Fun custom football contest ideas to engage your audience

To many, football is more than a sport- it’s a lifestyle. Avid fans say they spend 32 hours a week watching games and tracking statistics. How are you going to reach these fans? One of the best ways to capture their attention is by running a pro football contest and complementing it with an exciting custom contest.

We’ve already looked at best practices for running a pro football contest, now let’s unravel why a custom contest centered around football is important to your contesting strategy. For starters, custom contests tap into the passion of your local fans. People love to brag about being a number one fan, their best tailgating recipe, knowledge of a team, or even their pet’s passion for the team.

Also, these contests can be spur of the moment. If your local team goes on a winning streak and suddenly there is an increased interest, a custom contest gives you the capabilities to jump on the opportunity and rally your community to cheer them to a championship.

But the best part about a custom football contest is they can be great revenue generators. Create a list of advertisers you want to target. Maybe it’s an advertiser that didn’t get to sponsor your pro football contest, or a national sponsor that you have been waiting for the right moment to approach. Whoever it is, sit down with your advertiser and brainstorm a custom contest that gets them excited.

In additional to creating a contest that you advertiser will love, build a promotional package that will show your advertiser the value in running a contest with you. Include promotional opportunities on-air, in print, online and in social media allowing your outlet to use every vehicle at your disposal to give the contest and the advertiser visibility.

Let’s take a look at a few custom football contests.

The Statesboro Herald
Contest: “We are the Eagle Nation” Best Tailgate Photo Submission Contest
Sponsors: The University Store and Retriever’s Sports Bar & Grill
Prize: Highly coveted away game tickets, an ultimate tailgate prize package, gift certificates to local bar & grill

The Journal Sentinel
Contest: “Pack Nation” Photo Submission Sweepstakes
Sponsors: Boston Store, Miller Lite, TMJ4 and The Green Bay Packers
Prize: Sent a winner to each playoff game, the grand prize included a Super Bowl prize pack for two!

WEZB-FM
Contest: “My Pet Rox the Black and Gold” Pet Photo Contest
Sponsors: Toyota of Slidell, Lakeside Pets, Camp Bow Wow, Lakeside Shopping Center
Prize: Four tickets to a Saints game and gift certificates from each sponsor

Other Great Custom Contest Ideas

• Custom Football Pickem (High School or College)
• Fan Fanatic
• Team Trivia
• Rivalry
• Ticket Giveaways
• Ultimate Tailgate
• Recipe
• School Spirit
• Athlete of the Week/Month/ Year
• Pick your All-Star Team

Have you run a successful custom football contest? Tell us about it in the comments.