There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a high-stakes basketball game—unless, of course, you add some friendly drinking competition into the mix! Whether you’re watching your favorite NBA team, cheering on your college during March Madness, or just enjoying a pick-up game on TV, a basketball drinking game takes game night to the next level.
We’ve curated a list of easy-to-follow drinking games that will get you and your friends in the spirit of the game, regardless of your basketball knowledge. From simple rules for beginners to epic challenges for seasoned players, we’ve got you covered. So grab your favorite drink, gather your crew, and get ready to take your basketball watch parties up a notch!
Table of Contents
Easy Basketball Drinking Games for Beginners
You don’t need to be a basketball guru to enjoy these games. In fact, all you need is a drink in hand and a good sense of humor! These beginner-friendly games are perfect for casual fans who want to spice up a regular game night.
Swishes & Free Throws
Every time a player makes a smooth swish, it’s time to take a sip! But here’s the kicker: when a player steps up to the free-throw line, double the punishment for each successful shot. Sure, they make it look easy, but it won’t feel so simple after a few rounds!
Foul Trouble
Fouls are part of the game, but they’re also a fun way to get everyone drinking! Every time a foul is called—on either team—everyone takes a drink. Warning: games with aggressive defenses might have you sipping a lot, so pace yourself!
Turnovers & Traveling Violations
Oops! Every time a player messes up with a turnover or a traveling violation, raise your glass. It’s a fun way to acknowledge the missteps while keeping the game’s tension high.
Basketball March Madness Drinking Games
When March Madness rolls around, you know things are going to get wild. But with these March Madness-specific drinking rules, you’ll have even more reasons to celebrate (or commiserate) every upset, buzzer-beater, and bracket buster!
Cinderella Story Celebration
We all love a good underdog story, right? Anytime a lower-seeded team pulls off a stunning upset, it’s time to raise your glass! If that Cinderella team wins by 10 points or more, the drinks should be doubled—because who doesn’t love a little extra chaos?
Buzzer-Beater Madness
Nothing gets the heart racing like a buzzer-beater! When a game is decided in those final seconds, everyone deserves a celebratory shot. And if the game goes into overtime? You guessed it—double up those drinks! (Sorry, your nerves aren’t the only thing going overtime.)
Bracket Buster Blues
Ouch! When your perfect bracket goes up in flames, it’s time for a drink. For every team that messes up your picks, you’ve got to pay the price. Want to make it more interesting? Whoever has the least busted bracket at the end of the night gets a prize—like the power to pick the snacks for the next game.
NBA Finals Drinking Games
The NBA Finals bring the heat, and so should your drinking games. This is the biggest stage in basketball, so let’s raise the stakes with some high-intensity rules for your NBA watch party.
Superstar Showdown
It’s time to choose your champion! Pick a star player—LeBron, Tatum, Jokic, or whoever you think will dominate the game. Every time your chosen player scores a basket, take a drink to celebrate their greatness. Got a bigger group? Make it a competition by splitting into teams and see whose superstar outshines the rest.
Rivalry Rematch
Some matchups are legendary: Lakers vs. Celtics, Warriors vs. Cavs. Pick your side and drink every time your team scores. The friendly trash talk will only get better as the drinks flow, so make sure to deck out your space with team colors and snacks to match the vibe.
Signature Move Mania
You know it when you see it—Curry’s step-back three, Giannis bulldozing through the defense, or Luka’s magic passes. Choose your favorite player’s signature move and every time they pull it off, take a drink. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, hoping to see that move again and again!
College Basketball Drinking Games
College basketball has its own unique charm, and these drinking games are designed to capture the spirit of college hoops, with all the rivalries, upsets, and, of course, mascot madness.
Mascot Madness
Who doesn’t love a good mascot moment? Anytime one of those fluffy, weird creatures gets major screen time, take a sip! Double down if the mascot does something truly ridiculous, like crowd-surfing or attempting some questionable dance moves.
Upset Alert
Underdogs make March Madness what it is. Celebrate the chaos by taking a shot whenever a lower-seeded team pulls off an upset victory. If it’s a 16-seed beating a 1-seed? That calls for something a bit stronger—cheers to the madness!
Conference Clash
Is your heart with the Big Ten? The SEC? Pick your favorite conference, and every time a team from your conference scores, take a drink. If they lose? Time to commiserate with a bigger gulp.
Interactive Challenges for Advanced Players
For those who want to add a bit of skill and strategy to their drinking game, these challenges will put your basketball knowledge (and hand-eye coordination) to the test.
Half-Court Heroics
Before a free throw is shot, roll up some paper or grab a Nerf ball and see if you can make your own “half-court” shot. Miss? The free throw shooter better nail theirs, or it’s drinks all around!
Prediction Master
Think you can predict the final score or top scorers? Make your predictions before the game or each quarter. Whoever gets the closest earns the right to assign drinks to the losers.
Stat Showdown
Pick a stat category—rebounds, assists, whatever you fancy. Each person chooses a player and drinks every time their player dominates the stat line. It’s a great way to keep things competitive all game long.
Basketball Drinking Game Variations
1. Drunk Dunk Contest
Because no basketball game night is complete without some show-stopping dunks (or at least hilarious attempts at them).
How It Works:
- Create a makeshift “hoop” using a trash can or laundry basket.
- Each player takes turns trying to “dunk” (throw a crumpled paper or foam ball) in the basket while standing at least six feet away.
- The Twist: Every missed dunk means the shooter has to drink. But if someone nails a slam dunk, they get to assign drinks to others in the group!
Bonus Round: Try doing your dunk while balancing on one foot or while spinning around beforehand. Hilarity (and lots of missed shots) will ensue.
