Overview
- Wells Fargo’s Agri‑Food Institute pegs this year’s food and drink for 10 at roughly $140, about 1.6% higher than 2025, or around $14 per person.
- Item shifts are mixed: fresh chicken wings are down about 2.7%–3%, avocados and tortilla chips are slightly cheaper, and frozen pizza is marginally lower, while shrimp is up roughly 8% and several veggie‑tray staples rose 2%–4%.
- Finance Buzz estimates a higher 2026 total of about $167 for 10, up 7.2% year over year, and reports larger jumps for wings and veggie trays based on BLS, USDA and retailer circulars.
- The differing totals stem from distinct menus, price sources and whether national promotions are captured, against a backdrop of CPI data showing meat, poultry, fish and eggs up 3.9% year over year.
- Retailers are leaning into game‑week promotions—Kroger, Target and Walmart are advertising discounts—while consumer guides urge potlucks, store brands, bulk buys, planning with coupons and budget recipes to cut costs.