Stadium Cup Sizes & Quantity Planning Guide (12 oz vs 16 oz vs 22 oz vs 32 oz)

Custom stadium cups are popular because they feel sturdy, hold ice well, and get reused so your logo stays in someone’s hand longer than a one-and-done cup. For most promotions, 16 oz is the best “default” stadium cup size, 22 oz is best for bars and beer pours, 32 oz is best for refills/souvenir value, and 12 oz is best for tastings and short pours.

What is a “stadium cup”?

A stadium cup is a reusable-style plastic cup (often in larger capacities) designed for events where people carry drinks for longer and refills are common.

They’re used at tailgates, sports venues, festivals, bars, breweries, and corporate events because they balance cost, capacity, and durability.

If you want a more “standard” disposable drink cup assortment (often more size variety), compare with:

Stadium cup sizes: what each size is best for

Choose your stadium cup size based on drink type, ice, and how long guests will carry the cup.

Here’s the practical breakdown (sizes vary by product always confirm the exact ounce capacity on the item page):

12 oz stadium cups

Best for sampling, tastings, and short pours.

Use 12 oz when the goal is quick distribution and portion control (sampling tables, “sip-and-walk” tastings, brand demos).

If your whole activation is “samples first,” also consider:

16 oz stadium cups

Best all-around choice for mixed events (soda, water, cocktails with ice).

16 oz is the “safe default” because it fits common beverages while still leaving room for ice.

22 oz stadium cups

Best for bars, breweries, and drink specials where guests expect a bigger pour.

22 oz is a common “upgrade” size for beer pours, mixed drinks, and events where the cup should feel like a value item.

32 oz stadium cups

Best for refills, long outdoor events, and souvenir-style reuse.

Choose 32 oz when the goal is “carry it all day” (festivals, summer events, stadium tailgates, family days).

Quick decision table: pick your size in 20 seconds

Use this table when you need a fast, logical selection without overthinking it.

Stadium cups vs other cup categories: when NOT to use stadium cups

Stadium cups are best when you want re-use and “event durability,” but other cup types win in specific scenarios.

• If you need a clean eco/coffee-shop visual: choose paper cups
• If you want a softer hand feel or hot/cold insulation: choose foam cups
• If you want a sleek party aesthetic (especially for weddings/events): choose frosted plastic cups

How many custom stadium cups should you order?

A reliable baseline is 1–2 cups per guest for controlled-service events, and 2–3 cups per guest for bars, refills, and “walkaround” events.

Use the baseline that matches how people will drink:

Baselines you can actually use

• Corporate events (light drinking + water): 1–1.5 cups per person
• Tailgates / sports games / festivals (refills + longer time): 2 cups per person
• Bars / breweries / drink specials (high turnover + refills): 2–3 cups per person
• Sampling activations: 1 cup per sample (or switch to sample cups)

Simple “overage” rule (so you don’t run out)

Add 10–15% extra for staff, breakage, late arrivals, and “I want a second one” behavior.

If the cup is intentionally souvenir-like (especially 32 oz), lean toward the higher end.

What to print on stadium cups (so it reads fast at events)

The best stadium cup designs are bold, high-contrast, and readable from 3–6 feet away.

Event lighting, motion, condensation, and stacked cups all reduce legibility so simplify.

What works best:

• Large logo mark + short tagline
• Event name + date (if it’s a recurring event)
• QR code only if it’s large enough and not wrapped over a seam
• 1–2 ink colors if you want maximum clarity (full color is fine if your art is clean and bold)

Stadium cup design placement tips

Put the “primary message” where it’s visible when the cup is in someone’s hand, not only when it’s sitting on a table.

• Front-centered print: best for brand recognition in photos
• Wraparound print: best when your logo is simple and you want more coverage
• Two-sided approach: logo on one side, event/URL/hashtag on the other

Common mistakes that create “junk” content or weak conversions

Avoid these mistakes because they reduce topical authority and reduce buyer trust.

1. Writing a “sizes” page without giving a clear default choice (always name the best default size).
2. Listing sizes with no use-case mapping (sizes matter only when tied to drink type + event flow).
3. Ignoring ice (ice changes real capacity and guest satisfaction).
4. Overloading the design section with fluff instead of readability rules.
5. Not linking out to the correct category alternatives (paper/foam/frosted/sample).

FAQs: Stadium cup sizes & ordering

What is the most popular stadium cup size?

16 oz is the most common “safe default” because it works for water, soda, and cocktails with ice.

Is 22 oz better than 16 oz for bars?

Yes 22 oz usually performs better for bars and breweries because guests expect a bigger pour and refills.

When should I choose 32 oz stadium cups?

Choose 32 oz when refills are expected and you want the cup to feel like a souvenir (festivals, outdoor events, tailgates).

Are stadium cups better than standard plastic cups?

They’re better when you want durability and reuse; standard plastic cups can be better when you need broader size variety.

Should I use stadium cups for sampling?

Only if the sample is a “full drink.” For small pours, sample cups are more efficient and lower waste.

What if I want a more premium-looking plastic cup?

Use frosted plastic cups when the visual style matters (events, parties, upscale promos).

How many cups do I need for 100 guests?

A practical range is 150–300 cups depending on refills and service style (1.5–3 per guest). Add 10–15% extra.

What size is best for corporate brand awareness events?

16 oz is the best default for corporate events because it fits water and soft drinks and stays comfortable in-hand.