Have you ever wondered what the guys on your fantasy football team eat to fuel up before a game? Well, maybe not the ones who aren’t scoring you any points. But football games last hours, and even though players aren’t active every second, games are always high-energy and fully involved—and even more so at the Super Bowl. NFL players on both the Patriots and Seahawks have been prepping all week for the big game, and pre-game nutrition plays a huge role in optimizing performance.
A few weeks ago, the Patriots gave fans a glimpse into what players typically eat during a game on the road. Likely, their pre-Super Bowl meals will stick to the same roots. And even if you’re rooting for the Seahawks, most NFL teams take the same approach to pregame nutrition, offering a range of simple and familiar, fuel-focused foods tailored to individual preferences.
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“At the pre-game meal, there’s not a single time players are expected to come and sit down and eat,” says one of the food service staff members of the New England Patriots. “Instead, it’s an open meal period and they can come and go as they like . . . We want guys to be able to mimic their routines as closely as possible.”
Related: Super Bowl LX: What Happened the Last Time the Patriots Played the Seahawks?
Not everyone eats the same meals, as preferences vary. Some players prefer breakfast items, while others lean toward lunch items. Additionally, some players will sit and eat their meals at the hotel, while others prefer to take it to-go and eat on the way to the stadium.
For the cold continental breakfast, starting around 6 a.m., options include carb-heavy foods like bagels, toast, and English muffins alongside a fruit and shake station. An hour later, hot breakfast items are added, including pancakes eggs, egg whites, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast potatoes, oatmeal, grits, and an omelet station.
Lunch items are also offered, featuring grilled chicken, salmon, and steak for protein, along with pasta and rice for carbs. Dry snacks and beverages, like Gatorade for electrolytes, plus coffee and tea, are also available throughout the morning.
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Even though these guys have access to all the fixings, it goes to show that pre-exercise nutrition doesn’t have to be overly complicated. The main focus is on carbs for energy and protein to keep muscles fueled through extended periods of work.
Related: Seahawks Defensive Star Injured Ahead of Super Bowl LX
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Feb 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health & Fitness section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
