to hit a record $18.6 billion.
Wingstop chicken wings in New York on Jan. 15, 2022. The pandemic has led to the largest price spikes at fast-food restaurants in two decades. (Amy Lombard for The New York Times)
Wingstop chicken wings in New York on Jan. 15, 2022. The pandemic has led to the largest price spikes at fast-food restaurants in two decades. (Amy Lombard for The New York Times)
By Ashley Ahn
Feb 8, 2025

Folks have been clucking about the skyrocketing prices of eggs lately. Even Waffle House, the nation’s steady beacon when harrowing weather approaches, has had to scramble, adding a temporary egg surcharge after shortages caused by the bird flu.

But don’t get your feathers ruffled, football fans. Chicken wings will be normally priced for Super Bowl Sunday.

The National Chicken Council projects that Americans will consume 1.47 billion chicken wings Sunday, 20 million more than last year.

And the price of chicken wings has been close to the same level as February 2024, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. As of the first week of January 2025, wings were approximately $1.89 per pound, slightly below their five-year average.

“Matthew McConaughey was right: Football is for food,” NCC spokesperson Tom Super said. “Sure, there will be pizza, guacamole, chips and dips, but when it comes to the Super Bowl, chicken wings rule the roost.”

A record 203.4 million U.S. adults plan to tune in to the game, according to a survey of 8,020 adults conducted by National Retail Federation and Proper Insights & Analytics from Jan. 2 to Jan. 7.

Spending on food, drinks, clothes and decor for the Super Bowl is expected to reach a record $18.6 billion this year, $1.3 billion more than last year. That means each person is expected to spend around $92, up $6 from last year.

More than 80% of that spending will go toward food and beverages, according to the survey.

In preparation for the big day, here are some discounts on your favorite Super Bowl foods — and some savings for the day after.

Papa Johns

Buffalo Wild Wings

Wingstop

Outback Steakhouse

Applebee’s

Little Caesars

Chipotle

When something “extra” happens during the game, Chipotle will post a keyword and the number of codes that are available for the keyword on X or Instagram. Fans can then send a text message with the keyword to 888222 and potentially receive a code for a free entrée item.

Chipotle will give away up to 50,000 free entrée codes.

An “extra” event is when:

  1. The team on offense converts a fourth down play
  2. The team on offense kicks an extra point
  3. The team on offense scores a two-point conversion
  4. Any other event takes place during the game which Chipotle determines, in its sole discretion, constitutes an “extra” event.

On Monday, Chipotle Rewards members can also order a free small side, or entrée topping of guacamole or queso using the EXTRA25 code.

Starbucks

“With the Big Game on Sunday, Feb. 9, many Americans will spend the day going big – which may lead to a long Monday,” Starbucks said.

About the Author

Ashley Ahn is a reporter on the breaking news team for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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