Custom Stadium Cups vs Foam Cups: Which Is Better for Your Event?

Choose custom stadium cups if you need a reusable-feel cup that accommodates large crowds and provides brand visibility. Choose custom foam cups if you need insulation for cold drinks and a comfy hand feel. Stadium cups usually dominate in durability + “keeps” behavior, whereas foam cups usually win for cold retention + tailgate/beverage comfort.

Shop stadium cups:

Shop foam cups:

Quick decision table

Stadium Cup

Stadium cup is a branded, reusable plastic cup that is perfect for large events where durability and visibility is key. Stadium cups are limited to:

sporting events, school and team pep rallies; large community and school event fundraisers where the cup doubles as merchandise; large festivals and parades; and foam cup,

Foam Cup

Foam cup is a lightweight cup designed to keep cold drinks colder and reduce condensation on hands. Foam cups are commonly chosen for:

Volume Cups for Events

Whether it's a school event, outdoor sports event, or a festival, (and everything in between), there are a few reasons why the type of cup you choose to print on is important to the buyers and the end users.

When to choose stadium cups

A foam cup is a lightweight cup designed to keep cold drinks colder and reduce condensation on hands.

Foam cups are commonly chosen for:

• tailgates and outdoor sports events
• concession stands and high-ice beverages
• bars or drink stations where comfort matters

When to choose foam cups

Choose custom stadium cups when your priority is a reusable-feel cup that people keep and reuse.

Best-fit scenarios:

• school spirit events and booster clubs
• festivals and walk-around crowds
• fundraisers where the cup doubles as a takeaway item

Best print approach for stadium cups: bold logo + short text that reads from 6–10 feet.

Size selection logic (avoid guessing)

Choose your cup size based on your actual purchase history:

• 12 oz: kid drinks, short pours, and samples
• 16 oz: This fits most and works as the best default option for most occasions.
• 20–22 oz: perfect for outdoor events, tailgating, and those who need to refill.
• 32 oz: For tournaments, and crowds focused on hydration.

If you’re short on time and need to choose cup sizes: 16 oz is the best for most occasions, and 20-22 oz is best for tailgating or festivals.

Quantity planning (simple and accurate)

If cups are meant to be kept, plan 1 per guest; if refills are heavy, plan 2 per guest.

• Keeps model (stadium cups): 1 per guest + 5–10% extra
• Heavy refills (foam cups): 2 per guest + 10–15% extra
• Add buffer if you have: multiple bars, long event duration, or lots of ice drinks

Avoiding bad prints

Rule 1: “Curved surfaces kill tiny text.”

Good for printing:

• one main logo
• short text
• thick outlines

Rule 2: Pair vintage/pregame themes with stadium cups, and specific themes with foam cups.

• Stadium cups: vintage, pregames, and bold designs.
• Foam cups: specific themes, with a vintage or clean design.

Rule 3: Avoid clutter blocks.

A simple design is more likely to lead to higher profits than a crowded design.

Alternative Solutions

If buyers are still unsure, offer them possible Alternatives:

• Disposables
• Premium Party Look
• Eco+Disposable

Mistakes

Some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Picking busy designs with small text that will lead to areadability issues on the curves.
• Leading to small sizes for events where there are expectations of multiple refills.
• Not using the right amount of high contrast colors, especially on foam.
• Thinking that foam cups are supposed to create a ‘high-class’ vibe, they usually are a performance choice.
• Making comparisons of cups, but forgetting to add a link for each of the two money pages (authority flow lost).

FAQs

What is better for tailgates?

Foam cups are usually better for tailgates because they help keep cold drinks colder and are comfortable to hold outdoors.

What is better for school events and spirit nights?

Foam cups are usually better for schools because they have a reusable feel. People keep them as “spirit merch.”

Which prints better: stadium cups or foam cups?

Foam cups usually perform better with design, as they tend to have simplicity in mind, with high contrast and low text.

Which cups should I use if I want people to take cups home?

Stadium cups feel more like a 'keep-sake' than foam cups because they feel more sturdy and reusable.

Can I use both at the same event?

Yes use foam cups at the drink stations for cold drinks and stadium cups for the keepsake/VIP cups.