The Super Bowl is one of the largest shared media events in the United States. Nielsen estimated 125.6 million viewers for the February 2026 game. You don't need a multimillion-dollar TV spot to take part: a well-timed sweepstakes or contest can tie your brand to game day at a much lower cost.
The next game is Sunday, February 14, 2027 (the NFL's championship game falls on the second Sunday in February), which is also Valentine's Day. This guide covers promotion formats for brands of all sizes, with timing, prize strategies, and compliance considerations for sports-adjacent campaigns.
Game Day Prediction Contest
Ask participants to predict game outcomes: final score, MVP, first touchdown scorer, total points, coin toss result. This format keeps people engaged before and during the game because they have a personal stake in the outcome. Keep it free to enter.
| Prediction type | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Winner pick | Easy (50/50) | Broadest audience, highest participation |
| Final score | Hard | Sports fans, smaller but more engaged audience |
| First touchdown scorer | Medium | Good balance of accessibility and engagement |
| Total combined points (over/under) | Medium | Appeals to both casual and serious fans |
| Multi-question bracket | Varies | Multiple predictions keep participants following the whole game |
Keep prediction and squares games free
Game outcomes are outside entrants' control, so treat prediction games, squares, and similar formats as chance-based, even when correct picks decide the winner. Chance plus a prize plus consideration is a lottery, so entry must be free: no purchase, fee, or paid upgrade for picks. Publish official rules that explain how winners and tie-breakers are decided, and if any entry path involves a purchase, offer a free method with equal odds.
Watch Party Sweepstakes
Give away a watch party package: big-screen TV, sound bar, snack spread, team merchandise, or catering credit. This prize fits what your audience is already planning to do.
- Smaller prize: Snack bundle, football-themed merch, gift card for pizza delivery
- Mid-size prize: TV upgrade, sound bar, premium snack box, team gear
- Larger prize: Full home entertainment setup, catering package, branded merchandise collection
A winner who receives $2,000 or more in prizes in a calendar year gets a 1099-MISC (see sweepstakes tax reporting). If total prizes are more than $5,000, New York and Florida require registration before the start date.
You can't say 'Super Bowl' in your promotion
"Super Bowl" is a registered trademark of the NFL. Unless you have an official licensing agreement, use alternatives: "The Big Game," "Game Day," "Championship Sunday," or "Football's Biggest Night." Using the trademarked term without authorization can result in cease-and-desist action. This applies to your official rules, landing pages, social posts, and all promotional materials.
Halftime Flash Giveaway
Run a time-limited giveaway during halftime. Announce it at the start of halftime, close entries about 20 minutes later, and draw a potential winner once entries close. State the exact entry window and time zone in your official rules.
- Why it works: Many viewers have a break from the action, and the short window creates urgency.
- Entry mechanic: Keep it simple: a short web form (name and email) linked from your posts, emails, or a QR code. Revup doesn't import social comments or hashtags as entries.
- Promotion: Pre-announce the halftime giveaway in the days before the game. "Be ready at halftime" creates anticipation.
- Prize: Something you can deliver quickly after verifying eligibility, such as a digital gift card or discount code, or use an instant win reveal.
Revup
Revup helps you configure entry forms, eligibility settings, and official-rules templates. Review the rules and handle registration and compliance obligations for your campaign.
Commercial Bingo / Ad Prediction Game
Create a bingo card or prediction sheet based on Super Bowl commercials: "celebrity cameo," "talking animal," "emotional montage," "car on a mountain." Participants fill out their cards before the game, and winners are those who correctly predicted the most ad tropes. Like game predictions, this is chance-based, so keep it free to enter.
- Engagement: The format gives participants a reason to pay attention to the commercials.
- Sharing: Participants may screenshot and post their cards. Don't reward shares, tags, or reposts on Facebook, which Meta's promotion rules bar.
- Low cost: The bingo card itself is the content, so the prize can be modest.
Food and Beverage Game Day Promotion
A good fit for CPG, restaurant, and food delivery brands. Tie your promotion to the game day snacking occasion.
| Format | Mechanic | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase sweepstakes | Buy product → enter code → win | Buy any [brand] chips, enter code for a chance to win |
| Recipe contest | Submit game day recipe → judging | Best game day snack recipe wins a year of free product |
| Instant win | Scan QR on packaging → instant prize | Win a free appetizer or delivery credit, with the same odds for free plays |
| Photo contest | Upload a photo of your spread → judging | Best game day spread wins a $500 grocery gift card |
Purchase sweepstakes require a free entry option
If entry requires a product purchase, you must provide a free alternative method of entry (AMOE) with equal odds, the same drawing, and the same prizes. A mail-in entry or web form works, and free entrants can never be capped below buyers. Disclose the free method prominently, not in fine print. Alcohol brands: California bans alcohol as a sweepstakes prize and entries from alcohol purchases, and entrants must be 21 or older.
For complete details, see the AMOE guide and how to run a purchase sweepstakes.
Super Bowl Sweepstakes Timeline
| When | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November | Finalize campaign concept | Choose format, secure prizes and partners |
| Early December | Draft official rules | Avoid NFL trademarks — use 'Big Game' language throughout |
| By late December | File state registrations | Only if total prizes are more than $5,000: New York 30 days and Florida 7 days before a January 31 start |
| Mid-January | Build entry experience | Landing pages, prediction forms, social assets |
| January 31 | Launch pre-game campaign | 2 weeks before the game — build anticipation |
| Game day (Sunday, February 14, 2027) | Peak engagement | Halftime flash giveaway, real-time social engagement |
| After entries close | Winner selection and announcement | Draw winners, verify eligibility, then announce and notify |
| February–March | Post-campaign fulfillment | Prize delivery, W-9s, any winner lists your filings require, follow-up to entrants who opted in |
For filing thresholds and deadlines, see sweepstakes registration and bonding requirements and the sweepstakes law map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use "Super Bowl" in my sweepstakes?
Only if you have an official NFL licensing agreement. For everyone else, use alternatives: "The Big Game," "Game Day," "Championship Sunday," or "Football's Biggest Night." This restriction applies to all promotional materials, official rules, and social media posts.
Is a prediction contest considered gambling?
Not if entry is free. Because game outcomes are outside entrants' control, treat a prediction or squares game as chance-based. If entrants pay to play, it can become an illegal lottery or unlicensed sports betting. Never require a purchase or fee to submit predictions.
When should I launch a Super Bowl promotion?
Around 2 weeks before the game, which gives you time to build anticipation and collect entries. The game falls on the second Sunday in February: February 14, 2027. If total prizes are more than $5,000, file in New York at least 30 days and in Florida at least 7 days before your start date.
What's the best Super Bowl prize under $500?
A watch party package (snack bundle, branded merchandise, and a delivery gift card) feels more event-specific than a generic gift card. Test it against your usual prizes. For more ideas, see sweepstakes prize ideas.
See more event-based campaigns in the Seasonal Promotion Calendar. In 2027 the game falls on Valentine's Day, so if you're planning both, see Valentine's Day Sweepstakes Ideas.
