Kansas Citians love their barbecue and Philadelphia sports fans cheer their cheesesteaks, but both cities are favoring wings for Super Bowl LVII, according to the National Chicken Council’s (NCC) annual Chicken Wing Report.

Chicken wing consumption during the Super Bowl weekend is predicted to increase by 2% from last year, with a record of 1.45 billion wings.

NCC spokesperson Tom Super offered insight as to why chicken wings are the odds-on favorite.

“The two main reasons are more favorable prices and more people getting back to normal and gathering for the big game, whether at home or at a bar/restaurant,” he said. “While Americans are seeing inflation impact almost every part of their lives, both wholesale and retail wing prices are down double digits from a year ago, according to USDA, and consumers are seeing a lot more features and promotions.”

According to IRI OmniMarket Integrated Fresh, wing sales increased significantly in both dollars and volume the week ending 1/22/23 compared to the week ending 1/8/23. In Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Cincinnati markets, sales dollars jumped 11.5% and volume 13.5%.

“There are a lot of great story lines heading into the game,” Super added. “Andy Reid versus his old team. A battle of the Kelce brothers. Mahomes versus Hurts. But no Super Bowl storyline is hotter than wings.”