Most people enter sweepstakes hoping for cash, a vacation, or maybe the latest gadget. But sometimes, brands get a little…creative. From hilarious to downright bizarre, these oddball prizes prove that sweepstakes are full of surprises — and not always the kind you expect.
Here are 7 of the weirdest sweepstakes prizes real people have actually taken home.
1. A Lifetime Supply of Ketchup
In one famously odd giveaway, a condiment brand awarded a winner with a lifetime supply of ketchup. The prize? Over 1,000 bottles delivered to their door. Hope they liked fries.
2. Your Name on a Cow
Yes, an actual cow. A dairy company once ran a promotion where the grand prize winner got to name one of their cows — complete with a certificate, a photo, and “naming rights for life.” Talk about moo-ving up in the world.
3. A Golden Toilet Seat
A plumbing company hosted a giveaway for National Bathroom Reading Month (yep, that’s a thing) and gave away a real, 24k gold-plated toilet seat. Practical? Not really. But definitely unforgettable.
4. Personalized Horror Movie Death Scene
One horror streaming service offered winners a chance to be “killed off” in a fake horror movie scene — makeup, gore, screams, the whole deal. Winners got a custom video to share with friends and a mini acting credit to boot.
5. A Backyard Chicken Coop (Plus Chickens)
In a rural-themed sweepstakes, the grand prize was a full chicken coop setup — live hens included. Perfect for someone dreaming of farm life. Less ideal for someone in a city apartment.
6. An Inflatable Unicorn You Could Sleep In
To promote a new sleepwear line, a company gave away a massive, inflatable unicorn big enough to nap in. Not exactly carry-on size, but undeniably magical.
7. One Year of Pizza… Delivered by Limo
A pizza chain took the “free pizza for a year” idea and turned it up a notch. The winner got weekly pizzas delivered via limo — tuxedoed driver included. Dinner and a show.
Why the Weird Ones Work
Strange sweepstakes prizes aren’t just for laughs (though they help). These unusual giveaways:
Grab attention and go viral
Create memorable brand experiences
Give fans something to talk about — and share
And hey, they make your prize shelf way more interesting.
Would You Enter for Something Strange?
Next time you see a sweepstakes offering something weird — a human-sized gummy bear, a mini fridge full of energy drinks, or a custom bobblehead — don’t scroll past. You just might win the prize nobody else knew they wanted… but everyone will want to hear about.