2. The Mascot Impersonation Challenge
This one is perfect for those who enjoy a little bit of ridiculous fun, especially when mascots hit the screen.
How It Works:
- Every time a team’s mascot appears on screen, one person must impersonate the mascot. Think awkward dances, pretend to wave at a pretend crowd, or engage in some over-the-top antics.
- The Twist: If the group judges the impersonation as “lame,” the person has to drink. If it’s spot on and hilarious, they get to assign drinks to two others.
Mascot Mayhem: For every ridiculous mascot stunt—like climbing into the crowd, doing a cartwheel, or chasing someone on the sidelines—everyone drinks double.
3. Dribble Like a Drunk
Ever tried dribbling a basketball while tipsy? It’s harder than you think—and a whole lot funnier!
How It Works:
- Take a mini basketball (or something similar like a soccer ball) and give it to the least-sober person in the group.
- They have to dribble the ball while walking in a straight line for at least 10 steps.
- The Twist: If they drop the ball or stumble, they have to take a drink. If they manage to dribble flawlessly (which is pretty rare after a few rounds), they can assign drinks to two people.
Bonus Challenge: Make them dribble while spinning in a circle—good luck holding onto your drink during this one.
4. Jersey Swap Chaos
Inspired by the classic post-game jersey swaps, this game gets wild when the drinks kick in.
How It Works:
- At the start of the game, everyone picks a player from one of the teams. If your player gets subbed out or fouls out of the game, you have to “swap jerseys” by switching seats with someone else.
- The Twist: Every time you swap, you have to take a drink. And yes, this can happen multiple times, so expect a lot of movement (and drinking).
Bonus Round: If a player you picked ends up with a technical foul, everyone else gets to assign you a dare that you must complete!
5. NBA Legends Trivia Timeouts
Test your basketball knowledge during timeouts with some trivia—but be ready to drink for wrong answers!
How It Works:
- During every timeout, the group plays a quick round of basketball trivia. Questions can range from “Which player holds the record for most points in a single game?” to “How many championships have the Lakers won?”
- The Twist: For every wrong answer, the person must drink. If someone answers correctly, they get to make someone else drink. If no one knows the answer, everyone drinks!
Pro Tip: Go for some obscure trivia to really stump your friends.
More Exciting Sports Drinking Games
While basketball drinking games are a blast, other sports offer unique experiences for your watch party. Whether it’s the fast-paced action of hockey, the laid-back vibe of golf, or the strategic rhythm of baseball, each sport brings something fresh to your drinking game lineup.
Hockey Drinking Game
Hockey’s relentless pace and hard-hitting action make for an adrenaline-pumping drinking game. Every power play, bone-crunching hit, and penalty box trip keeps the drinks flowing and the intensity sky-high. With hockey drinking games, the action never slows down, so neither will your fun!
Golf Drinking Game
Don’t let golf’s calm demeanor fool you—golf drinking games turn every stroke into a chance to toast or take a shot. Celebrate birdies, curse those missed putts, and enjoy the balance between focus and fun. Golf’s slow burn gives you the perfect opportunity to laugh, chat, and sip with every swing.
Baseball Drinking Game
Baseball may be methodical, but that just means more time to build anticipation and celebrate those big moments! Turn every home run, strikeout, and double play into a reason to raise your glass. With baseball drinking games, the steady rhythm makes for a thrilling drinking game that’s packed with suspense.
Football Drinking Game
Football and drinking games are a perfect match, with every play packed full of excitement and drama. The NFL’s hard-hitting action, incredible touchdowns, and game-changing moments provide endless opportunities for fun. Whether you’re hosting a Sunday watch party or getting together for the Super Bowl, this NFL drinking game will take your football experience to the next level.
DIY Basketball-Themed Cocktails and Shots
Let’s be real—no basketball drinking game is complete without some killer drinks to match the action on the court. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just love a good shot, why not throw in some hoops flair to your drink menu? Below are some easy-to-make basketball-themed cocktails and shots that will have you and your friends feeling like MVPs by halftime.
Three-Point Shooter
- Ingredients: Vodka, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water, and a Lemon Twist
- Instructions: Mix 2 oz of vodka, 1 oz of lemon juice, and 1 oz of simple syrup in a shaker. Pour over ice in a glass and top it off with soda water. Garnish with a lemon twist and sip after each three-pointer scored.
Buzzer-Beater Bombs
- Ingredients: Jägermeister, Red Bull
- Instructions: This is your classic bomb shot with a twist. Pour a shot of Jägermeister, and drop it into a half-full glass of Red Bull. Whenever there’s a last-second buzzer-beater, down this explosive drink to celebrate the excitement!
Slam Dunk Sangria
- Ingredients: Red Wine, Brandy, Orange Juice, Sliced Oranges, and Strawberries
- Instructions: Combine a bottle of red wine, 1/2 cup of brandy, and 1 cup of orange juice. Add in sliced oranges and strawberries, and let it chill for at least an hour. This is the perfect drink to sip on throughout the game, especially for those epic slam dunks.
The Airball Shot
- Ingredients: Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, Blue Curacao
- Instructions: Mix equal parts of coconut rum and pineapple juice, then float a splash of blue curacao on top for that perfect court-side color. Drink every time someone throws up an airball—this tropical shot will make missing shots feel a lot less painful!
Basketball drinking game brings the excitement of the sport into your living room or watch party, giving you and your friends even more reason to celebrate each swish, foul, and buzzer-beater. Whether you’re watching March Madness, the NBA Finals, or a regular-season game, there’s a rule set that’s perfect for your group. So go ahead—grab a drink, pick your favorite team, and let the games begin!