So, today is the day. March Madness is here. I decided to make a list of free ( and not so free ) contests that you can be a part of. The deadline for most of these contest is at noon today ( which is Thursday ).
Some sites you can put some money down on your favorite team as well, and you can do this at any time during the tournament ( as long as its before the game ). Take 30 minutes and fill these out, the deadline is today.
If you just want a list without reading all the features, click here.
ESPN Tournament Challenge
- Can create your own contest. Public or private.
- $10,000 prize.
- Easy setup, very popular.
The ESPN Tournament challenge is probably the most popular March Madness bracket challenge on the web. You get a very easy drag-and-drop method of picking how teams advance, and you can even form your own public or private groups.
You get up to three entries, and you receive 10 points for each rightfully chosen team in the first round ( it doubles for each round, and is 320 points to choose the March Madness champion ).
For the prizes, there is one prize of $10,000 for 1st place, and a$5,000 gift certificate to Best Buy for 2nd place.
To join the ESPN tournament, click here.
UPickem National Contest
This is a national contest that allows you to pick your teams very easily. The prize is a whopping $1,000,000 for getting your brackets correct. You can join at any time, and you can also create your own public and private groups. A lot of media outlets have picked up this contest, so you might see this in more places than one. click here for the brackets contest page.
Contest Prize Rules
- Fans can only only win one of the cash prizes outlined below. So, for example, a $1,000,000.00 winner cannot also win a $10,000.00 or $1,000.00 prize and a $10,000.00 winner cannot also win a $1,000.00 prize.
- One (1) $1,000,000.00 cash prize could be awarded to an eligible fan who picks all 63 games in the contest correctly. If there are more than one (1) verified winners the prize award will be evenly divided between all winners.
- Up to three (3) $10,000.00 cash prizes could be awarded to eligible fans who pick 61 or 62 games in the contest correctly. If there are more than three (3) verified winners the prize awards will be evenly divided between all winners.
- Up to five (5) $1,000.00 cash prizes could be awarded to eligible fans who pick 60 games in the contest correctly. If there are more than five (5) verified winners the prize awards will be evenly divided between all winners.
Bracketology XD
Your prize: you could win some gadgets, and a chance to meet Penthouse Playmate of the year Heather Vandeven. No biggie. Just click here.
BookMaker ( Oddsmaker )
This isn’t free. There is a small put in but here are the prizes:
1st PRIZE – $5000 cash + 50” Flat-Panel TV (Worth: $2700)
2nd PRIZE – $2500 cash + 50” Flat-Panel TV (Worth: $2700)
3rd PRIZE – $1500 cash + 50” Flat-Panel TV (Worth: $2700)
4th to 100th – $100 FREEPLAY
I would say receiving $100 of free money is worth it. Click here if you have the definite winner.
2009 Bracket Challenge For Facebook
The 2009 Bracket challenge is a Facebook application that allows you to pick your brackets easily. There are also posts of other bracket challenges that you can take part in as well. And it’s free.
You can win a 42″ high-definition television and $5,000. Click here and fill out your bracket today.
Faniq
One of the best sports community oriented sites on the web. With this bracket you could win $100 or a WII. click here to join this bracket.
FoxSports Hooters Contest
This is probably the best contest out there. Here are the prizes:
PERFECT BRACKET – $1,000,000 * 1st – $10k plus Hooters wings for one year 2nd – $5k plus Hooters wings for one month 3rd – $3k plus Hooters wings for one month 4th – 50th cash prizes plus Hooters wings for one month
SportsBook March Madness Contest ( Oddsmaker )
Facebook 2009 Bracket Challenge
This is an application to allow you to create a pool with your friends on Facebook. I don’t think there are any prizes that are attributed to this challenge. But its fun to group up with people and talk trash.
Hey Its Free Blog Challenge
I randomly stumbled over this blog post. This guy is creating a contest and giving out $50 to the top bracket winner. There isn’t that many people in the blog, so the chances seem high to win. Check it out.
BetUs March Madness Challenge ( Oddsmaker )
This contest allows you to win money based on each round, instead of the entire tournament. Try and win!