WTTW's 2026 Be a Winner Sweepstakes Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR CONTRIBUTION NECESSARY TO ENTER TO WIN. A PURCHASE OR CONTRIBUTION DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN. NO PRIZE CHANGES OR TRANSFERS; NO CASH SUBSTITUTIONS. The sponsor of the WTTW 2026 Be a Winner Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is Window to the World Communications, Inc. (“Sponsor”), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and licensee of Public Broadcasting Station WTTW and Radio Station WFMT/FM. 

METHODS OF ENTRY: 

(1) Online: Go to the Sweepstakes website located at the URL wttw.com/sweepstakes and complete the online entry form by providing your Name, Address (no P.O. boxes), City, State, ZIP Code, the number of entry tickets you would like Sponsor to enter into the Sweepstakes in your name (up to twenty (20) tickets, plus two (2) bonus tickets per household if requested), and indicate that you have read and accepted the Official Rules. Online entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. CDT on October 26, 2026.

(2) Mail: Complete the Official Entry Form according to the instructions and enclose the number of entry tickets you wish to submit. Legibly print your Name, Address (no P.O. boxes), City, State, and ZIP Code on each ticket you enclose. If your official entry tickets are pre-printed with your name and address, please check all information for accuracy. All entry tickets must be detached from each other for the tickets to be valid. Mail your completed Official Entry Form and tickets to Be a Winner Sweepstakes, WTTW, 5400 N. Saint Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-4698 before the Deadline (as hereinafter defined). If you utilize the U.S. mail method of Sweepstakes entry, only Official Entry Form and tickets received through the U.S. mail will be accepted. Faxed and express mail entries will not be accepted, and all such attempted entries will be disqualified. All mail entries must be postmarked on or before the entry deadline of October 26, 2026. If you would like to receive an Official Entry Form in the mail, you must submit a request by October 1, 2026. Postage-due entries will not be accepted. WTTW is not responsible for lost, damaged, misdirected, forged, illegible, incomprehensible, torn, mutilated, destroyed, tampered with, incomplete, stolen, postage-due, or late mail. Valid entries will be treated equally regardless of method of entry.

Ticket Limit: Twenty (20) tickets, plus two (2) bonus tickets if requested, per household – regardless of the method of Sweepstakes entry. Each bonus ticket request must include the bonus word “WINDOW” to be valid. 

Request a physical Official Entry Form by:

(i) Mail: Legibly print your Name, Address (no P.O. boxes), City, State, ZIP Code, and the words “Be a Winner Sweepstakes” on a 3.5″ x 5″ card and mail it to: Be a Winner Sweepstakes Entry Form Request, WTTW, 5400 N. Saint Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-4698, or 

(ii) Online: Go to wttw.com/sweepstakes and fill out the Official Entry Form request, or

(iii) Phone: Call (773) 509-1111 and select option 2. 

ELIGIBILTY:
Sweepstakes open only to those individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence) on the date of Sweepstakes entry and are legal residents of and physically residing in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin as of the date of their entry. Sweepstakes void outside of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin and where prohibited by law. Persons in any of the following categories are NOT eligible to win prizes: (a) Employees of WTTW, WFMT, WWCI, Inc., their affiliates and distributors engaged in the development, production, or distribution of materials for this Sweepstakes, (b) Employees of advertising agencies associated with WTTW, WFMT, WWCI, or prize donors, (c) Any sponsors of affiliated companies, (d) Employees of Plante Moran or other accounting firms associated with Sponsor, (e) Prize donors or their employees, parent companies, affiliates, or subsidiaries, (f) Persons who are immediate family or who live in the same household as person in any of the preceding categories (whether related or unrelated). Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law. Prizes may be subject to additional rules, restrictions, and conditions of the prize donor.

By entering and/or participating, all entrants and winners agree to abide by these Official Rules and hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless Sponsor, the Sweepstakes prize donors, and their employees, directors, officers, trustees and assigns and against any and all claims, actions, demands, losses, liabilities, and damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, bodily injury, personal injury, death, disability, and property damage), costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, settlement, and disbursements) directly or indirectly arising out of their participation in the Sweepstakes, the redemption, acceptance, possession, use, misuse, loss, or misdirection of a prize or any portion of a prize and participation in any prize-related activities and hereby waive all rights to claim punitive, incidental, and consequential damages, even if Sponsor has been forewarned of possibility of the same, and hereby grant Sponsor a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use his/her name, voice and/or likeness for publicity/advertising purposes without additional compensation, in all media now known or hereafter devised throughout the universe. Except as otherwise stated in these Official Rules, the use of the information each entrant submits in this Sweepstakes is governed by the Sponsor’s Online Privacy Policy, available at wttw.com/privacy.

