Some games are all about what’s happening on the field. Football Squares makes what’s happening around the room a little more fun, too.
You don’t have to know every player, understand every penalty, or even have a favorite team to join in. Once everyone has a square, suddenly that score at the end of the quarter matters to everybody.
And that’s one of the things I love about games like this. They give everyone something to be part of.
Whether you’re planning a family game day, hosting friends, organizing an office football pool, or gathering a larger group for the big game, I’ve created 25-, 50-, and 100-square printable Football Pools so you can choose the size that works for your group.
Looking for a Printable Football Squares Grid?
Already know how Football Squares works and just need a printable? You’re in the right place.
Choose the size that fits your group:
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25 Square Football Pool — a smaller grid that's easier to fill with family or a smaller group.
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50 Square Football Pool — a great middle-ground option when 25 isn't quite enough but 100 is more than you need.
- 100 Square Football Pool — the classic 10 × 10 Football Squares grid for larger groups.
Each printable includes both numbered and blank grid options, a signup sheet, and a draw-numbers page.
Not sure which size to choose? Keep reading and I’ll walk you through the differences. New to Football Squares? I’ve got you covered there, too.
What Is a Football Squares Pool?
Football Squares is a game built around the score of a football game.
Players choose squares on a grid. After the squares have been claimed, numbers from 0–9 are randomly assigned to the two teams. At the end of each scoring period, you look at the last digit of each team’s score.
Where those two numbers meet on the grid determines the winning square.
For example, if the score is:
Team A: 17
Team B: 24
you would use the numbers 7 and 4 to find the winning square.
No football expertise required!
Which Football Pool Should I Choose?
This really comes down to the size of your group and how many squares you want to fill.
I created three versions because a 100-square grid is perfect for some gatherings…and a whole lot of empty boxes for others.
25 Square Football Pool
For a smaller gathering, start with the 25 Square Football Pool Printable.
This version gives you just 25 squares to fill, making it especially handy for family gatherings, smaller game-day parties, or groups where 100 squares would simply be too many.
50 Square Football Pool
Need something in between?
The 50 Square Football Pool Printable gives you more room without requiring your group to fill all 100 squares.
It’s a nice middle ground for medium-size parties, extended-family gatherings, workplaces, and groups where you expect plenty of players but don’t necessarily need the traditional 100-square setup.
100 Square Football Pool
For the classic setup, there’s the 100 Square Football Pool Printable.
This is the traditional 10 × 10 grid with 100 squares, making it a natural choice for larger gatherings, offices, fundraisers, parties, and groups with lots of players.
Still not sure? Don’t overthink it. Choose the grid you think your group can comfortably fill. A smaller full grid is a lot more fun than a giant grid with half the squares sitting empty.
How to Play Football Squares
Once you have your grid, getting everything ready is pretty simple.
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Choose your grid size. Pick 25, 50, or 100 squares based on your group.
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Add the two teams. Write one team across the top of the grid and the other along the side.
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Let everyone choose their squares. Players write their names in the available squares they want.
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Wait until the squares are filled before assigning the numbers. Nobody knows which score combinations they'll end up with when choosing a square.
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Randomly draw the numbers 0–9 for each team. Add the numbers to the spaces along the top and side of the grid.
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Watch the game. At the end of each designated scoring period, use the last digit of each team's score to determine the winner.
Your printable also gives you space to record the score, winner, and payout for the 1st Quarter, Halftime, 3rd Quarter, and Final, so everything can stay together on one sheet.
When Should You Draw the Numbers?
After everyone has chosen their squares.
This is one of the most important parts of setting up a fair Football Squares game.
If the numbers are already visible when players choose their squares, they can intentionally look for score combinations they think are more likely.
Instead, let everyone choose first.
Then draw 0 through 9 randomly for each team and fill in the number spaces around the grid.
That little bit of randomness is what makes Football Squares work. You may end up cheering for a score combination you never expected to care about!
How Do You Determine the Winner?
You only need the last digit of each team’s score.
If the score is 21–17, for example, you're looking for the intersection of 1 for one team and 7 for the other. The person whose square matches those two numbers wins that scoring period.
The printable grids include places to track: 1st Quarter • Halftime • 3rd Quarter • Final along with the score, winner, and payout.
That means you don't need a separate score sheet sitting somewhere waiting to disappear underneath the chips and dip!
How Do the 25- and 50-Square Football Pools Work?
If you've only ever played on a traditional 100-square grid, the smaller versions may look a little different at first.
The idea is still the same: all ten ending digits, 0 through 9, are represented for each team.
With fewer physical squares, the numbers are grouped so the smaller grids can still accommodate the possible last digits of the football score.
That gives a smaller group the fun of Football Squares without needing enough players to fill 100 individual squares.
Already Know How to Run a Football Pool?
Then you probably don’t need me explaining what the number 7 means when the score is 27.
If you've been running football pools for years, these printables are really about making setup easier.
Instead of drawing a grid from scratch, creating a separate signup sheet, making your own number slips, and finding somewhere to keep track of the quarter winners, you can print the pieces you need and get everything ready before everyone arrives.
Each version also gives you numbered and blank grid options, so you can choose the setup that fits the way you've always run your pool.
Sometimes you don't need someone to teach you the game. You just need someone else to make the grid!
Can Football Squares Be Played Without Money?
Absolutely.
Football Squares can simply be played for fun, bragging rights, small prizes, candy, or whatever makes sense for your group.
If you're using money or running a paid pool, make sure you follow any rules that apply where you live or within your organization.
For family game day, the prize can be something wonderfully uncomplicated. Sometimes being able to announce, “I WON THE THIRD QUARTER!” to everyone in the room is prize enough!
Use Your Football Pool All Season
Football Squares doesn't have to be something you pull out for only one game.
Use it for regular-season games, playoffs, rivalry games, bowl games, championship games, or any football gathering where you'd like to give everyone another reason to watch the scoreboard.
And because the printables are instant downloads, you can print another copy whenever the next game rolls around.
Ready to Start Your Football Pool?
The best games don't have to be complicated.
Sometimes all it takes is one sheet of paper on the table to get everyone checking the score, teasing each other over their numbers, and cheering over something they weren't paying attention to five minutes earlier.
Browse my football pool collection. Choose what fits your group and your gathering.
And then enjoy the game, the food, the laughs, and the time together. That's the good stuff.
Wishing you laughter, connection & fun,
Laura ❤️
Firefly Parade