The Rise of Watch Parties

Is partying dead? That’s the question that Fast Company asks, and you might be right to wonder.

COVID broke social norms and changed how people habitually gathered. I once heard someone describe it as social fitness. The longer you’re not socializing, the more out of habit you are, the harder it is to start up again, and even the thought of it can be exhausting and overwhelming. The more you socialize, the easier it becomes, and the more enjoyment you get from it. Technology has made it possible to order in high-quality restaurant food, binge-watch TV shows, and scroll passively on social media, all from the comfort of your own couch.

According to Evite’s 2026 Pregame Report, partying is not dead, but the way people gather together is different. The survey of 5,000 users shows a massive shift toward deeper connections over crowded spectacles. Gen Z has been dubbed “generation stay-at-home,” but that doesn’t mean they are isolating. They are just prioritizing comfort.

Watch parties are now the third-most-popular event type, behind birthdays and holidays.

It’s funny that they mention the rise of watch parties, as that’s how Friday’s Pizza began all those years ago. Pizza is the perfect food to go along with a watch party, and it feels a lot less confronting to go to a watch party versus a formal dinner party!

Evite also points to the most common frustration felt by hosts: guests who RSVP “yes” and then are no-shows. With a growing proportion of people reporting feelings of loneliness (and it being dubbed an epidemic), showing up matters more than ever, and it’s the best gift you can give yourself and your host who is making the effort to gather people together. Evite is calling 2026 the year of honored commitments. I like that!

To help things go smoothly and reduce stress for everyone, Evite also recommends over-communicating with guests by giving them all the details about food, parking, timings, etc., upfront, even for low-key gatherings.

Here’s to more eating together, more meaningful memories, and a lot more pizza in 2026!