Eurovision sweepstake: how to run one properly
Eurovision is one of the biggest shared TV events of the year. A sweepstake changes it from passive viewing into something genuinely competitive. Here is exactly how to run one.
Why a Eurovision sweepstake works
Offices, pubs, and group chats all tune in at the same time — but most people are only half invested. A sweepstake changes that completely.
Instead of passively watching, everyone has a country. Every vote matters. Every "douze points" becomes personal. Suddenly, the entire night becomes competitive, social, and far more engaging.
Most sweepstakes are still run using paper lists, WhatsApp messages, or basic spreadsheets. These break down quickly — duplicate entries, confusion over who has which country, and no easy way to track results as voting happens live.
What is a Eurovision sweepstake?
A Eurovision sweepstake is a simple competition:
The randomness is critical. It removes bias and ensures fairness. Nobody can choose Sweden or avoid weaker entries — which keeps it fun across mixed groups.
Why Eurovision works perfectly for sweepstakes
Eurovision is arguably better suited to sweepstakes than football tournaments.
This creates a fast-paced, high-engagement sweepstake that does not require weeks of tracking.
How to run a Eurovision sweepstake (step by step)
Create your sweepstake
Set up your sweepstake using playdrawr. Name it clearly and decide whether you are charging an entry fee before you do anything else.
Add participants
Input names manually or allow people to join via a shared link. The join link works best for offices, pubs, and large group chats — drop it in and people add themselves.
Run the random draw
Countries are assigned randomly. This is essential to keep the competition fair. No one can choose — which removes any arguments about who got the favourites.
Share the link
Everyone can view their assigned country, the full list of participants, and live standings during voting. No login required.
Let the voting do the work
As Eurovision scoring happens, the leaderboard updates automatically. No manual tracking required on the night.
Entry fee considerations
Most UK sweepstakes use:
You can also run it completely free with a prize funded separately. The important thing is to agree the amount before the draw — not after.
Best format for prizes
Keep it simple:
Avoid overcomplicating the prize structure. Eurovision already has enough moving parts.
Why digital sweepstakes outperform manual ones
Manual (paper / spreadsheet)
- — Time-consuming
- — Error-prone
- — Manual result tracking
- — No visibility for participants
Digital (playdrawr)
- ✓ Instant draw
- ✓ Live leaderboard
- ✓ Shareable link
- ✓ Zero admin on the night
The difference is operational friction. Removing it increases participation and keeps the night running smoothly.
Create your Eurovision sweepstake
Free. 35 countries ready to draw. Takes three minutes.