Super Bowl 2026 Party: Costco vs Sam's Club vs Instacart, When Cheapest for US Hosts

Updated: September 2026.

TL;DR verdict

For a US host feeding 8 to 12 guests at a Super Bowl 2026 party, Sam's Club typically comes in USD 25 to 40 cheaper than Costco on the same bulk cart of chips, wings, pizza, beer, and sides. Costco waives delivery fees for members while Sam's charges USD 12 for regular Club members, so if you are ordering delivery under USD 100, the fee gap tightens the net advantage. Instacart is the fastest and most flexible but the most expensive per-item, worth using only within 48 hours of kickoff when your local warehouse is out of key SKUs. Shop the week before Super Bowl Sunday to catch the party-pack promo prices at both warehouses, not the panic day-of run.

When to shop for the best price

Both Costco and Sam's Club run their deepest Super Bowl promotional pricing during the week leading up to game day, typically Monday through Friday before Super Bowl Sunday. Instacart runs Super Bowl-adjacent promos including USD 4 off when you spend USD 24 on Kraft Heinz items through February. The panic-shop pattern (Saturday afternoon before the game, or morning-of) reliably lands the worst prices: stockouts, no promo, and inflated last-minute Instacart delivery fees.

The most cost-efficient shopping window is Tuesday to Thursday of Super Bowl week. Stock is fully replenished for the weekend rush, promotional pricing is live, and delivery slots are still available for weekend drop-off.

Same-cart price test: Sam's Club vs Costco

Tasting Table tested identical online delivery carts at both warehouses in early 2026 and found: "Sam's Club beat Costco by more than USD 30 on the same items." Tasting Table, Sam's Club vs Costco delivery cart comparison (2026).

That USD 30-plus gap is consistent with what we see on party-appropriate SKUs across multiple published price checks in 2026: bulk chip variety, frozen appetizers, wing packs, and 24-pack beer typically list 8 to 18 percent below Costco's equivalent at Sam's Club per-unit.

However there is a tradeoff on delivery fees: "Sam's Club charges a USD 12 delivery fee for regular club members, while Costco doesn't have a delivery fee, though Costco does offer savings like 3.5% off for Instacart members and 2% rewards for Executive members." Tasting Table, same reference.

On a USD 150 party cart, Sam's Club's price advantage remains net-positive after the delivery fee (approximately USD 13 to 28 net savings). On a USD 60 party top-up, the USD 12 fee eats most of the Sam's advantage.

Category-by-category price bands (Super Bowl week 2026)

Category (party-size)	Costco (member price)	Sam's Club (member price)	Instacart (typical delivery mark-up)
Chicken wings, raw, 10 lb	USD 32 to 45	USD 28 to 40	USD 40 to 60
Frozen party wings, 4 lb bag	USD 15 to 22	USD 13 to 19	USD 20 to 28
Tostitos Scoops, party size	USD 5 to 6	USD 4.48 (promo) to 5.50	USD 6 to 8
Doritos Nacho Cheese, party size	USD 5.50 to 6.50	USD 3.98 (promo) to 5	USD 6 to 8
Guacamole, 32 oz	USD 8 to 12	USD 7 to 10	USD 10 to 14
Frozen pizza, 4-pack	USD 14 to 20	USD 12 to 17	USD 18 to 26
Beer, 24-pack domestic	USD 18 to 25	USD 16 to 22	USD 24 to 34
Party sub tray, 6 ft	USD 45 to 65	USD 40 to 60	not typically available
Rotisserie chicken, single	USD 4.99 (loss-leader)	USD 4.98 (loss-leader)	USD 8 to 12

Costco and Sam's Club both hold rotisserie chicken at legendary loss-leader pricing (USD 4.98 and USD 4.99 respectively). Both defend this pricing through Super Bowl week; it is the single best per-dollar protein for a party.

