Archive · Frozen 2026-08-31
The legacy edition
Our launch edition, published August 31, 2026, ranked fifteen no-purchase sweepstakes: fourteen legacy programs and one mobile app. The same day, we re-scoped the site to rank sweepstakes apps exclusively. The legacy research was fact-checked and remains useful, so it lives here, frozen as researched, with every review still published.
Two things to know before you use this list. First, it is an archive: scores and grades are as of August 31, 2026, seasonal windows have kept closing since, and we no longer maintain these listings on the same schedule as the app ranking. Open each program's current official rules before entering. Second, Chance Infinite held rank 4 of this edition; it moved to the app ranking, where it is scored on the same rubric. The remaining fourteen keep their published rank numbers below. The full deduction ledger for every legacy listing is preserved on the grade rationale page, and the pivot note explains the re-scope.
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Legacy 01 · Score 86 · Grade A · HGTV / Warner Bros. Discovery
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway
A seasonal house, a cash rider, and official rules that itemize the prize instead of waving at it.
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Legacy 02 · Score 83 · Grade A- · HGTV / Warner Bros. Discovery
HGTV Smart Home Sweepstakes
Same family of rules as Dream Home, different season, 2026 window closed.
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Legacy 03 · Score 81 · Grade A- · AARP
AARP Rewards Sweepstakes
A nonprofit sweepstakes desk that says the quiet part on the hub page: no purchase or points necessary.
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Legacy 04 · moved to the app ranking
Chance Infinite
The one mobile app of the launch edition, published by this site's owner. Now rank 1 of the apps-only list, same rubric, same public deductions.
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Legacy 05 · Score 73 · Grade C+ · Publishers Clearing House
Publishers Clearing House (web program)
The prize patrol is real. So is the merchandise pitch. Enter free; do not pay anyone who calls. PCH's two apps are now scored separately on the app ranking.
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Legacy 06 · Score 70 · Grade B+ · IKEA
IKEA Family Sweepstakes
Join for free, then wait for a promotion that actually exists.
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Legacy 07 · Score 69 · Grade B+ · Food Network Magazine / Hearst
Food Network Magazine Cookbook Giveaway
Twenty books, email AMOE, rules on the page. Small on purpose.
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Legacy 08 · Score 69 · Grade B+ · Hallmark Gold Crown / Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Christmas Experience Sweepstakes
Free to enter if you already have (or will open) a Hallmark rewards account. The card-receipt path is optional.
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Legacy 09 · Score 68 · Grade B+ · Utz
Utz United Snacks of Summer Sweepstakes
Skip the video. The rules say the form or a stamped envelope is enough.
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Legacy 10 · Score 67 · Grade C+ · Reader's Digest / Trusted Media Brands
Reader's Digest Sweepstakes
NPN language is solid. The current U.S. calendar is a pile of separate promotions.
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Legacy 11 · Score 67 · Grade B+ · Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola America250 Win the Weekend
No purchase necessary, if you live in the right ZIP for the prize you actually want.
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Legacy 12 · Score 66 · Grade B · PEOPLE / People Inc.
PEOPLE Magazine Sweepstakes
Short promotions, NPN on the page, sometimes behind a free app account.
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Legacy 13 · Score 65 · Grade B · Hallmark Channel / Hallmark Media
Hallmark Channel Christmas in July Sweepstakes
The rules are complete. The window is not. Base entry was a free form.
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Legacy 14 · Score 63 · Grade B · Taste of Home / Trusted Media Brands
Taste of Home Reader Survey Sweepstakes
Rules first, window later. Five cookbooks and an email AMOE.
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Legacy 15 · Score 61 · Grade B- · QVC
QVC Sweepstakes
No purchase necessary, if you can hear the word.