Game Day is almost here, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Which wings will take the crown? It’s the second biggest food day of the year (only Thanksgiving tops it), and with so many snacks entering the competition, the real question isn’t if wings will make an appearance — it’s which ones will dominate the spread.
Chicken wings are the undeniable MVP of the day — boneless or bone-in, the debate rages on. According to a recent Tyson Foods survey*, 34% of wing enthusiasts are all about boneless wings, but don’t count out the drumstick loyalists (27%) or the flat fanatics (20%). We all know there’s a wing for every taste bud, and it’s hard to argue with that.
But wait — chicken nuggets are getting their share of love too, with 1 in 5 saying they’re excited to include these crispy bites on their Big Game menu. And if you can get your hands on some fun shapes (we’re talking hogs, stars and arrowheads here), you might just win all-star snacker.
At Tyson Foods, we’ve got the inside scoop on all the wings. As one of the nation’s largest producers of chicken wings, nuggets and strips, we know how to serve up something special for the Big Game crowd. Whether you’re all in on boneless, sticking to traditional bone-in or tossing in a few nuggets for good measure, we’ve got you covered with high-quality, crowd-pleasing options that help make game day stress-free.
“Boneless wings are growing fast in popularity, especially among consumers looking for a quick, tasty bite that’s a little easier to manage for everyday eating,” said Kristina Lambert, SVP & GM of Retail Value Added Poultry at Tyson Foods. “But, of course, bone-in wings still have their place and have become synonymous with sporting events. There’s really a wing for everyone at the table.”
No matter your wing preference, these crispy delights are only going up in popularity and you don’t want to be caught without them on Game Day. Research shows boneless wings saw a 5.9% growth last year, and bone-in wings? They’re crushing it with a 21.8% increase in sales1. In February — Big Game month — sales for bone-in wings are expected to spike by 20-30%, with boneless wings catching up at a solid 10-20% increase2.
If you want to wow the crowd with some top-tier wings, Tyson® Brand has got you covered. Whether you’re in the mood for crispy boneless or classic bone-in, we’ve got the perfect picks for your game day spread:
- Tyson® Lightly Breaded Boneless Chicken Bites
- Tyson® Any’tizers® Frozen Sweet BBQ Flavored Boneless Chicken Bites
- Tyson® Any’tizers® Frozen Buffalo Style Hot Bone-in Wings
- Tyson® Restaurant Style Rotisserie Seasoned Crispy Wings
For an extra “wow” factor, try our Swicy Honey Garlic Bites. Using Tyson® Lightly Breaded Boneless Chicken Bites as the base, toss them in a sweet and spicy honey garlic sauce, then top with crunchy sesame seeds and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of “swicy,” offering heat, sweetness and crunch.
While we might still be waiting to see which team takes the win in New Orleans, one thing is for sure: wings will reign supreme at your Big Game gathering. Whether you’re all in on bone-in or boneless, it’s chicken wings that will score the most points with your friends.
*Online survey of 1,115 nationally representative Americans,750 of which plan to watch the Big Game, fielded by YouGov on behalf of Tyson Foods. The survey was fielded January 13-14, 2025 and the margin of error is +/-3%.
1Source: NielsenIQ Retail Measurement
2Source: NielsenIQ Retail Measurement