New Year tambola fills the long evening before midnight with a game that everyone can play. Print up to 600 unique New Year tambola tickets in midnight navy with a gold star on every one, then call the numbers and give prizes such as the Fireworks Line, the Confetti Line and the Happy New Year Full House. The pack has a caller sheet, a prize list and a rules page, and you can play it live on phones.
New year tambola to print (PDF)
These four pages show a New Year tambola set: a page of tickets titled “New Year Countdown”, the 1 to 90 caller sheet, the prize list with the party prize names and the one-page rules. Click a picture for the PDF, or use the generator at the top of the page to change the title, the date, the paper size and the number of tickets.
What is in the New Year tambola pack
Everything below is made in your browser, and nothing you type is uploaded. Put the host’s name or the year in the title box.
| Page | What you get | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tickets | Real strips of six: each strip uses every number from 1 to 90 exactly once | Up to 600 tickets, midnight navy with a star motif and gold trim, with your title and the host name on every ticket |
| Caller sheet | A 1 to 90 grid to cross off as you call | Keep it to check every winning claim |
| Prize list | The six New Year prizes, from Countdown Five to Happy New Year Full House | Space to write each prize and the winning ticket number |
| Rules page | A one-page script to read out before the first number | Covers claims and what happens after a wrong one |
New Year tambola prizes and what they mean
The New Year theme names each prize after something at midnight, so reading the list out loud starts the countdown mood. Here is what each prize means and how to win it:
| Prize | How to win | New Year link |
|---|---|---|
| Countdown Five | Early Five: the first five numbers marked on a ticket | Five, four, three, two, one: the countdown begins |
| Fireworks Line | Top Line: all five numbers on the top row | Fireworks go to the top of the sky at midnight |
| Confetti Line | Middle Line: all five numbers on the middle row | Confetti fills the middle of the room |
| Midnight Line | Bottom Line: all five numbers on the bottom row | The last line before the clock strikes twelve |
| Four Sparklers | Corners: the first and last number of the top and bottom rows | A sparkler for each corner of the ticket |
| Happy New Year Full House | Full House: all fifteen numbers marked | The big prize, to be won as the year changes |
Number calls for your New Year tambola
A New Year party has numbers built in: the date, the hour, the weeks and the months. These calls make every number part of the countdown:
| Number | Call it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First of January | The first day of the new year |
| 7 | Nineteen oh seven | The year the first ball drop took place at Times Square in New York |
| 10 | Ten, nine, eight… | The countdown that starts ten seconds before midnight |
| 12 | Twelve o’clock | Midnight, and also the twelve months of the year |
| 24 | Twenty-four hours | A day, and the length of the party if you are very brave |
| 31 | Thirty-first of December | The last day of the old year |
| 52 | Fifty-two weeks | The weeks in a year |
| 90 | Top of the shop | The last number on the board, and the last of the old year |
How long does a New Year tambola game last?
A New Year tambola should fit before the countdown, so it helps to know how long a game runs. The table shows when each prize is usually won and how many minutes the whole game takes at the default speed of 10 seconds a call.
| Tickets | Typical crowd | Early Five | First full line | Full House | Time at 10 s a call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 tickets | a family New Year’s Eve | call 14 (12 to 17) | call 43 (36 to 49) | call 76 (71 to 78) | 13 min |
| 30 tickets | a friends’ house party | call 12 (10 to 14) | call 36 (31 to 41) | call 72 (69 to 75) | 12 min |
| 60 tickets | a club or society party | call 11 (9 to 12) | call 31 (26 to 36) | call 69 (66 to 72) | 12 min |
| 120 tickets | a hall or resort event | call 10 (9 to 11) | call 28 (24 to 31) | call 66 (63 to 69) | 11 min |
The numbers come from real simulations of this generator: 300 games for each ticket count, with the typical call number and the middle half of results in brackets. More tickets mean the first prizes arrive sooner, but with 12 to 120 tickets the Full House still comes around call 66 to 76, because someone must complete all fifteen numbers. Start the game at 11 pm if you want the Full House to land close to midnight, and choose a speed that finishes the game with a few minutes to spare.
