How to Throw a Tournament Party

Get the party started right with enough comfortable seating for everyone. If living room seating is limited, bring in more accent chairs. Or splurge on a new sectional that will take you long past tournament season. If space is a concern, poufs, ottomans or a stack of throw pillows can quickly become the best seats in the house.

What's a party without snacks and lots of finger foods?
Don't forget to stock up on plenty of serving bowls and platters. Game night can get lively, so make sure everything is unbreakable. Bonus points if they can be recycled or reused once the game is over. Besides the usual pretzels, chips and dips, here's a few quick and easy ideas that will keep guests happily munching all season long.

• Wrap mini sausages in refrigerated dough and bake. Serve with mustard for dipping.
• Sprinkle mixed nuts with taco seasoning and pop in the oven for a spicy treat.
• Marinate mozzarella cubes in your favorite Italian dressing. Serve chilled and surround with plenty of toothpicks.

Set the mood for your tournament party with as much team spirit as possible. Get plenty of signage, banners, balloons, streamers and tablecloths in your team's colors. Serve appetizers and other food on team-inspired plates. Fill the room with wall art, rugs featuring team logos or mascots and colorful team flags.

Your guests expect to see a great spread almost as much as a great game. Throw burgers and ribs on the grill or fry hot wings and make chilli. Whatever you do, don't spend all your time cooking. Grilled food is always a go-to, so try making most of the grilled food during halftime or a break in the game. Or invest in time-saving small appliances like pizza cookers, an electric fryer and slow cookers that let you host and mingle without missing out on the fun.

No party is complete without the right mix of ice cold drinks. Depending on the size of your guest list, set up multiple drink stations. Choose a cooler or ice bucket or two with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Keep the party rolling with a bar cart stocked with the basics. Park drink stations next to the entertainment area and near the food.

Tip: Make things simple by designating one chest cooler for water only.

All good things must come to an end, but that doesn't mean you have to dread the big clean-up.

• Stock up on paper products, cleaning supplies and other essentials.
• Put colorful buckets labeled "trash" throughout the room.
• Place rolls of paper towels and stacks of moist towelettes within easy reach of guests.
• Do a mid-game trash pickup.
• Restock paper plates and tableware, and check the beverages at half-time.
• Ask for volunteers to stay 10 minutes after the game to help pack take-home plates and put food away.