Burgers, chicken wings, and hot dogs are considered the ‘good luck’ game day foods – while deviled eggs and garlic bread are deemed bad omens.<br /><br />A poll of 2,000 sports fans found 44% have food-focused superstitions when it comes to a big game, with 85% of those only ever eating or serving certain dishes on game day.<br /><br />Pizza, popcorn, and chips are also considered to bring positive energy, but mozzarella sticks, salsa and queso dip seem to have the opposite effect.<br /><br />The study, commissioned by brioche brand St Pierre and conducted by OnePoll, found that when it comes to wider superstitions, 79% will carry out strict rituals ahead of a game to help improve for the chances of a good result.<br /><br />Of these, 34% must sit on the same part of the sofa for any game when watching at home, while 40% will wear a ‘lucky outfit’.<br /> <br />And to avoid cursing their favorite team, 32% will refuse to watch a match with specific people they deem ‘unlucky’.<br /><br />“It seems people take sport and their superstitions very seriously – so much so that almost three-quarters of fans believe the final outcome of the game could depend on it,” a spokesperson for St Pierre said.<br /><br />“We are big believers that food is more than a meal on your plate – it helps make memories, bring people together – and – judging by the results of this research, it helps sports teams win titles!”<br /><br />More than seven in 10 (71%) of those who are religious with their rituals have gone as far as refusing to watch the game until they have been performed.<br /><br />What’s more, 74% believe the outcome of a previous sporting event was determined by whether they took part in their pre-event ritual, or not.<br /><br />Of the 58% who label themselves superstitious when watching their favorite team play, half are this way because of their parents, while 43% developed it themselves.<br /><br />As 38% will eat a specific type of food as part of their own sporting ritual, 32% of those who have ever hosted a Super Bowl party say serving the correct food was their highest priority.<br /><br />While 69% agree the snacks are almost as important as the event itself.<br /><br />Making sure the game was displayed properly and having a good mix of friends round was also on the list of must-haves for a successful gathering.<br /><br />It also emerged that almost half - 48% - admit they have attended a Super Bowl party for the food and drink only – while having no particular interest in the game itself.<br /><br />A further 37% prefer to socialize rather than watch the teams play, and exactly three in 10 only take an interest in it because of the famed halftime show.<br /><br />Kayleigh Swift, US Brand Manager for St Pierre, added, “With Super Bowl just round the corner, it’s been great to get an insight into what people think about the build-up and the social gatherings which take place all over the country.” <br /><br />TOP 20 ‘GOOD LUCK’ GAME DAY FOODS<br />1. Pizza<br />2. Hot dogs<br />3. Burgers<br />4. Chips<br />5. Popcorn<br />6. Chicken Wings<br />7. Ice cream<br />8. Chicken sliders<br />9. Cupcakes<br />10. Cookies<br />11. Tacos<br />12. Potato skins<br />13. Assorted cheeses with crackers and fruits<br />14. Nachos<br />15. Salsa and queso dip<br />16. Chicken tenders<br />17. Trail mix with nuts, pretzels, and dried fruit<br />18. Mozzarella sticks<br />19. Chili<br />20. Vegetable platter<br /><br />TOP 20 ‘BAD LUCK’ GAME DAY FOODS<br />1. Deviled eggs<br />2. Garlic bread<br />3. Salsa and queso dip<br />4. Ice cream<br />5. Chicken Wings<br />6. Mozzarella sticks<br />7. Mini burgers with various toppings<br />8. Trail mix with nuts, pretzels, and dried fruit<br />9. Pretzels<br />10. Pasties<br />11. Pulled pork sliders<br />12. Jalapeño poppers<br />13. Chicken tenders<br />14. Chicken sliders<br />15. Tacos<br />16. Popcorn<br />17. Vegetable platter<br />18. Hot dogs<br />19. Assorted cheeses with crackers and fruits<br />20. Potato skins
