Free · Play online · No sign-up
Beer olympics: events, teams and a medal table
Teams in matching shirts, flags, a torch relay with cups of water and a medal table: the beer olympics turns a backyard party into a tournament. Here are the best events, how to score them, and a free planner that shuffles the teams and keeps the medal table for you.
- 👥 8–40 players (teams of 2–5)
- ⏱ 2–4 hours
- 🎒 Cups, balls, a table and a garden
Beer Olympics: play online
Teams, events and a medal table
Shuffle everyone into teams, pick your events, then record the podium after each one. The medal table updates as you go and crowns the champions at the closing ceremony.
Shuffle players into 2–8 teams, choose your events, then tap the teams in finishing order after each event. The medal table ranks by gold, then silver, then bronze.
Beer Olympics: quick rules
Split everyone into teams of 2–5 (4 is ideal) with a colour or country each. Pick 4–6 events, like beer pong, flip cup, quarters and beersbee. After each event, award gold, silver and bronze. The team with the most golds (then silvers, then bronzes) at the end wins the beer olympics.
The best beer olympics games
| Event | Format | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Beer pong | Knockout bracket | 6 cups, one re-rack; use our bracket |
| Flip cup | All teams race | First team to flip every cup |
| Quarters | Timed round | 10 bounces per team; most sinks |
| Beersbee | Round robin | Games to 11, win by 2 |
| Cornhole | Knockout | Games to 21, cancellation scoring |
| Relay race | All teams race | Carry a full cup of water round a course; most water left wins |
| Water balloon toss | Pairs | Step back after every catch |
| Rage cage | One big game | Team with the fewest stacks wins |
| Cup stacking | Timed | Build and unstack a 3-2-1 pyramid fastest |
| Trivia round | All teams | 10 questions; most right answers |
| Beer die | Knockout | Games to 7, win by 2 |
| Beer darts | Knockout | Safe setup: everyone throws from one line |
How to run a beer olympics
Teams
Teams of 4 work best; with 16–24 guests that’s 4–6 teams. Shuffle them randomly (the planner does it) so friends mix.
Countries or colours
Each team picks a country or a colour, and dresses the part: matching T-shirts, flags, headbands.
Opening ceremony
Parade of nations, a team chant, and a “torch” relay with a cup of water.
Events
Run 4–6 events. Set up stations so two events can run at the same time.
Medals
Gold, silver and bronze after each event. The planner ranks teams by golds, then silvers, then bronzes.
Closing ceremony
Crown the champions, hand out medals (chocolate coins work), and water for everyone.
Beer olympics scoring
The simplest scoring is the real Olympic one: a medal table ranked by golds, then silvers, then bronzes. If you have many teams and want everyone to count, use points instead: 5 for first, 3 for second, 2 for third and 1 for taking part, and give a bonus point to the best-dressed team.
Tie at the end? A flip cup final between the tied teams settles it.
Keeping the beer olympics safe
A beer olympics is a long afternoon, often in the sun. Use small pours in every game cup (or water in the game cups and a sip of your own drink for each loss), make one event a pure water event (the relay), and put a water station and snacks next to the medal table.
Plan the ride home before the opening ceremony, and give non-drinkers important jobs: judges, referees, and the medal table keeper. More on our drink responsibly page.
Beer Olympics variations
- Winter olympics
- Indoor events: flip cup, quarters, rage cage, trivia and a stacking race.
- Backyard olympics
- Lawn events only: beersbee, cornhole, balloon toss and a relay.
- Beer olympics for two teams
- Two big teams play every event head to head; best of 7 events.
Tips for a good game
- Print a schedule and stick it on the fridge.
- Run two events at once to keep everyone busy.
- Chocolate medals, a plastic trophy and a flag for the winners.
Play it safe: every game here works with sips of any drink, or none at all. Only adults of legal drinking age should drink alcohol, alternate with water, and never drink and drive. [How to drink responsibly](/drink-responsibly/)
Beer Olympics: FAQ
What are good beer olympics games?
Beer pong, flip cup, quarters, beersbee, cornhole, a relay race and a water balloon toss are the classics. Pick 4–6.
How many people do you need for a beer olympics?
At least 8 (4 teams of 2); it’s best with 16–24 in teams of 4.
How do you score a beer olympics?
A medal table ranked by golds, then silvers, then bronzes, or points for every place (5, 3, 2, 1). The planner above keeps the medal table for you.
How long does a beer olympics take?
Plan 2–4 hours for 4–6 events, including the ceremonies.
Can you do a beer olympics without drinking?
Yes: every event works with water or soda. Call it the backyard olympics.
More drinking games to try
- Flip Cup The team relay: drink, flip, next. With a relay timer.
- Beer Pong Rules, setup, re-racks, a cup tracker and a tournament bracket.
- Large-group games Team games and party games for 8 to 30+ players.
- Outdoor drinking games Cornhole, hook and ring, yard pong, beersbee and more.