Top Party Board Games for Large Groups in 2025

When you're hosting a party or gathering with a large group of fun-loving friends, finding the right board game can be a challenge. Many popular board games are designed for smaller groups, but fear not—game designers have crafted a variety of engaging tabletop experiences that can entertain 10 or more players, ensuring everyone gets in on the fun.

For your next gathering in 2025, consider these top party board games that promise laughter and enjoyment for large groups. If you're looking for options suitable for all ages, don't forget to check out our list of the best family board games.

TL;DR: The Best Party Board Games

• Link City (2-6 players)
• Caution Signs (3-9 players)
• Ready Set Bet (2-9 players)
• Challengers! (1-8 players)
• That's Not a Hat (3-8 players)
• Wits and Wagers: Party (4-18 players)
• Codenames (2-8 players)
• Time's Up – Title Recall (3+ players)
• The Resistance: Avalon (5-10 players)
• Telestrations (4-8 players)
• Dixit Odyssey (3-12 players)
• Wavelength (2-12 players)
• One Night Ultimate Werewolf (4-10 players)
• Monikers (4-20 players)
• Decrypto (3-8 players)

Link City

Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City is a unique cooperative party game where you and your friends work together to build the most bizarre town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor and secretly decides where three randomly-drawn location tiles should be placed. The rest of the group then tries to guess the mayor's choices based on the tiles shown. Points are awarded for correct guesses, but the real joy comes from the hilarious combinations you'll create, like placing an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Players: 3-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Inspired by the quirky world of roadside warning signs, Caution Signs challenges players to draw signs based on cards featuring odd combinations of nouns and verbs, like "rolling rabbits" or "pretty crocodiles." One player acts as the guesser, trying to decipher the signs created by the others. The game's humor lies in the wild pairings and the amusing, often inaccurate guesses that ensue.

Ready Set Bet

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet is an exciting horse-racing game where the thrill comes from placing bets early for bigger payouts. The race unfolds in real-time, managed by either a game master or an app, and is driven by dice odds. Players must quickly decide where to place their chips on individual horses or color groups, aiming for various race positions. The game's excitement is heightened by prop bets and exotic finish bets, ensuring a lively, engaging atmosphere filled with cheers and groans.

Challengers!

Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Challengers! stands out as a novel party game, earning the prestigious 2023 Kennerspiel award for its innovative take on auto-battler gameplay. Players buy cards to build their deck, then engage in head-to-head battles where they flip cards and keep the winners. It's fast-paced, addictive, and strategic, offering both thrilling matchups and light-hearted fun for all participants.

That's Not A Hat

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

Blending bluffing and memory, That's Not A Hat is a quick and engaging party game. Players start with face-up cards showing everyday objects, then flip them face down and pass them around the table, stating what they think each card is. The challenge is to remember the cards without flipping them, with the added twist of being called out for lying. It's a delightful mix of recollection and psychological guessing that promises plenty of laughs.

Wits and Wagers

Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes

Wits and Wagers is the perfect trivia game for those who aren't trivia buffs. Instead of answering questions yourself, you bet on the accuracy of your friends' answers. Whether it's guessing the number of Super Bowl rings Peyton Manning has won, you can rely on your football-enthusiast friend. It's accessible and fun, with different versions catering to various group sizes and difficulty levels.

Codenames

Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

In Codenames, players are split into teams, each led by a "spymaster" who provides clues to guide their team in selecting the correct codewords from a grid. The spymaster must be clever and quick, as poorly chosen clues can lead to amusing disputes. With numerous expansions and variations, Codenames offers endless replayability. Don't miss out on Codenames: Duet, a favorite for couples.

Time's Up – Title Recall

Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up combines elements of pop culture quizzes and charades into an engaging party game. Over three rounds, players give clues about movie, TV show, and song titles, starting with unrestricted hints, then moving to one-word clues, and finally to non-verbal pantomime. This progressive restriction creates hilarious associations and keeps the game fresh and exciting throughout.

The Resistance: Avalon

Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes

Set in King Arthur's court, The Resistance: Avalon is a thrilling game of bluffing and deception. Players receive secret roles, and loyal knights must complete quests while protecting Merlin, who knows the identities of all players but risks revealing themselves. With special roles and powers, the game fosters an atmosphere of escalating paranoia and excitement.

Telestrations

Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes

Telestrations is a delightful twist on the classic game of telephone, where players draw and guess phrases, passing their sketches around the table. The resulting chain of interpretations often leads to hilarious misunderstandings. For larger groups, consider the 12-player expansion or the adults-only After Dark version for added fun.

Dixit Odyssey

Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey builds on the storytelling magic of the original Dixit, which won the Spiel des Jahres in 2010. As the storyteller, you describe a card with a simple phrase, and other players choose cards from their hands that they believe match the description. The game balances creativity and strategy, with stunning artwork that sparks engaging discussions and brings out the storyteller in everyone.

Wavelength

Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes

Wavelength introduces a fresh take on guessing games by focusing on opinions rather than trivia. Players spin a dial to set a point between two extremes, such as "straight" and "curvy," and then give clues to guide their team to guess the correct position. It's a fun, subjective challenge that sparks lively conversation and is suitable for all ages.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced party game where players must identify the werewolves among them, unless they are werewolves themselves. With special abilities for each role, like the seer and troublemaker, the game thrives on player interaction and the ability to read others. It's a chaotic and engaging experience that often leads to lively discussions and, occasionally, strained friendships.

Monikers

Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers is a modern take on the classic game of Celebrity, where players act out quirky characters like Count Chocula or Drunk Jeff Goldblum. The game progresses through rounds with increasingly restrictive rules, from using words and gestures to one word, and finally, no speaking at all. It's a laugh-filled experience that fosters in-jokes and memorable moments.

Decrypto

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

In Decrypto, teams compete to crack numeric codes based on clues given by their encryptor. Each round, words are assigned to numbers, and the encryptor must guide their team to guess the correct sequence. The "interception" mechanic adds tension, as teams can try to guess their opponents' codes. It's a clever game that makes players feel like real spies.

What's the Difference Between a Party Game and a Board Game?

Not all board games are party games, and vice versa. Party games are designed for larger groups and focus on fun, lighthearted interaction, often without a traditional board. They are easy to learn and quick to play, encouraging activities like charades or trivia. Board games, on the other hand, typically cater to smaller groups and emphasize strategy, rules, and specific goals, such as reaching the end of a board or scoring points.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games with a large group can be challenging, but with some preparation, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Protect your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards, laminating player aids, and using generic pieces. Consider the space you have, as some games require a lot of table space, and think about the types of snacks that won't interfere with gameplay.

Choose simple, intuitive games that can be taught quickly, and be prepared to adapt to your guests' preferences. If the group becomes too large or unruly, consider splitting into smaller teams. Most importantly, be flexible and ready to switch games if your guests aren't enjoying the chosen ones.