The Super Bowl is the single largest shared media event in the United States — 115+ million viewers, concentrated in a single evening, actively engaged on second screens. For brands, this is a promotional window with unmatched attention density. You don't need a $7 million TV spot to participate. A well-timed sweepstakes or contest captures Super Bowl energy at a fraction of the cost.
This guide covers Super Bowl promotion formats that work 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 drives engagement before and during the game because participants have a personal stake in the outcome.
| 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 | Most engaging — multiple predictions increase investment |
Prediction contests are not gambling — if structured correctly
A prediction contest where entry is free and winners are determined by accuracy of predictions is a contest of skill, not a sweepstakes or lottery. However, if you charge to enter OR select winners randomly regardless of prediction accuracy, different rules apply. Never require payment to submit predictions. If you award prizes randomly among all participants (regardless of prediction accuracy), it's a sweepstakes and requires AMOE compliance.
Watch Party Sweepstakes
Give away a complete watch party package — big-screen TV, sound bar, snack spread, team merchandise, or catering credit. This prize aligns perfectly with what your audience is already planning to do.
- Budget option ($200–$500): Snack bundle, football-themed merch, gift card for pizza delivery
- Mid-range ($500–$2,000): TV upgrade, sound bar, premium snack box, team gear
- Premium ($2,000–$5,000): Full home entertainment setup, catering package, branded merchandise collection
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 — when social media activity peaks. Announce the giveaway at the start of halftime, close entries 20–30 minutes later, and draw a winner before the second half starts.
- Why it works: Everyone is on their phone during halftime. Attention is available and the compressed timeframe creates urgency.
- Entry mechanic: Keep it simple — email or social media entry only. No multi-step forms during a 20-minute window.
- Promotion: Pre-announce the halftime giveaway in the days before the game. "Be ready at halftime" creates anticipation.
- Prize: Something deliverable immediately — digital gift card, discount code, or instant win reveal.
Revup
Revup handles time-limited sweepstakes with automated entry windows, instant winner selection, and real-time compliance.
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.
- Engagement: This format keeps participants watching commercials instead of skipping them — which is the opposite of normal viewing behavior. Brands love this.
- Sharing: Bingo cards are inherently shareable. Participants screenshot and post their cards, generating organic reach.
- Low cost: The bingo card itself is the content. Prize can be modest because the game is the engagement driver.
Food and Beverage Game Day Promotion
Perfect 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 | 1 in 10 wins a free appetizer / delivery credit |
| Social photo | Post your spread with hashtag | Best game day spread wins $500 grocery gift card |
Purchase sweepstakes require a free entry option
If entry requires a product purchase, you must provide an equally accessible free Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE). A mail-in entry or web form satisfies this requirement. The AMOE must be prominently disclosed — not buried in fine print. See our purchase sweepstakes guide for complete compliance details.
Super Bowl Sweepstakes Timeline
| When | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| December | Finalize campaign concept | Choose format, secure prizes and partners |
| Early January | Draft official rules | Avoid NFL trademarks — use 'Big Game' language throughout |
| January 5–10 | File state registrations | NY 30-day requirement for early February launch |
| January 15–20 | Build entry experience | Landing pages, prediction forms, social assets |
| January 20–25 | Launch pre-game campaign | 2 weeks before the game — build anticipation |
| Game day (early February) | Peak engagement | Halftime flash giveaway, real-time social engagement |
| Day after game | Winner selection and announcement | Draw winners, announce on social, send winner emails |
| February | Post-campaign fulfillment | Prize delivery, state filings, email follow-up to all entrants |
Revup
Build your game day promotion in Revup — prediction contests, instant wins, and sweepstakes with automated compliance.
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. A prediction contest with no entry fee is a contest of skill (predicting outcomes requires knowledge). If you charge to enter, it may be classified as gambling depending on your state. Always offer free entry and never require payment to submit predictions.
When should I launch a Super Bowl promotion?
Launch 2 weeks before the game. This gives you time to build anticipation, collect entries, and run pre-game content. File state registrations by early January to meet the NY 30-day requirement. The game is typically the first or second Sunday in February.
What's the best Super Bowl prize under $500?
A watch party package — snack bundle, branded merchandise, and a delivery gift card — consistently outperforms generic gift cards. The bundle feels event-specific and creates a shareable unboxing moment. For more ideas, see sweepstakes prize ideas.
See more event-based campaigns in the Seasonal Promotion Calendar, or explore Valentine's Day Sweepstakes Ideas for the next major promotion window after the game.
