Not all sweepstakes prizes are predictable. Sure, you’ll find plenty of gift cards and gadgets — but every now and then, a brand breaks the mold with a prize that makes you say, “Wait… seriously?”
Here are 7 of the most outrageous, laugh-out-loud, or downright unforgettable sweepstakes prizes that people have actually won — and why they make this hobby even more fun.
1. A Giant Ham Sculpture
To promote a holiday campaign, a meat company gave away a life-sized ham statue made of fiberglass. It was painted to look ultra-realistic and meant to be a quirky centerpiece for backyard BBQs. Not edible — but definitely a conversation starter.
2. Rent Paid in Pizza
One pizza chain ran a sweepstakes where the winner got a year’s worth of rent — paid in monthly installments of pizza gift cards. Rent AND dinner, all rolled into one (with pepperoni on top).
3. A Private Island for a Weekend
Yes, this one was real. A luxury brand offered an all-expenses-paid stay on a tiny private island, complete with staff, meals, and a stocked mini bar. It was basically a mini celebrity lifestyle experience — without the tabloid drama.
4. Your Face on a Billboard (In Times Square)
As part of a social media sweepstakes, one lucky winner had their photo featured on a digital billboard in Times Square for an entire day. Bonus? They didn’t have to be famous — just lucky.
5. A Giant Slipper You Can Nap In
To promote a cozy homewear line, one company gave away a human-sized slipper — big enough to crawl inside and take a nap. Think bean bag meets bedtime shoe.
6. A “Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit”
Complete with fake blood, canned food, flashlights, and a crossbow replica, this horror-movie-themed prize was more fun than functional. Still, it made for a pretty epic unboxing moment.
7. A Personalized Ice Cream Flavor
The winner of this sweet sweep got to create their own custom flavor — name it, pick the ingredients, and have it sold in stores for a limited time. A cherry-on-top moment for any ice cream lover.
Why the Weird Prizes Work
Sure, you can always use another gift card. But strange, quirky prizes have a few major perks:
They go viral — more buzz = more brand visibility
They’re memorable — you’ll talk about it for years
They’re surprisingly fun — and great for showing off online
And hey, how many people can say they’ve won a zombie survival kit or slept inside a giant slipper?
Would You Enter for Something This Weird?
If the answer is “yes” (or even just “maybe”), then you’re exactly the kind of person who keeps the world of sweepstakes interesting.
Because at the end of the day, winning should be fun — and the weirder the prize, the better the story.