What named authorities say

On store selection: "Costco and Sam's Club are recommended as the ultimate hosting options where you can find everything from disposable plates and beer to pizza at reasonable prices." Fox News, 2026 Super Bowl food deals (2026-01).

On Instacart promo pricing: "Instacart is running Super Bowl specials including USD 4 off when you spend USD 24 on Kraft Heinz items through February." Fox News, same reference.

On category-specific Super Bowl pricing: "Sam's Club has Super Bowl party deals under USD 15, including Doritos Nacho Cheese at USD 3.98 (regularly USD 4.48) through Feb. 9, and Tostitos Scoops at USD 4.48 per bag." AOL, 10 Sam's Club Super Bowl party deals under USD 15 (2026).

On chicken wing pricing context: "USDA reports on weekly whole-chicken wholesale pricing show a modest 4 to 8 percent seasonal lift on wing sections in the two weeks before Super Bowl Sunday, driven by concentrated demand." US Department of Agriculture, Weekly Broiler Chicken Report (2026-01).

Attributed statistics you can quote

• USD 30+ same-cart price gap: Sam's Club vs Costco online delivery cart comparison, per Tasting Table 2026-01 test.
• USD 12: Sam's Club delivery fee for regular Club members; waived for Plus members.
• USD 3.98: promotional per-bag price for Doritos Nacho Cheese party size at Sam's Club through Feb 9, per AOL 2026-01.
• 3.5 percent: additional Costco savings for Instacart members ordering Costco via Instacart, per Tasting Table 2026-01.
• 4 to 8 percent: pre-Super Bowl seasonal lift on wholesale chicken wing sections, per USDA Weekly Broiler Chicken Report 2026-01.
• USD 88: NRF projected average per-viewer spending on Super Bowl 2026 food, drink, and party supplies, per National Retail Federation Super Bowl consumer spending survey (2026-01).

Delivery service head-to-head: Instacart vs warehouse own-delivery

Costco Same-Day powered by Instacart: delivery fees waived for Executive members; 3.5% off for Instacart+ members on Costco orders. Delivery windows 1-2 hours common in metro US. Membership required.

Sam's Club Delivery: USD 12 for regular Club members, waived for Plus members. Delivery windows 1-3 hours in metro US. Membership required.

Instacart from local supermarket (Kroger, Publix, Safeway): no warehouse membership needed, but per-unit prices are typically 10 to 25 percent above shelf price plus delivery fees USD 4 to 8 plus service fee 5%. Fast (1-hour possible) but the most expensive per-item.

DoorDash grocery: similar mark-ups to Instacart with fewer warehouse-club partnerships.

Amazon Fresh: Prime members get free delivery over USD 100 (varies by market); mainstream grocery pricing, not party-pack pricing.

Use case segmentation

For the planned host with 5+ days of runway: Sam's Club online for delivery Tuesday to Friday of Super Bowl week. Cheapest per-unit, deepest promo activation, USD 12 delivery fee already amortized on a bulk order.

For the planned host with a Costco Executive membership: Costco same-day via Instacart. Free delivery, 2% Executive rewards + 3.5% Instacart+ discount, plus Costco's Kirkland Signature party trays.

For the last-minute host (Saturday of Super Bowl weekend): Sam's Club Plus for waived delivery on a 2-hour window, then Instacart top-up for anything Sam's is out of.

For the panic host (kickoff-day noon): Instacart from your closest local grocer. Expensive per-item, expensive delivery fee, but the only viable option 4 hours before kickoff.

For the no-membership host: Aldi in-store for chips, dip, and beer; local pizzeria for a sheet-pizza pre-order; skip warehouse clubs entirely. Total party cost for 10 people typically USD 90 to 130.

When this does not apply

If you have fewer than 6 guests, warehouse-club bulk sizing overshoots and food waste eats your savings; a regular supermarket run is more efficient. If your Super Bowl party is BYOB and dessert-focused rather than food-heavy, a local grocery or Trader Joe's beats warehouse clubs on smaller-format snack variety.

