The big game is all set! On Sunday, February 11^th in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the San Francisco 49ers.

This Big Game Rematch from 2019 is extremely different this time around. Five years ago was the first time Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and others made it to the Big Game. Since then, the Chiefs have been to the Big Game four out of the last five years, winning it twice in that half-decade stretch.

On the other side of the ball, their Starting, MVP Candidate Quarterback Brock Purdy was a sophomore in college, and most of San Francisco’s offensive weapons were on another team.

This showdown between two of the best football teams of this past season will be a must-watch game for all of us to enjoy. But what do you need for such a momentous event? Cigars and snacks!

Snacking has always been synonymous with the big game. However, this is a four-hour event, which gives you a chance to smoke some of your favorite cigars, and there are some great food pairings to consider.

So here are some of our favorite cigar and snack pairings to enjoy together during the big game! Let’s also not forget drinks — I recommend a Dr. Pepper or Root Beer with each cigar and snack pairing, as each would be a great beverage to wash these treats down with

The first cigar and snack pairing choice is the newly released Punch Golden Era with one of my favorite dishes of all time — Buffalo Chicken Dip. This dip is always a staple at football parties I host or any parties for that matter.

It’s always a good snack to have while guests wait for the main course. While Buffalo Chicken Dip tends to be on the spicier side, that’s where the perfect balance of the Punch Golden Era comes into play.

Blended by the famous Christian Eiroa, this medium-bodied Honduran puro has deliciously sweet notes of cinnamon, leather, cream, and cocoa. Any of the three different sizes the Punch Golden Era comes in would be a perfect treat to enjoy while watching two elite football teams on Sunday.

Another delicious snack for the big game that I need to have at the ready is popcorn chicken or chicken nuggets. They’re a light bite and are easy to snack on throughout the game.

A cigar that has been known to pair well with any variety of chicken is the Montecristo White Series. This medium-bodied premium cigar that’s cloaked in an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper has flawless flavor notes that coat the palate perfectly.

Hints of cocoa, leather, cream, and caramel work well with any chicken dish you may decide to make for the big game. Plus, if your team is playing, then lighting up the Montecristo White Series in one of its many sizes will be a good celebratory cigar at the end of the game.

This next snack may not be a popular one in every household — however, I feel like it’s a necessity. Cheeseburger sliders are so easy and fun to make, and you can always mix and match the recipe from time to time.

While cheeseburger sliders can be a heavy meal, a cigar with a full-bodied profile could pair well with this option. One that comes to mind is the scrumptious Blackened by Drew Estate.

Hailing from Nicaragua, the Blackened has a Mexican San Andres wrapper bound by Connecticut Broadleaf and filled with tobaccos from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania.

The combination of these heavy and rich tobaccos would be a perfect cigar to enjoy after you’ve had your fill with a handful of sliders. If you find yourself having any other heavy meat platters during the big game, then the Blackened by Drew Estate is the perfect pairing option for those too.

Another snack for the big game that is a necessity at any watch party is pigs in a blanket. Whether you buy them pre-made or make them yourself, you need to bring a Tupperware full of these when you come to my big game party!

With the pigs in the blanket being rich and savory, I chose a cigar to pair alongside that has the same tasting notes and quality. The New World Dorado by AJ Fernandez seemed like the only right choice.

This medium-bodied gem with Nicaraguan tobaccos for the wrapper, binder, and filler is one of AJ’s latest to grab the attention of novices and aficionados alike. With a Sun-Grown Habano wrapper, the New World Dorado provides flavor notes of pepper, earth, and chocolate.

When I think of go-to treats I cannot live without during a watch party, pigs in a blanket and The New World Dorado by AJ Fernandez always come to mind!

Last, but certainly not least, the final cigar and snack pairing I suggest for the big game on Sunday, February 11^th is the Ashton Aged Maduro and Potato Skins.

Now, Potato Skins may not be at the forefront of everyone’s mind as a snack to have during the big game. But it is one of the most flavorful and filling snacks that anyone can have.

Potato Skins consist of bacon, cheese, scallions, and sour cream. With the Ashton Aged Maduro being on the medium side of strength and profile, one of its ten different sizes will go perfectly with potato skins.

With a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, the Ashton Aged Maduro has tobaccos from the Dominican Republic to have you salivating on each puff.

To start the big game off right, I’ll be getting a big glass of ice-cold Dr. Pepper, a plateful of Potato Skins, and an Ashton Aged Maduro right by my side. What will you be snacking and smoking?