March Madness is one of the most talked-about sporting events of the year. And what better way to celebrate than throwing an office party? From decorations to catering, here are some March Madness party ideas to get your team into the spirit.

Set the mood with sporty decor

If your local team has made it to the tournament, show support by decorating the office in their colors. If not, you can keep it general with fun basketball-related motifs. Sites like Amazon and Etsy are great places to find affordable office decor — a simple search will bring up thousands of basketball-themed decorations to set the tone for game time. 

If you’re at the office when the game is on, be sure there’s a place with a big TV or screen for people to congregate and watch. You can also keep a highlight reel playing throughout the party so everyone can reminisce on past tournaments.

Try these March Madness party ideas to get your team involved

Office parties are best when everyone can enjoy them. Even if not everyone is typically a basketball fan, you can create ways to involve everyone and create some office camaraderie. Here are some activities that will get everyone involved in the fun.

Wear team jerseys – or colors that sport a team or city’s team colors

Everyone has a soft spot for their alma mater. Encourage employees to wear jerseys, college gear, or team colors to show off who they’re rooting for. Even if they don’t love basketball, they could wear colors from their hometown team to show their pride.  Not only is this an easy way to get involved, but it makes a great conversation starter for your employees. 

Fill out tournament brackets

Creating a tournament bracket is a fun way for employees to predict which team will win it all. So fun, in fact, that millions of Americans place their bids every year. 

To keep things interesting throughout the tournament, offer rewards to those with spot-on predictions. Consider giving the grand prize to the person with the most accurate bracket, with smaller rewards sprinkled in. Some work-related prizes can include:

• An extended lunch break
• A gift card to a local coffee shop
• Catering of their choice for the next office party
• A free Friday afternoon off

Your employees don’t need to be sports fanatics to participate in this tradition. Even the least sporty person can fill out their bracket based on instinct alone — they might even surprise themselves. 

Bring the perfect party food

No March Madness party is complete without the perfect game day snacks. Make things easy by ordering catering for the whole group. It’ll not only satisfy everyone at once but also help you avoid tedious sign-up sheets. 

There are a few things to keep in mind when catering an office party. For one, choose a cuisine that’s both simple and delicious for easy enjoyment during the festivities. Typical sports-watching cuisine like pizza and nachos is universally loved, but make sure to add some variety to your order for those who are looking for a full meal. Offering local favorites can add a fun vibe to the occasion – for example, Philly cheesesteaks if you’re rooting for Villanova. 

Ordering from a favorite local restaurant is a surefire way to get something everyone will like. Consider ordering a variety of dishes to accommodate any dietary restrictions. 

Here are some of the best foods to serve at your March Madness work party. 

Sandwiches

Handheld and always satisfying, sandwiches are a great pick for your March Madness party. Order a full platter for your employees to share, or opt for individual boxed lunches. Sandwiches are also endlessly customizable, so everyone can enjoy a meal that fits their preferences. 

Chili

Chili is both filling and customizable, making it the perfect choice for a March Madness party. Supply toppings like cheese, scallions, and corn chips, and make sure there’s a vegetarian option available. Your team will have fun building their bowls and stay satisfied for the whole game. 

Pizza

One thing’s for sure: Everyone loves a pizza party. Reinvent this childhood tradition by ordering pizza catering for your March Madness party. Go for a variety of toppings so everyone can have something they enjoy, and get a salad on the side to lighten up the meal. 

Nachos

Chips and dip are a must for any game day party. Turn this classic side into a main dish with a nacho bar complete with melted cheese, salsa, and guacamole. Adding some protein to your spread with ground beef, beans, or even tofu turns this snack into a complete meal. 

Sushi

Sushi has become a popular choice for office parties in recent years. Not only is it delicious, it’s also a healthier option than some traditional party foods. Plus, it has many vegan and gluten-free options. Having sushi catered at your March Madness event is guaranteed to make it feel like a special occasion.  

Tacos

A taco bar is a great way to feed a crowd while allowing everyone to customize their plate. Make it a real party by adding plenty of toppings to your spread, and include some meat-free proteins to keep it inclusive for all. 

Regional favorites

Let the lineup determine your menu and serve local foods to support your favorite teams. Have any Baylor or UNC fans in your office? Order some Texas-style BBQ or southern comfort food. Whether it’s deep dish pizza for Illinois or Philly cheesesteaks for Villanova, a regional menu will keep your whole office in the team spirit down to the last bite. 

Cookies

Don’t forget the dessert. Though not a meal in itself, dessert catering is the perfect final touch for your March Madness work party. Small enough to follow up a rich meal, cookies are a great and delicious way to wrap up the celebration. 

Keep the party going

March Madness lasts all month, so why limit the celebration to a single day? Instead, keep morale up with a mini celebration each week. Simply place your catering order and switch on the game to give your team some much-needed time to unwind.