If, for any reasons at the sole discretion of the Sponsor, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned due to, without limitation, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, human error, typographical errors in any Sweepstakes materials, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes and limit entries to those submitted prior to the action taken, or to proceed in such a manner as may be deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Any person who supplies false information, enters by fraudulent means, or is otherwise determined to be in violation of these Official Rules in an attempt to obtain a prize will forfeit the prize won and may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Sponsor is not responsible for human errors or errors contained in Sweepstakes materials including, without limitation, these Official Rules. Sponsor is not responsible for technical, hardware, or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled, or delayed software transmissions which may limit an entrant’s ability to participate in the Sweepstakes or damage a user’s system as a result of participation in the Sweepstakes or downloading any information necessary to participate in the Sweepstakes. 

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY ONLINE SERVICE OR WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST VIOLATES CRIMINAL AND/OR CIVIL LAWS. IF SUCH AN ATTEMPT IS MADE, SPONSOR MAY DISQUALIFY ANY ENTRANT MAKING SUCH ATTEMPT AND SPONSOR MAY SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

PRIZES: 

(1) Spring Early Bird Prize: Two (2) prizes for the InquisiTours “Walla Walla Deluxe Wine Touring Package” for two (2) people. Does not include transportation to Walla Walla, Washington. Package excludes the following tour dates: 4/1/27-4/4/27, 4/30/27-5/3/27, 5/28/27-5/31/27, and 9/3/27-9/6/27. (ARV: $3,899 each).

(2) Fall Early Bird Prize: One (1) Summit Smart Gas Grill from Weber LLC. (ARV: $5,299).

(3) Bonus Prize: One (1) $10,000 gift card and one (1) in-home design consultation to Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. (ARV: $10,100). 

The winners of any of the three prizes noted above are also eligible to win any general prize noted below.

(4) General Prize Pool: All entries submitted in the 2026 Be a Winner Sweepstakes will be entered into the General Prize Pool. Prizes in this pool are detailed below:

