Yahoo Sports How to host a better fantasy football draft party
Of course, we all want to win our fantasy football leagues. That goes without saying. But those who have league domination as their only goal are missing out of a big part of the experience.
Miller Lite understands that fantasy football is more than just wins and loses, waiver adds and lineup decisions; it's also an annual opportunity to reconnect with friends, get together for a game and a beer, and yes, maybe talk a little trash along the way. And that means one of the biggest dates on the fantasy calendar – Draft Day – can also be one of the best days of the season, if done right.
Although many fantasy football drafts occur online, there really is no substitute for drafting live with your fellow managers and friends. We teamed up with Miller Lite to put together a guide to help you get the most out of your fantasy football draft party this year.
Who to invite
Whether it’s your league’s first year or your 15th, draft day is the perfect excuse to get your leaguemates together for a few hours of quality time. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with co-workers or lifelong friends; the best fantasy leagues have between 10-14 managers who are willing to commit to their teams all season long and to being present for the draft — whether that’s online or in-person. After all, no one likes playing with auto-drafters and absentee managers.
Getting together on draft day isn’t just fun. It also helps create stronger bonds within the league that can have lasting effects throughout the season, as the seeds of trade talk (and trash talk) are often sown at the draft table. One surefire way to encourage better draft day participation? Throwing a stellar draft party that includes plenty of great snacks — and Miller Lite, naturally.
When to draft
Most leagues will want to minimize the impact of preseason injuries by selecting a draft date that’s close to the first regular season game, which this year is on Thursday, September 5. Labour Day weekend is typically the best option for a draft party, but the weekend prior is a good alternative if league members have other plans for the unofficial final weekend of summer.
Finding a suitable start time is also important. No one wants to draft at 8 a.m., but drafting too late in the day creates its own set of problems, as some managers may run out of steam before they can make their final pick. Mid-afternoon on a weekend is ideal, as it creates an opportunity to have a meal and a couple cold Miller Lites together before and/or after the draft, helping make draft day feel even more celebratory and turning your draft party into the can’t-miss event of the season.
Where to host your draft
Leagues that have the time (and budget) can opt for a destination draft, whether that means a weekend at the cottage or, if you really want to go all out, a hotel boardroom in a major city. The second option is to find a local bar or restaurant to act as your draft HQ. This removes the pressure of someone having to host but is more expensive than option three, which is to have a league member host the draft at their house. Don’t sell this option short, as it eliminates time and space constraints.
No matter where the draft is held, the location should be comfortable, spacious — ensuring you have enough room to spread out, especially if you’re using draft cheat sheets — and have enough power outlets and reliable Wi-Fi for those who wish to use a laptop. One more draft location non-negotiable? Make sure you’ve got plenty of Miller Lite available for thirsty drafters. Not everyone in your league is necessarily going to be able to snag a top RB1 this year, but at least you can ensure there’s more than enough cold beer for everyone to enjoy while drafting.
Pro tip: Have a leaguemate who can’t make it in person? Set up a screen for them with a good view of the action so they can feel like they’re in the room with you, even though they’re not.
What to serve
For some managers, this is the most important part: forget who we’re going to draft — what are we going to eat and drink?
Resist the temptation to just ask everyone to “bring something” — unless you want to end up with a dozen bags of chips and not much else. The better plan is to task one league member to take charge of the food, and another to get the drinks.
Want to really spice things up? How about last year’s first-place finisher gets to pick the menu, and last place has to provide?
Or, maybe you’ve got a friend who considers themselves a foodie and wants a chance to show off their chops. However you handle it, split the cost, take dietary restrictions into consideration, and pair your menu with a fridge or cooler full of Miller Lite to ensure a roomful of happy drafters. After all, your league may disagree on plenty of draft picks along the way, but it’s hard to disagree with a great-tasting Miller Lite.
How to up your game
Here are a few quick tips to help you raise your draft party game:
Use a draft board. Whether you go the DIY route or purchase a premade one online, a draft board helps keep your draft organized and on track. Alternatively, you can project a virtual draft board using a laptop and TV screen or projector.
Hold a pre-draft league summit. Having a humorous punishment for your league’s last-place finisher has become a popular fantasy trend in recent years. Before the draft starts, share some laughs by having league members nominate and vote on ideas for this year’s punishment, or simply use the opportunity to review any rule changes or other league business.
Give your draft party a theme. The simplest one is for managers to wear their favourite player’s jersey, but leagues with a little more imagination can go in a variety of directions. We once saw a league where everyone announced their own picks while dressed as their all-time favourite wrestler.
Find a fun way to assign draft slots. Sure, you could use an online randomizer, deck of cards, or pull numbered ping pong balls or pieces of paper out of a hat, but here’s a better (and way more fun) idea: hold your draft lottery using cans of Miller Lite instead. Simply write each draft number on the bottom of a can using a marker, have managers randomly select their Miller Lite and accompanying draft position, then raise a toast to the lucky winner of this year’s first overall pick.
Schedule at least one break. A fantasy draft isn’t supposed to be a grind, and a mid-draft break gives friends another chance to socialize, compare rosters, talk trash and enjoy more quality Miller Time.
Why host a draft party, anyway?
A well-planned draft party can keep league members active, engaged and excited to return year after year, regardless of their fantasy expertise or playoff success. It’s an excuse to connect with those in your league and have fun — aka why we play fantasy football in the first place. Trust us when we say you’ll remember those draft day conversations, jokes and good times long after you’ve forgotten the names of the players you picked.
