What is a sweepstake?
A sweepstake is a simple, low-effort competition where each participant is randomly assigned one
of the 48 competing nations. You don't pick your team - you draw it from a hat. Whether you end
up with Brazil or Curaçao is pure luck, which is exactly what makes it fun.
Everyone pays a small entry fee into a shared pot, and prizes are paid out based on how far each
participant's team progresses in the tournament.
How to run your sweepstake
- Decide your entry fee and prize structure before you invite anyone. Having clear rules upfront avoids disputes later.
- Send the invite email (template below) to your group. Set a firm deadline for entries, ideally before the tournament starts on 11 June.
- Collect all entry fees before the draw. Chasing payment after people know their team is much harder.
- Print the draw slips (included in this kit), cut them out, and fold them so the team name is hidden.
-
If you have fewer than 48 entrants, decide in advance how to handle the remaining slips.
Options: give each person multiple teams, or simply remove the excess slips before drawing.
- Place the folded slips in a hat, bowl, or bag. Each participant draws one at random.
- Record who drew which team in the tracker spreadsheet (also included in this kit), along with contact details and payment status.
- Pay out prizes as teams are eliminated or the tournament concludes. The final is on 19 July 2026.
Sample invite email
Copy and edit the text below. Items in bold blue need to be filled in.
To: Your group, team, or office
Subject: World Cup 2026 Sweepstake - are you in?
Hi all,
I'm running a World Cup 2026 sweepstake and wanted to give everyone the chance to get involved.
Entry fee: [£1 / £2 - your choice]
Draw date: [date and time]
Entry deadline: [date - suggest before 11 June]
How it works: each person draws a team at random from all 48 nations competing this summer. The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026. Prizes will be paid out based on how far your team goes.
Prize structure:
[e.g. 60% to the winner, 20% to runner-up, 10% each to the two semi-finalists]
[Optional: add bonus prizes - see the guide for ideas]
To enter, [reply to this email / speak to me directly] and have your entry fee ready by [deadline date].
Good luck - you might just draw the winner!
[Your name]
Tip: send a reminder a few days before the deadline. People always leave it late.
Suggested prize structures
Option 1 - Winner takes all
Simple to manage but kills engagement for most participants once their team is knocked out. Not recommended for larger groups.
Option 2 - Tiered pot (recommended)
Keeps multiple people invested right to the final whistle.
60%Tournament winner
20%Runner-up
10%Semi-finalist (split between the two)
10%Organiser's discretion / bonus pot
Option 3 - Tiered pot with bonus prizes
The best option for keeping everyone engaged throughout, including those who drew an
outside team. Use the tiered pot above for the main prizes, then add any of these:
- Group stage topper - small fixed prize (e.g. entry fee back) if your team wins their group. Relevant for the first two weeks of the tournament.
- Golden goal - whoever's team scores the very first goal of the tournament wins a side pot. Pure luck, equal chance for everyone regardless of draw quality.
- Wooden spoon - small prize for the participant whose team is eliminated earliest. Turns a bad draw into something worth cheering for.
- Top scorer's team - separate side pot for whoever's team produces the tournament's top scorer or most goals in the group stage.
Why bonus prizes matter: With 48 teams, roughly 28 of them are Wildcards with
little realistic chance of winning the tournament. Bonus prizes give those participants genuine
reasons to stay engaged - and make the sweepstake more fun for everyone.