Tournament prize ideas that are not cash

Non cash prizes for gaming tournaments: sponsor products, merch, game keys, gear, experiences and recognition, and how to show a prize so people enter.

Good tournament prizes that are not cash include gaming gear, game keys, merch, a sponsor's product, gift cards, experiences like a coaching session, and recognition like a winner's role or a spot in the next invitational. On RoundsWon a prize can be cash, a physical item or anything else, shown on the tournament page with a picture, so players see exactly what they are playing for. You, or your sponsor, give the prize to the winner directly.

Why non cash prizes work

• They are easier to get. A brand that will not hand over cash will often give a product.
• They look better. A picture of a headset gets more attention than a number.
• They fit the community. A prize from the game, the server or the creator means more to fans than money.
• They cost less. Merch and digital items are often cheap for you and valuable to the winner.

Prize ideas

Gear and hardware

• Headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers, mouse pads
• Capture cards, microphones, webcams for players who stream
• Chairs, desks or lighting from a sponsor

Gear is the classic sponsored prize. Peripheral brands, local computer shops and online retailers often have a budget for product giveaways.

Digital items

• Game keys, from the studio or bought by you
• In game items, skins or currency, where the game's rules allow it as a prize
• Gift cards for a game store
• Subscriptions to a game service

Check the game's own terms before giving accounts or in game items. Many games allow codes from the studio but forbid trading accounts.

Merch

• Your own channel, team or server merch: shirts, hoodies, stickers, mugs
• Signed items from a guest or creator
• A custom trophy or medal, shipped to the winner

Experiences

• A coaching session with a good player
• A match on stream against the host or a guest
• A guest spot on your stream or podcast
• Tickets to a local event or LAN

Recognition

• A champion role in your Discord until the next tournament
• A spot in the next invitational
• Their name on a winners list on your site or stream
• A custom title or rank on your game server

Recognition costs nothing and still works, especially for regular series where the title changes hands.

For game server communities

• A rank, kit or perk on your server (where your game's rules allow it)
• A named spot or build in the world
• A month of a supporter rank, given by you

How to show the prize so people enter

A prize nobody sees does not help. When you create a tournament on RoundsWon, add the prize with a picture. It shows on the tournament page like an ad for the prize, so visitors see it at a glance.

Tips for the picture and the words:

• Use a clear photo of the actual item, on a plain background, not a busy stock image.
• Say exactly what it is. "Lantern Pro wireless headset, black" beats "a headset".
• Say who gives it. If a sponsor provides it, name them and add them as a sponsor so they show on the poster, the page and every stream card.
• Say how it gets to the winner. "Shipped to the winner in the US and Canada" or "code sent by Discord message".
• Split it if you can. One big prize for first and small prizes for second and third keep more players interested.

Handing over the prize

RoundsWon never holds, ships or pays prizes. You or your sponsor give it to the winner directly:

• Physical items: ask the winner for a shipping address in private, never in a public channel. Agree in the rules who pays shipping and which countries you can ship to.
• Digital items: send codes in a private message. Write down which code went to whom.
• Cash: if you give cash, the tournament page has a Pay button for each winner that opens their PayPal, Venmo or Cash App with the amount filled in. The winner taps to say it arrived.

Write the delivery details in the tournament's description before it starts, so nobody is surprised.

Rules to keep in mind

• Entry is always free. On RoundsWon nobody pays to enter, which keeps a tournament a free contest.
• Follow the prize rules where you live. Contests with prizes have rules in many places, including age and location limits. Check yours, and write any limits in the rules.
• Only promise what you have. Get the prize, or a written yes from the sponsor, before you announce it.
• Respect the game's terms. Some games limit what can be given as a prize for their game.

Getting prizes from sponsors

Brands give products more easily than money. Ask for one item for the winner, offer to show their logo, link and offer on every stream card, and send them the sponsor report afterwards with visits and QR scans. See How to get sponsors for a small tournament.

FAQ

What is a good prize for a small gaming tournament?

Something your players want and you can deliver: a game key, a piece of gear, merch, or a sponsor's product. For a small community event, a champion role and a winners list work too.

Can I give a physical prize on RoundsWon?

Yes. A prize can be cash, a physical item or anything else, and it shows on the tournament page with a picture. You or your sponsor send it to the winner yourselves.

Who ships the prize?

You or your sponsor. RoundsWon never holds or ships prizes. Say in the rules who ships it, who pays shipping and where you can ship.

Do I need a prize at all?

No. Many tournaments run for fun and bragging rights. A prize can help a tournament fill and gets more attention on stream.