Sure, everyone loves winning cash or a free vacation. But sometimes, sweepstakes get a little… strange. From lifetime supplies of cheese to having your face turned into an action figure, some of the most unexpected sweepstakes prizes out there are proof that anything really can be up for grabs.
Here are seven of the weirdest—but totally real—prizes that people have actually won from sweepstakes.
Lifetime Supply of Cheese
One lucky winner of a Cabot Creamery sweepstakes walked away with a “lifetime supply of cheese.” Translation? A 20-pound cheese delivery every quarter for life. Hope they had enough fridge space.
What made it weird:
It was delivered in a mini cheese fridge. Functional and delicious.
Be a Zombie in a TV Show
AMC once ran a sweepstakes where the winner got to appear as a zombie in The Walking Dead. Full makeup, fake blood, the works. You didn’t just win a trip—you became undead for a day.
What made it cool:
You got to keep your prosthetic face afterward. Now that’s a keepsake.
A Custom Coffin
One sweepstakes from a horror-themed movie studio offered the winner a hand-built, personalized coffin. No joke. It was engraved with their name and even included storage instructions.
Why it happened:
It was part of a Halloween promo. Morbid? Maybe. Memorable? Absolutely.
Your Face on an Action Figure
Hasbro once ran a contest where winners had their face 3D scanned and turned into a custom superhero action figure. Talk about taking “mini me” to the next level.
What you got:
Your own Marvel figure—complete with your actual face molded onto the body of Iron Man, Spider-Man, or Black Panther.
A Year’s Supply of Mustard
French’s Mustard gave away a year’s worth of mustard… which ended up being over 30 bottles shipped at once. Perfect for hot dog lovers. Or not-so-perfect for anyone else.
Weird detail:
They included a “mustard pairing guide” for unusual combos—mustard and popcorn, anyone?
Private Jet to Taco Bell
Yup—Taco Bell once gave away a private jet trip to one of its restaurants. The winner was flown out, fed tacos in style, and brought back home in the same day.
Why it was weird:
It was a random Taco Bell in the middle of nowhere—not a flagship or special location.
Naming Rights to a Racehorse
As part of a Kentucky Derby promo, a sweepstakes winner got to name an actual racehorse. The only catch? The name had to meet racing regulations. The winner went with “Hoof Hearted.” (Say it out loud.)
Fun fact:
The name passed all the racing rules—and the announcer had a field day with it on race day.
Why Weird Prizes Work
Brands get creative to stand out, and sometimes, that means giving away something memorable, funny, or downright odd. These types of sweepstakes generate buzz and are often easier to win since they attract less competition than big-money contests.
Would You Enter for a Weird Prize?
If you’re into collecting unique experiences—or just want a good story—keep an eye out for offbeat sweepstakes. You might not win $10,000, but you could walk away with a jet ride for tacos or a lifetime’s worth of condiments.
Tips for Weird Prize Lovers:
Follow brand social accounts – Weird prizes are often launched through Instagram or Twitter.
Check seasonal contests – Halloween and April Fool’s promotions tend to go off-script.
Read the fine print – Odd prizes often have quirky terms, like shipping limits or redemption schedules.
Wrap-Up: It’s Not Always About the Money
The best part about sweepstakes? You never know what you might win. Sure, cash is king—but some of the most unforgettable prizes are the weirdest ones. Whether it’s mustard for days or your face on an action figure, sometimes the strange stuff makes the best story.
Would you accept a coffin, a year of cheese, or a zombie role? You might be surprised what you’d say yes to when it shows up in your inbox.
