If you find this Chick-fil-A golden cup, you'll win free food for a year

Chick-fil-A is turning 80 this year and the chain is extending the celebration throughout all of 2026. The theme of the party is "Newstalgia," so you can expect to see old favorites and new updates making headlines. The star of the show is the Golden Fan Cup sweepstakes, a treasure hunt of sorts that could win you free Chick-fil-A for a year.

Chick-fil-A locations nationwide are selling $3.99 Classic Cups inspired by designs from the brand’s archives. There are four retro styles in total, rolling out every few weeks, and you won’t know which one you’re getting until you buy it and peel off the wrapper. Mixed into the batch are 3,000 Golden Fan Cups, randomly distributed across restaurants. If you happen to unwrap one of those gold designs, you win free Chick-fil-A for a year.

Winners will get 52 free entrées, redeemable as an Original Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwich or an eight-count of grilled or classic Nuggets. Inside each Golden Fan Cup is a card with instructions and a QR code explaining how to claim the reward. The sweepstakes runs through July 1, 2026, and there’s even a mail-in entry option if you want a no-purchase shot at it (see official rules for info).

While the Golden Fan Cup is the most buzz-worthy piece, it’s only part of the year-long festivities. Chick-fil-A is going nostalgic by adding Frosted Sodas and Floats to its permanent menu. Frosted Sodas blend the chain’s Icedream dessert with fountain drinks for a creamy, milkshake-like treat. Floats keep it classic, layering soda and Icedream so you can sip or scoop. Core flavors include Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and Sprite, with plenty of other options behind the counter.

The Original Chicken Sandwich is also getting a new look for the occasion. For a limited time, it’s being served in retro packaging from Chick-fil-A’s early design archives, a celebration of the sandwich that helped build the brand.

Beyond food, there’s birthday merch. Specialty plush cows will appear in stores throughout the year, along with Newstalgia-themed apparel and accessories dropping online in 2026. This is one celebration you won’t want to miss, and if you find that Golden Cup you'll definitely be eating more chicken.