What Super Bowl Squares Is and How the Game Works
Super Bowl squares, also called football squares, is a grid-based betting game popular for Super Bowl watch parties, office pools, and family gatherings. The game requires no football knowledge to win, which is a big part of its appeal: the outcome is entirely determined by the last digit of each team's score at specific points in the game, not by predicting the winner.
The grid is a 10 by 10 square, creating 100 individual squares. Participants claim squares by writing their name in them, usually paying a set entry fee per square. Once every square is claimed, numbers 0 through 9 are randomly drawn and written across the top (one team's score digits) and down the left side (the other team's score digits). The intersecting square at each quarter's final digit combination wins that quarter's prize.
- 100 squares total: 10 columns and 10 rows in a grid
- Each square is claimed by a participant, often for a set entry fee
- Numbers 0-9 are randomly assigned to rows and columns after all squares are sold
- A winner is determined at the end of each quarter (and sometimes halftime)
- The winning square is the one where the last digit of each team's score intersects
- No sports knowledge required to participate
How to Set Up Super Bowl Squares Step by Step
Running a Super Bowl squares pool is straightforward with the right setup. The most important step is waiting until all 100 squares are claimed before randomly assigning the numbers. Assigning numbers before squares are sold would allow early participants to strategically pick favorable squares, which defeats the random nature of the game.
For the superbowl square template 2026 or any year, the process is identical: the teams change, but the grid and rules stay the same. Use the printable grid layout above, or recreate it in Google Sheets if you want a digital version you can fill in and share before printing the final version. A printed paper grid at the party works best so participants can visually see the grid filling up.
- Print or draw a 10x10 grid and label it with the two Super Bowl teams at the top and left side
- Announce the entry fee per square and the prize structure for each quarter before selling begins
- Have each participant write their name in the squares they want; collect payment as they sign
- Wait until all 100 squares are claimed before assigning numbers
- Draw numbers 0-9 randomly (from a hat or using a random number generator) and write them across the top
- Draw a second random set of 0-9 and write them down the left side
- At the end of each quarter, find the last digit of each team's score on the grid to identify the winning square
- Pay out the winner for each quarter and log the winner on the tracking sheet
How to Choose Your Prize Structure
The most common prize split for a Super Bowl squares pool is 25% per quarter, meaning each of the four quarters pays out equally. With a $1 per square pool (100 total = $100), each quarter winner takes home $25. With a $5 per square pool, each quarter is worth $125.
Some pools weight the payouts differently because the first quarter and third quarter scores are less watched than halftime and the final score. A popular alternative is 15% for Q1, 30% for halftime, 15% for Q3, and 40% for the final score. Whatever split you choose, announce it before squares are sold so everyone knows the terms upfront. Write the prize structure directly on the super bowl squares template so there is no confusion on game day.
- Equal split: 25% to each of the four quarters
- Weighted toward final score: 15% Q1, 30% halftime, 15% Q3, 40% final
- Bonus quarters: some pools award a small prize for each touchdown scored
- Reverse squares: award a prize for the last-place combination to keep everyone engaged
- Announce prize structure before selling squares so all participants know the terms
Most Common Winning Numbers in Super Bowl Squares
While the number assignment is random, not all score combinations appear with equal frequency in NFL games. Football scoring comes in increments of 3 (field goal), 6 (touchdown without extra point), 7 (touchdown with extra point), and 2 (safety). This means certain last-digit combinations appear far more often than others in the history of NFL scores.
The digits 0, 3, 7, and 4 are historically the most common last digits in NFL scores. The combinations 0-0, 7-0, 0-7, 3-0, 0-3, 7-3, and 3-7 have appeared most frequently in Super Bowls and regular-season games. Squares with digits like 2, 5, 8, or 9 on both axes tend to be the least likely to win, though any combination can win on any given game day, which is the whole point.
- Most common winning digits: 0, 3, 7, and 4
- Most common score combinations historically: 0-0, 7-0, 0-7, 3-0, 0-3, 7-3, 3-7
- Least common digits: 2, 5, 8, and 9 (because no standard scoring play lands on those without setup)
- Any square can win; historical patterns are interesting but do not change odds for a specific game
- The randomness of number assignment is what makes the game fair regardless of which square you claimed
Tips for Running a Super Bowl Squares Pool
The biggest organizational challenge is collecting entry fees before the game. People who claim squares but do not pay make the payout math complicated. Collect payment at the time of signing, or use a digital payment app and mark paid squares before the grid is finalized. If someone does not pay by your deadline, free up their squares for other participants.
For larger groups, a digital version of the super bowl square template in Google Sheets or a printed poster-size version works better than a standard letter-size printout. A larger physical grid posted on the wall during the party lets everyone see the game situation in real time and check their squares easily. Take a photo of the completed grid (with names and numbers assigned) and send it to all participants so no one disputes the setup after the fact.
- Collect payment at the time of square selection, not after the game
- Take a photo of the completed, numbered grid and share it with all participants
- Post the grid somewhere visible during the party so everyone can check their squares
- Set a deadline for square selection so you are not chasing people down on game day
- Announce winner names and scores publicly at the end of each quarter to keep energy up
- For large groups, use a poster-size printout or a shared Google Sheet projected on a screen
Copy-and-paste template
Download .docxSUPER BOWL SQUARES
Event: Super Bowl [YEAR]
Teams: [TEAM 1 (horizontal)] vs. [TEAM 2 (vertical)]
Entry Fee per Square: $[AMOUNT]
Total Pool: $[100 x ENTRY FEE]
PRIZE STRUCTURE
End of 1st Quarter: $[AMOUNT] (__ % of pool)
End of 2nd Quarter (Halftime): $[AMOUNT] (__ % of pool)
End of 3rd Quarter: $[AMOUNT] (__ % of pool)
Final Score: $[AMOUNT] (__ % of pool)
HOW TO PLAY
1. Each participant writes their name in one or more of the 100 squares below.
2. Once all 100 squares are filled, numbers 0-9 are drawn randomly and assigned to each column ([TEAM 1] score digits) and each row ([TEAM 2] score digits).
3. At the end of each quarter, find the last digit of [TEAM 1]'s score on the horizontal axis and the last digit of [TEAM 2]'s score on the vertical axis. The square where those two numbers meet is the winner for that quarter.
10 x 10 GRID
[Print this template and draw a 10-column x 10-row grid.]
Label the top: [TEAM 1] across the columns (numbers 0-9 assigned after all squares are filled)
Label the left side: [TEAM 2] down the rows (numbers 0-9 assigned after all squares are filled)
Each participant signs their name inside each square they claim.
WINNER LOG
Q1 Winner: Name _______________ Score: [TEAM 1] __ - [TEAM 2] __
Q2 / Halftime Winner: Name _______________ Score: [TEAM 1] __ - [TEAM 2] __
Q3 Winner: Name _______________ Score: [TEAM 1] __ - [TEAM 2] __
Final Winner: Name _______________ Score: [TEAM 1] __ - [TEAM 2] __
Organizer: [YOUR NAME] Contact: [PHONE / EMAIL]