How to be the best Fantasy Football host

Become a Super Bowl -Worthy Host with these epic tips.

As the Fantasy Football host, you are the hub of the wheel, the center from which all shenanigans flows. Your leadership will enhance the enjoyment and engagement of your league members. We wanna help you take things to the next level, and to do that we’ve gathered some tips to help you be the best Fantasy Football host:

Set Clear League Guidelines

First things first. Establish clear rules and guidelines for your league before the season starts. Communicate these rules to all participants to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding scoring, roster management, trades, and any other league-specific rules.

If there is a buy-in, make sure to be transparent and that everyone in your league is clear on what they are contributing. The same goes for facilitating trades throughout the season. If you’ve decided that there will be trading allowed, then act as a mediator or facilitator for trade negotiations between league members. Ensure fairness and transparency in the trade process, and be available to answer any questions or concerns from participants.

The goal is to raise the stakes and have a blast doing it, but it’s important to start with a good foundation.

Facilitate Communication

As you plan for the football season, create a platform or group chat where league members can communicate, share updates, discuss trades, and engage in good, old-fashioned trash talk. It is your duty to encourage active participation and foster a sense of community within the league.

When the season takes off, keep league members informed by providing regular updates on standings, weekly matchups, and league news. Send out newsletters or post updates on the league platform to maintain engagement and excitement throughout the season.

Provide Technology and Resources

The best fantasy football host will take advantage of available resources. Utilize available fantasy football platforms or websites to manage your league effectively. These platforms can help automate scoring, track player performance, and provide resources for research and analysis. Take a look at what’s out there ahead of time, and then provide the necessary resources to your league. Unless, of course, it gives them an advantage! So, keep things fair, but remember to keep the competition alive!

Plan Engaging Draft Parties

Alright, now that you have the all-important foundation laid out, it’s time to prepare for takeoff!

Organize an in-person or virtual draft party to kick off the season. Since you are the best fantasy football host around, it is appropriate for you to host the draft at your place. However, you can consider hosting the draft at a sports bar for a fun atmosphere. Better still, if you can find some place with a large screen where you can project the draft in real time for all to see! Maybe a conference room at your office after hours, or maybe a church conference room or someone’s game room. You want to start things off the right way, so providing snacks and drinks is a must. It’s ok to ask for everyone to bring something pot-luck style. You can also incorporate draft games or prizes to add an extra element of excitement.

Come up with some competitive event to settle the drafting order. Hey, who says that just because you’re the host you get to go first?

Organize League Events

Plan social events or gatherings outside of regular game days to foster camaraderie among league members. This can include watch parties for key matchups, mid-season meetups, or end-of-season celebrations. How else are you gonna make sure you have banter ammo ready to go?

Offer Prizes and Incentives

Last, but not least, the best fantasy football host knows how to raise the stakes. You could be like everyone else and get a gift card, or a cash prize or a gift certificate (yuck!). Or, you could make this competition totally epic and seal the deal with an Epic Foundries trophy! The American-made full bronze and wood trophy, complete with a customizable screen. You can enter the name of the current winner, plus you’ll be able to look back on the previous winners. No need for the hassle of ordering a new plaque!

You mighty also consider offering prizes or incentives throughout the season. Also, you can give rewards or punishments according to your liking for league champions, highest-scoring team, coming in dead-last or other categories you choose.

BONUS: Be a Responsive and Engaged Host

Remember, you are the hub of the wheel. If you drop out, the whole thing falls apart. Stay accessible and responsive to league members' inquiries, feedback, and concerns throughout the season. Address any disputes or issues promptly and fairly, ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued. Being the best fantasy football host is a responsibility, for sure, but it is one that is sure to pay dividends of fun, family and friendship for years to come!