How to Play Football Squares
Want to know how to play football squares? You need a 10 by 10 grid, 2 teams and a group of players. Each player takes a square, the numbers are drawn at random, and the score at the end of each quarter picks the winner. This guide shows how football squares work, step by step.
How do football squares work?
Football squares is a game played on a grid of 100 squares. One team runs across the top and the other runs down the side. Each row and column gets a random number from 0 to 9. At the end of each quarter, the last digit of each team’s score points to one winning square.
| Part of the game | How it works |
|---|---|
| Grid | 10 rows by 10 columns |
| Squares | 100 |
| Numbers | 0 to 9, drawn at random for each team |
| Winners | 4: end of the 1st quarter, halftime, end of the 3rd quarter and final score |
| Skill needed | None. Every square has the same chance before the draw |
What do you need to play football squares?
You need 4 things: a grid, a football game, a group of players and a fair way to draw numbers. A printed sheet works well at a party. An online grid works better when players are in different places, because everyone sees the same grid.
- A grid. Print one from the printable football squares page, or build one with the online football squares generator.
- A game. Any NFL or college football game works.
- Players. Any number of people can share the 100 squares. One player can take more than 1 square.
- A draw. Use slips of paper in a cup, playing cards from ace to 10, or the draw button in the generator.
How do you play football squares step by step?
Set up the grid, fill the squares, draw the numbers, then check the score 4 times. The whole setup takes about 10 minutes. Always fill every square before you draw the numbers, so no one can pick a square with numbers they like.
- Write one team name across the top of the grid and the other down the side.
- Agree on the cost of a square and the prizes, or play just for fun.
- Let each player write a name in the squares they want.
- Fill every square. If some are left, players can take extra squares.
- Draw the numbers 0 to 9 for the top row. Draw again for the side column.
- At the end of each quarter, use the last digit of each team’s score to find the winning square.
How do you find the winning square?
Take the last digit of each team’s score. Find the top team’s digit in the top row and the side team’s digit in the side column. The square where that column and row meet is the winner. A score of 17 to 10 means the digits are 7 and 0.
Here is an example with Kansas City on top and Buffalo on the side. The scores are made up to show the method.
| Checkpoint | Example score | Top digit | Side digit |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of 1st quarter | 7 to 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Halftime | 14 to 10 | 4 | 0 |
| End of 3rd quarter | 21 to 13 | 1 | 3 |
| Final score | 24 to 20 | 4 | 0 |
The same square can win more than once. In this example, the square for 4 and 0 wins at halftime and again at the end.
What happens in football squares if the game goes to overtime?
Most groups use the final score, including overtime, for the last prize. Some groups name 2 winners instead: one for the end of the 4th quarter and one for the final score. Pick one rule before kickoff and write it under the grid, so there is no argument later.
The football squares rules page has a short list of rules a host can copy.
Which numbers are best in football squares?
In NFL games, 0, 7, 3 and 4 show up most often as the last digit of a score. 5, 2 and 8 show up least. You cannot choose your numbers, because they are drawn after the squares are filled. Every square has the same chance before the draw.
See the full table on the best numbers page.
How are the prizes split in football squares?
Most groups split the prize fund across the 4 checkpoints. An even split gives 25% to each one. Many groups give more to the final score, such as 20%, 20%, 20% and 40%. Some play for small prizes or just for fun. Set the split before the game starts.
| Split | 1st quarter | Halftime | 3rd quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Bigger final | 20% | 20% | 20% | 40% |
The payout calculator works out each prize for you. Rules on paid pools differ from state to state. Check your local rules first, or play for fun.
Can you play football squares with fewer than 100 squares?
Yes. A 50 square grid has 10 columns and 5 rows, and each row carries 2 numbers. A 25 square grid has 5 columns and 5 rows, and each row and column carries 2 numbers. Small grids fill faster, so they suit small groups and family games.
You can download each size from the football squares template page.
Football Squares FAQ
How many people can play football squares?
Any number from 2 to 100. There are 100 squares, and one player can take more than 1. Many hosts set a limit per player so everyone gets a fair share.
Do you pick your own numbers in football squares?
No. Players pick squares, not numbers. The numbers 0 to 9 are drawn at random after every square is filled.
When should the numbers be drawn?
Draw them after every square has a name in it and before kickoff. An early draw lets players choose squares with strong numbers, which is not fair.
What if some squares are empty at kickoff?
Agree on a rule first. Common choices are to share the empty squares among the players, or to carry the prize over to the next checkpoint when an empty square wins.
Can the same square win every quarter?
Yes, but it is rare. The winner is worked out again at each checkpoint, using the score at that moment.
Can you play football squares for free?
Yes. Many families, schools and offices play for small prizes or for fun. The game works the same way with or without an entry cost.
Is football squares only for NFL games?
No. It works for any football game that is scored by quarter, including college games.
Ready to play football squares?
Now you know how to play football squares: fill the grid, draw the numbers and check the score 4 times. Create a free grid online or print a blank grid, and you are ready for kickoff.
Football Squares Hub is an independent website. It is not affiliated with the NFL, the NCAA or any team.