by Jackie Navarrete
TL;DR
Football season is back, and that means big opportunities for small businesses. From bars and restaurants to gas stations and retail shops, fan spending spikes every weekend thanks to tailgates, watch parties, and community gatherings. Businesses that run game-day specials, bundle products, and keep lines moving with modern POS systems can turn the season into steady revenue growth. The right tools—like Clover POS, loyalty apps, online ordering, and EBT acceptance—help avoid missed sales and keep customers coming back. With Velocity Merchant Services, your business is equipped to score all season long.
The Kickoff: Football Season and Small Business Energy
The sound of the first whistle in September doesn’t just signal touchdowns and tailgates—it signals opportunity. For millions of Americans, football is more than a game; it’s a cultural event. According to Statista, over 200 million people in the U.S. watched NFL games in 2023, and college football stadiums collectively pack in tens of millions more each year.
What does that mean for you, the small business owner? It means your customers are ready to gather, celebrate, and spend. Football season drives consumer behavior in ways that benefit restaurants, bars, retail shops, gas stations, convenience stores, and even salons.
The truth is, when football season is on, so is business.
Game Day Sales: The Spike in Customer Spending
Football season creates spending spikes that few other events match:
- Bars & Restaurants: Game-day crowds can double or triple revenue. Wings, pizza, beer, and cocktails become the holy trinity of football Sundays.
- Retail & Grocery Stores: Jerseys, snacks, beer runs, and last-minute chips and dip turn weekends into high-volume sales periods.
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores: Fans traveling to games or stocking up before kickoff often stop to fill up tanks and carts.
- Salons & Apparel Shops: Tailgate fashion is real—jersey sales, haircuts before big weekends, and even nail art with team colors surge.
According to the National Retail Federation, fans spend an average of $81 per person on Super Bowl Sunday alone, which means the season-long spending potential is massive.
Why Football Season = More Traffic for Local Businesses
Think about the habits of fans:
- Tailgating Culture – People buy portable grills, cases of beer, coolers, ice, and snacks.
- Watch Parties at Home – Fans grab takeout or delivery, boosting restaurant and pizzeria orders.
- Community Gatherings – Sports bars fill up with fans eager to share the highs and lows of every play.
- Impulse Purchases – Jerseys, banners, and even last-minute gift cards get swiped before big games.
Football season doesn’t just bring loyal fans—it brings loyal customers. And loyalty equals revenue when paired with smart business tools.
How to Capitalize on Football Season as a Small Business
If you’re a convenience store, gas station, market, or local grocer, this change is a big deal. Here’s how it could impact your operations:
1. Create Game-Day Specials
Offer discounts or themed promotions. Examples:
- Half-off wings during the first quarter.
- Loyalty points for every touchdown scored by the home team.
- Gas stations offering a free coffee with every fuel-up on Sundays.
2. Accept Every Payment—Fast
Nothing kills the mood like a checkout line holding up fans on their way to kickoff. A modern POS system keeps the flow moving. Speed matters, especially when fans are in a rush before the game.
3. Promote Football-Themed Bundles
Retailers and restaurants can bundle items:
- “Tailgate Party Pack” (chips, soda, beer, and dips).
- “Game Day Dinner for Four” (pizza, wings, dessert).
4. Embrace Digital Marketing
Social media is buzzing with hashtags every weekend (#NFLKickoff, #GameDay, #Tailgate). A few clever Instagram posts or short TikTok videos showing your specials can draw crowds in real-time.
5. Offer Gift Cards and Loyalty Programs
Fans love to return weekly during the season. A loyalty program ensures they pick your business over competitors. Gift cards are an easy upsell for fans looking for last-minute gifts.
The Technology Advantage: Why POS Matters During Football Season
During peak times—halftime rushes, Sunday afternoon beer runs, Saturday morning tailgate prep—your payment system can make or break the customer experience.
- Fast Transactions: Contactless payments keep lines moving.
- Inventory Tracking: Know when you’re running low on wings or beer before fans get hangry.
- Mobile Options: Clover Flex allows servers to take payments right at the table or in line.
- Online Ordering: Clover Online Ordering ensures fans can grab food on the way home without calling in.
When your business is flooded with fans, you can’t afford downtime or long waits.
Real-World Example: Football Season + Local Bars
Imagine a small-town bar with TVs in every corner. During summer, business is steady. But when football season kicks off, weekends transform:
- Friday nights = high school football post-game crowds.
- Saturdays = college football fans.
- Sundays = NFL daylong marathons.
With the right POS setup, this bar can run happy hour promotions automatically, track inventory in real time, and even allow fans to open tabs from their phones. That kind of convenience turns occasional visitors into season-long regulars.
Don’t Fumble: Avoiding Missed Opportunities
Without the right preparation, football season can overwhelm small businesses:
- Slow checkouts = frustrated customers leaving.
- Out-of-stock essentials = lost revenue.
- No digital presence = missed marketing momentum.
That’s why smart tech isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential.
Connecting Football Season to Your Bottom Line
Football isn’t just a sport. It’s a season-long sales cycle. Every week brings a new opportunity to connect with customers. If you position your business to take advantage of game-day spending habits, you’ll see growth not just during football season but well beyond it.
Where Velocity Merchant Services Comes In
At Velocity Merchant Services (VMS), we believe in small business. Just like a great football team needs the right playbook, your business needs the right tools to win.
Here’s how VMS helps you turn football season into winning season:
- Clover POS Systems – From Clover Flex to Clover Duo, we’ll set you up with fast, reliable payment solutions.
- Cash Discount Program – Keep more of your revenue while offering fans affordable prices. Learn more about our cash discount program.
- EBT Payment Acceptance – Serving grocery stores, gas stations, and markets that cater to fans stocking up. Find out how to accept EBT payments.
- Gift Cards & Loyalty Apps – Keep fans coming back week after week. Explore Clover’s loyalty program options.
- Online Ordering – Make takeout as easy as a field goal kick. Learn how Clover online ordering can boost sales.
With over 28 years of experience, VMS knows what it takes to support small businesses during the busiest seasons.
Final Whistle: Time to Score Big
Football season brings excitement, community, and—most importantly—customers. Whether you run a restaurant, retail shop, or convenience store, the season creates a unique window to grow your revenue.
With the right technology and strategies, you can avoid dropped passes and instead run up the scoreboard. Partnering with Velocity Merchant Services ensures your business has the POS systems, payment solutions, and support to thrive—not just during football season, but all year long.
Football season small business opportunities are here. Are you ready to take the field?