New Year party games for the hours before midnight
New Year party games have to keep guests entertained for hours and still leave room for the countdown. Tambola does both: it fills the time, it needs no teams and it can end with a prize at the stroke of twelve. Play one game after dinner and another later, and the party never has a dull moment.
New Year Eve tambola: a countdown plan
For a New Year Eve tambola, plan the game backwards from midnight. The Full House should come within a few minutes of twelve, so start about 20 minutes before at the default speed. If the game ends early, play the countdown calls, and if it runs late, stop at midnight and give the remaining prizes to the first guest to reach the next line.
New Year housie for families and neighbors
New Year housie is a favorite of apartment complexes and clubs, where the whole group meets for dinner and games. The housie tickets, the caller sheet and the prize list can be reused for a second game on New Year’s Day. For the history of the celebration, see Wikipedia’s New Year’s Eve article.
31st December party games for all ages
For 31st December party games, mix tambola with a few short activities: a game of resolutions, where each guest writes one on a slip of paper, a photo booth with props and a countdown with sparklers. The tradition of making resolutions is very old and is often traced back to ancient Babylon, about 4,000 years ago.
How to run a New Year tambola in six steps
- A week before: decide the prizes and choose a start time that lets the Full House land close to midnight.
- Print: type the host’s name and the year into the title box and print the tickets, the caller sheet and the prize list.
- At the party: give each guest a ticket and a pen, or a few pieces of confetti as markers.
- Before the first number: read the prize list and tell the guests the game will end close to midnight.
- During the game: call a number every 10 seconds and read the countdown calls near the end.
- At midnight: stop the game, count down together and hand out the remaining prizes after the toast.
Prize ideas for a New Year tambola
- A pack of party poppers for the Countdown Five
- A string of fairy lights or a sparkler pack for the Fireworks Line
- A box of chocolates for the Confetti Line
- A desk diary or a planner for the Midnight Line
- A bigger gift, such as a hamper or a gift card, for the Happy New Year Full House
Type any of these into the “Extra fun prizes” box and they print on the prize list:
- First of January: the first guest to mark the number 1
- Twelve Strikes: the first to mark the number 12
- Thirty-One: the first to mark the number 31
- Resolution: a bonus prize for the best resolution, no ticket needed
Host tips for a smooth game
- Set a clock or a timer so the game does not overrun the countdown.
- Keep a second set of tickets ready for a game on New Year’s Day.
- Use confetti or sequins as markers, and clean up afterwards.
- Play soft music during the game and turn it up for each prize.
Wikipedia’s New Year’s Eve article describes the customs of the evening in different countries.
Play New Year tambola live on phones
Press Create game in the live game below, share the link and every guest opens a different e-ticket on their phone. Numbers are called automatically at the speed you choose, read aloud in English or Hindi if you like, and you can check any winning claim by ticket number. No app and no sign-up. It lets friends in other time zones play along and count down together.
New year tambola: frequently asked questions
What are good New Year party games for a big group?
Tambola, a resolutions game and a photo booth are easy to run. Tambola is a good first game because it needs no teams and takes about 15 minutes.
How long should New Year tambola take?
About 10 to 15 minutes for the full game at 10 seconds a call. Plan the start so that the Full House lands near midnight.
Can I use the same tickets for Christmas?
Yes. Change the title to “Merry Christmas” and the date, or use the dedicated Christmas tambola theme.
How many tickets can I print?
From 1 to 600 in one go, with 3, 6, 8 or 12 tickets per page. Press New tickets for a completely different set, and choose Letter or A4 paper, in color or black and white.
Are the new year tambola tickets free?
Yes. The tickets, caller sheet, prize list, rules page and live game are all free for home, club and classroom use, with no sign-up.