Wing prices take flight ahead of Super Bowl LIX

The price of a Super Bowl staple – chicken wings – is expected to rise slightly as fans gear up for Super Bowl LIX, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Over recent decades, chicken wings, which include flats and drumettes, have become a favorite snack for sports fans, with demand peaking around major sporting events.

David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station, said the love for wings isn’t expected to diminish any time soon.

“The Super Bowl has always driven demand for wings, and that is not going to change,” Anderson said. “But wings have also become an everyday menu item, which means we are seeing other spikes throughout the year likely based on supply and demand.” 

The National Chicken Council estimates 1.47 billion chicken wings will be consumed around the Feb. 9 football game for the Lombardi Trophy between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

To put that in perspective, if laid end to end, those 1.47 billion wings would circle the Earth more than three times, according to the National Chicken Council release.

Wing prices climb amid high demand

The increased popularity for wings has transformed what was a once-upon-a-time afterthought cut of meat into one of the most sought-after items on the menu during sporting events.

“Wings were a poultry cut that used to be practically worthless,” Anderson said. “Then someone tossed them in some buffalo sauce and dipped them in blue cheese or ranch dressing. Now, restaurants across the country want to capitalize on that popularity.”

This year, he said, fans can expect to pay slightly more per pound for wings than they did last year, but wholesale prices are much lower than just six months ago. Wholesale prices are $1.91 per pound compared to $1.76 per pound, 8.3% higher than the same week last year, Anderson said. But that’s well below the $2.65 per pound wing’s hit in June 2024.

Anderson noted that while recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have significantly impacted laying hens for egg production, it has had little impact on broilers for meat production. Their shorter production cycle reduces exposure risks, supporting a steady supply of chicken wings heading into the big game.

The higher prices around the Super Bowl are related solely to the sky-high demand going into gameday, he said. The ups-and-downs of prices throughout the rest of the year are tied to production levels, demand and other factors like feed prices.

Nothing bigger than the Super Bowl for wing consumption

Wings’ culinary ascendence parallels a beef cut once considered lower value – the brisket – and the booming popularity of barbecue, Anderson said. But like brisket, wing production is inherently limited by animal physiology as there are only two flats and two drumettes per chicken.

From sports bars to restaurant chains, businesses continue to cash in on the country’s love for chicken wings. However, as Anderson said, the rise of the wing will always be rooted in sports.

“Wings’ place in popular culture began with restaurants and bars catering to sports fans,” he said. “A big part of that still holds true today, and there is nothing bigger in sports than the Super Bowl.”