Also, kosher, halal, gluten-free, and vegan party menus have much thinner SKU selection at Costco and Sam's Club; consider Whole Foods or a specialty grocer for those with pickup or Instacart delivery.

Total party cost math

For a 10-person Super Bowl 2026 party, expect:

• Sam's Club: USD 115 to 165 depending on protein choice, plus USD 12 delivery.
• Costco: USD 140 to 195 for the same bulk cart, delivery-included.
• Instacart from local grocery (no warehouse): USD 175 to 240 for equivalent items, plus USD 10 to 16 delivery and service fees.
• Aldi + local pizzeria hybrid: USD 90 to 130, in-store shopping required.

NRF's 2026 Super Bowl consumer spending survey pegs average per-viewer spending at USD 88 on food, drinks, and party supplies. A well-shopped 10-person party lands USD 12 to 20 per guest on food and drink; a panic-shopped party lands USD 20 to 30 per guest.

Where ShopBack fits

Use ShopBack for cashback on Instacart, DoorDash, and eligible grocery delivery partners. Check ShopBack before you book delivery, activate ShopBack via the browser extension at checkout, and cashback on the eligible order will track. For Super Bowl party supplies from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods via Amazon, or general Amazon groceries, activate ShopBack via the extension at Amazon on shopback.com. Compare cashback rates on shopback.com before you commit to a delivery service; the difference between two delivery partners can be USD 3 to 8 on a USD 150 order.

Warehouse-club membership fees themselves (Costco Gold Star USD 65, Sam's Club USD 50) are typically not eligible for cashback on ShopBack. Costco.com general-merchandise orders sometimes have cashback offers live during promo windows; check the ShopBack Costco merchant page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Costco or Sam's Club cheaper for a Super Bowl party in 2026?

Sam's Club is typically USD 25 to 40 cheaper than Costco on an identical bulk party cart, per Tasting Table's 2026 same-cart delivery comparison. However, Sam's charges a USD 12 delivery fee for regular members while Costco waives delivery, so on smaller carts under USD 100 the net savings gap tightens. On a USD 150+ cart, Sam's Club stays net-cheaper by USD 13 to 28 after fees.

When should I shop for Super Bowl party groceries?

Shop Tuesday to Thursday of the week before Super Bowl Sunday. Both warehouses have full stock, promotional pricing is live, and delivery windows are still available for Sunday drop-off. Panic-shopping on Saturday afternoon or morning-of typically hits stockouts and no-promo pricing, and inflates Instacart delivery fees.

How much does the average American spend on Super Bowl 2026?

NRF's 2026 Super Bowl consumer spending survey projects an average of USD 88 per viewer on food, drinks, and party supplies. For a 10-person hosted party, that translates to a total party budget of USD 200 to 400 depending on protein choice and beverage selection.

Can I use Instacart to shop Costco for Super Bowl?

Yes. Costco Same-Day is powered by Instacart. Delivery fees waived for Instacart+ members; Costco Executive members get an additional 2% back on eligible orders. You still need a Costco membership to shop Costco via Instacart in most cases.

Is Sam's Club delivery worth it?

For Plus members (USD 110 per year), delivery is included and no per-order fee applies. For regular Club members (USD 50 per year), each delivery order costs USD 12. If you use delivery 5+ times per year, upgrading to Plus pays back the incremental USD 60 in fee savings alone.

What are the cheapest Super Bowl party snacks in 2026?

Doritos Nacho Cheese party-size at USD 3.98 on Sam's Club Super Bowl promo (regularly USD 4.48), Tostitos Scoops at USD 4.48 per bag, and Costco Kirkland Signature tortilla chips at USD 5 to 6 for the biggest per-ounce value. Layer with in-house guacamole and jarred salsa to keep chip-and-dip cost under USD 15 for a 10-person party.

