The American Red Cross has launched a remarkable campaign offering American football fans the ultimate prize: a trip to the Super Bowl. In exchange for a potentially lifesaving donation of blood or platelets, supporters could find themselves heading to the championship game in Santa Clara, California.
How to Win the Ultimate NFL Experience
From January 1 to January 25, 2026, anyone who donates blood through the American Red Cross will be automatically entered into a lottery for an incredible package. The winner and a guest will receive tickets to Super Bowl LX, along with access to exclusive pregame activities inside the stadium and passes to the official Super Bowl Experience.
The prize also includes round-trip airfare, a three-night hotel stay, and a $1,000 gift card for expenses. This initiative, now in its seventh year, is a partnership between the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL), designed to boost donations during the challenging post-holiday period.
A Star Player's Personal Plea
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is the public face of this year's campaign. Barkley revealed his own limited history with donation, stating he had only given blood once during his college years until the Red Cross approached him.
"It was a no-brainer for me to give again," Barkley said. "It only takes about an hour and once you realise in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it's a beautiful thing." His involvement aims to personalise the appeal and break down barriers for first-time donors.
A Critical Time for Blood Supplies
The campaign coincides with National Blood Donation Month and addresses a pressing concern. The Red Cross has issued a warning over growing risks of shortages following the holiday season. Frigid December temperatures and treacherous weather conditions led to thousands of donations going uncollected.
Currently, the organisation is distributing blood to hospitals faster than donations are arriving. Without a significant boost, doctors may face difficult decisions regarding which patients receive transfusions and who must wait. The Red Cross notes that the single biggest reason people don't donate is that they are never asked.
Eligibility and How to Donate
To take part, potential donors can:
- Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.
- Visit RedCrossBlood.org.
- Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- Enable the Blood Donor Skill on an Alexa Echo device.
Donors must be in generally good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be 17 years old in most states (16 with parental consent where permitted). Those aged 18 and younger must meet additional height and weight requirements. A blood donor card, driver's licence, or two other forms of ID are required at check-in.
Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Donor Services at the American Red Cross, emphasised the campaign's dual purpose: "The start of the new year is a challenging time to collect blood, but it's also an opportunity to build lifesaving habits. Through our partnership with the NFL, we're turning ordinary acts of generosity into what we hope is a powerful tradition." To date, the Red Cross x NFL collaboration has motivated over 150,000 first-time blood donors to participate.
