Football fans are a confident bunch. They’ll happily predict the line-ups weeks in advance, explain how they think the match will play out, and tell anyone who’ll listen who they think will win the match or tournament.

But ask them how many pizzas they need to order for a match night crowd, and suddenly nobody wants to make the call.

That’s probably because football watch parties have a habit of growing. There’s the friend who suddenly appears at kick-off, the partner who gets added to the mix, and the late-comer who pops round at half-time expecting there to be enough food. And the neighbours always have a habit of dropping by unexpectedly. 

Before long, the order you thought would feed a few people is being stretched across the entire living room. 

The good news? A little pre-match planning can go a long way. 

To take some of the legwork out of group ordering, the Papa Johns team have put together some menu sample selections (tailored to group size) that will feed everyone and cater to all tastes. That way, you can focus on what matters: the football.

Every football fan knows this scenario. The match wasn’t supposed to be a big occasion. It’s not the final. Then a few more people said yes. One friend turns up with company. Suddenly, you’re feeding five to six people instead of three.

This is usually the point where variety becomes just as important as quantity. One person wants as much meat as possible. Another thinks every pizza should have some spice. Meanwhile, the veggie option quietly disappears because everyone wants a slice.

• If you’re wondering how many pizzas to order for a group of people, two or three large pizzas is generally a good starting point for a crowd this size, alongside a couple of sides.

• A combination of The Works, Chicken Fajita and Garden Party covers plenty of bases without turning the order into a committee meeting.

• Throw in Chicken Poppers and Garlic Cheese Sticks, and you’ll have enough variety to keep people happy long after kick-off.

Pro tip: If you want to keep things simple, the Papa Johns Big Match Bundle takes much of the decision-making out of group ordering. With two large pizzas, two sides and a drink for £35, it's an easy option for smaller football gatherings where everyone wants plenty of choice without overcomplicating the order.

This is where things are getting serious on and off the pitch. Every seat has been claimed. Spare chairs have appeared from other rooms, and somebody is balancing a drink on a surface that wasn’t designed for it.

If you’re feeding eight or more people, stop thinking about individual meals and start thinking about building a proper spread.

• Four or five large pizzas are usually a good starting point, especially when you’re adding sides into the mix.

• For larger groups, we’d mix dependable favourites like Double Pepperoni and The Works with bigger flavour choices such as All The Meats or American Hot. Add a veggie option like Garden Party, and you’ve got something for everyone.

Predicting the score is difficult enough, so predicting which pizza disappears first is almost impossible.

Most people spend plenty of time thinking about the pizzas and sides, but desserts can be a surprisingly good addition to a match-night order.

After all, football nights don't always end when the referee blows the whistle. Whether you're celebrating a win, recovering from a last-minute equaliser, or staying up for the next game, something sweet is never a bad thing to have on the table and help round off the evening nicely.

Get the order in before kick-off

Every football group needs an organiser. Someone to collect the orders, to coordinate splitting the cost, and to try to work out if “what everyone else is having” is an actual answer…

That’s exactly why we created group ordering.

Instead of one person trying to keep track of every pizza, side, and last-minute change, everyone can add their own items directly. It makes it much easier to build an order that works for different tastes, appetites, and preferences.

Which means less chasing, less confusion, and more time to enjoy the football.

The real secret to match-night food

Getting the food right for a game is nearly as important as the game itself.

Nobody wants to spend kick-off in the kitchen. Nobody wants to pause a heated debate about a penalty decision because the doorbell goes. And nobody wants to be the person explaining why they only ordered two pizzas for ten people.

Get enough pizzas on the table before kick off, add a few sides for sharing, and the rest tends to take care of itself.

Whoever you support, and whatever your favourite topping, Papa Johns is here to make sure you’re full at full time.