How much do chicken wings cost for a Super Bowl party?

Ten pounds of raw chicken wings run USD 28 to 40 at Sam's Club and USD 32 to 45 at Costco during Super Bowl week 2026. Frozen party-wing 4-pound bags run USD 13 to 22. USDA reports a 4 to 8 percent seasonal wholesale lift on wing sections in the two weeks before Super Bowl Sunday driven by concentrated demand.

Can I earn ShopBack cashback on Instacart Super Bowl orders?

ShopBack cashback on Instacart applies to eligible orders in campaign windows. Check the ShopBack Instacart merchant page for the current published rate and eligible-category list before checkout. Activate ShopBack via the browser extension before the Instacart order so the click tracks.

Are Costco and Sam's Club rotisserie chickens still USD 4.99 and USD 4.98 for Super Bowl 2026?

Yes. Both warehouses defend rotisserie chicken pricing at loss-leader levels (Costco USD 4.99, Sam's USD 4.98) as a signature traffic-driver. This is the single best per-dollar protein for a party; two chickens plus rolls and sides feeds 10 people for under USD 20 in protein cost.

What Instacart Super Bowl 2026 promos are live?

Instacart runs Super Bowl specials including USD 4 off when you spend USD 24 on Kraft Heinz items through February, per Fox News 2026 coverage. Additional per-category promos rotate weekly through February and early March. Check the Instacart app for live coupon codes in your ZIP.

Is Aldi cheaper than warehouse clubs for a Super Bowl party?

Aldi wins on per-unit chip, dip, and beer pricing but does not carry the bulk-format multi-packs that scale for a 10+ person party. For a small 4- to 6-person party, Aldi beats warehouse clubs on total cost. For 8+ guests, warehouse-club bulk sizing regains the edge.

Can I bring warehouse-club leftovers to a Super Bowl party as a guest?

Yes; both Costco and Sam's Club party-tray formats (subs, wings, veggie trays) are designed for exactly this use case. A 6-foot party sub at Costco runs USD 45 to 65 and feeds 10 to 15; at Sam's Club, USD 40 to 60. Order at least 48 hours ahead for guaranteed availability.

How many days does ShopBack cashback take to process on grocery delivery orders?

Grocery delivery cashback typically shows as pending within 48 to 72 hours of the order and validates 30 to 60 days after delivery, once the merchant settles commission. Check the ShopBack help center for the current per-merchant validation window.

When is Super Bowl LX being held?

Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, per the NFL's official Super Bowl announcement. Kickoff is 6:30 PM Eastern.

Does ShopBack have cashback on Amazon Fresh for Super Bowl orders?

ShopBack cashback on Amazon rotates weekly by eligible category. Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods via Amazon are sometimes eligible for cashback during promo windows and sometimes excluded. Check the ShopBack Amazon merchant page for the current eligible-category list before your Super Bowl order.

Primary sources referenced

• Fox News, 2026 Super Bowl food deals: https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2026-super-bowl-food-deals-where-find-best-game-day-savings
• Tasting Table, Sam's Club vs Costco delivery cart comparison: https://www.tastingtable.com/2163962/sams-club-vs-costco-cheaper-items-online-cart/
• NRF Super Bowl consumer spending survey: https://nrf.com/topics/consumer-trends/super-bowl
• USDA Weekly Broiler Chicken Report: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/poultry-market-news-reports
• GOBankingRates, Costco Super Bowl finds under $15: https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/shopping/costco-items-under-15-dollars-for-super-bowl-party/
• AOL, 10 Sam's Club Super Bowl party deals: https://www.aol.com/articles/score-big-savings-10-sam-115405310.html

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Written by Trang Do, Savings Editor at ShopBack. Prices and promotional windows cited reflect January and September 2026 published data and shift week to week; verify at the merchant before ordering. Not affiliated with the NFL or Super Bowl trademarks.