Grand Prize: One (1) 2027 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid from McGrath Evanston Subaru. All federal, state, and local taxes are the winner’s sole responsibility. Winner must have a valid driver’s license. For 180 days commencing upon receipt of the Grand Prize, winner may not sell or exchange the car to the dealership. Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary herein, this prize may not be redeemed for cash. (ARV: $36,000); Road Scholar Prize: One (1) prize for two (2) tickets to “The Best of Kenya & Tanzania: A Safari & Cultural Experience” escorted tour, including airfare from a major gateway airport. Travel must be completed by November 2028. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. Winner may elect to receive the value of their prize in the form of a voucher to apply to a different Road Scholar program. (ARV: $21,800); Oscar Isberian Rugs Prize: One (1) hand-woven rug of the winner’s choice from Oscar Isberian Rugs. (ARV: $6,500); The Barn on North Prize: One (1) private event for up to fifty (50) guests, including a full bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a DJ. Four-hour maximum. Gratuity not included. (ARV: $5,000); Fitness Formula Club Prize: One (1) one-year Signature Membership to any Fitness Formula Club (FFC) Location and three (3) one-hour Personal Training sessions. Winner must be at least eighteen (18) years old, a legal resident of Illinois, and have a valid ID. (ARV: $2,718); Carnivale Chicago Prize: Two (2) prizes for a private party for up to ten (10) guests featuring a festive cocktail hour and prefix dinner. Must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance. Gratuity not included. (ARV: $2,500 each); Home Carpet One Prize: One (1) $2,500 Home Carpet One gift certificate towards semi-custom or custom cabinets for your home. Winner must be 21 years of age or older. (ARV: $2,500); Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Prize: One (1) prize for a one-night Grand Room stay for two (2) at the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island during the 2027 season, including breakfast. (ARV: $900); Edgewater Candles Prize: Four (4) prizes for a two-hour private candle-making class for up to ten (10) guests. Must be scheduled in advance (ARV: $700 each); Fleet Feet Chicago Prize: One (1) prize of one (1) $200 Fleet Feet gift certificate and one (1) Fleet Feet Training x CES Voucher. Gift certificate for in-store purchases only. (ARV: $650); Skydeck Chicago Prize: One (1) private Pie in the Sky dinner for up to four (4) guests, including a four-course meal, courtesy of Giordano’s Pizza, at Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower. Reservations are required at least three business days in advance. (ARV: $600); Garrett Popcorn Prize: One (1) prize for one (1) Family Tin of Garrett Mix and one (1) $500 Garrett Popcorn eGift Card. Winner must be at least eighteen (18) years old and a U.S. resident. eGift Card may be used for online purchases only. (ARV: $562); Merchant & Rhoades Prize: One (1) gift certificate for a men's "Gold Coast" package, including a haircut, shave, facial, pedicure, manicure, hand massage, foot massage, and shoeshine. Gentlemen only. Appointment required. (ARV: $525); SOUNDOFF Prize: One (1) prize for two (2) custom-designed knit garments, two (2) snapback hats, and two (2) t-shirts. Knits include one (1) initial design concept and one (1) round of minor edits per knit. Additional embellishments or revisions will incur standard design fees. Custom knit sales are final once production begins. Snapback hats and t-shirts selected from current inventory at time of redemption. Entire prize must be redeemed in a single transaction. (ARV: $500); Lettuce Entertain You Prize: One (1) prize of five (5) Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Gift Cards: $100 for use at Aba; $100 for use at Miru; $100 for use at Mon Ami Gabi; $100 for use at RPM Italian; and $100 for use at Summer House Santa Monica. (ARV: $500); The Auditorium Prize: Four (4) prizes of four (4) tickets to one (1) show during The Auditorium's 2026-27 season. Blackout days apply. Tickets may only be used for the listed performances provided to WTTW. (ARV: $400 each); Sable at Navy Pier Prize: One (1) prize for a one (1) night stay for two (2) guests in a standard king or double queen room at Sable Hotel. Blackout dates apply, including Saturday night stays from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2027. (ARV: $350); The Chicago White Sox Prize: One (1) prize of four (4) Platinum Box Tickets with complimentary parking at Guaranteed Rate Field on a mutually agreeable game date in 2027. Excludes Opening Day, Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers Series. Requests must be made at least four (4) weeks prior to the desired game date. (ARV: $320); America’s Test Kitchen Prize: Four (4) prizes of a one-year digital Essential Membership and the following cookbooks: Dinner Tonight, The New Vegetarian, The Complete Grilling and Barbecue Cookbook, Cocktail's Illustrated, and Cooking for Two Bundle. (ARV: $314.94 each); Lincoln Park Zoo Prize: One (1) prize package of one (1) Lincoln Park Zoo Safari Membership, ten (10) ride tickets, six (6) ZooLights tickets, and a plush animal toy. ZooLights tickets are subject to availability. (ARV: $300); The Morton Arboretum Prize: Two (2) prizes of a one-year Household Membership and a premium gift item. Cannot be combined with other promotions. (ARV: $275 each); Rand McNally Prize: Ten (10) prizes of one (1) copy of the 2027 Rand McNally Road Atlas & National Park Guide and one (1) Pro-Series Chicago and Vicinity Laminated Wall Map. (ARV: $266.99 each); Hooked on Fish Prize: Two (2) prizes of one (1) $250 gift certificate to Hooked on Fish. (ARV: $250 each); KOVAL Distillery Prize: Two (2) prizes of one (1) KOVAL Distillery Private Tour & Tasting Voucher for up to twelve (12) people, and select merchandise for the prize winner. (ARV: $250 each); SkinQ Facials & Waxing Prize: Three (3) prizes of one (1) $250 SkinQ gift certificate for in-store use at any studio location. (ARV: $250 each); Roy's Furniture Prize: One (1) $250 gift certificate to Roy’s Furniture. Must be present at the time of purchase. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. (ARV: $250); Music Box Theatre Prize: Five (5) prizes of one (1) Music Box Theatre one-year Dual Membership plus one (1) $100 Gift Card. (ARV: $200 each); Chicago Pizza Tours Prize: Three (3) prizes of two (2) tickets for Chicago Pizza Tour's Downtown Pizza Walk or Original Chicago Pizza Tour. (ARV: $167 each); The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts Prize: Four (4) prizes of one (1) Open Studio Pass Booklet containing ten (10) individual passes. Participants must be 18 or older. (ARV: $150 each); The Floriography Fellows Prize: One (1) prize for two (2) tickets to a Floriography Class hosted by The Floriography Fellows. If winner chooses a class hosted in concert with other businesses, they will be responsible for additional costs. (ARV: $130); Ravinia Festival Prize: One (1) prize of four (4) general admission lawn tickets to one (1) classical performance during Ravina's 2027 season. Other exclusions may apply. (ARV: $120); Lynfred Winery Prize: Six (6) prizes of one (1) certificate for a wine tasting for up to six (6) guests at Lynfred Winery. Must be 21 years of age or older. (ARV: $100 each).

The total ARV of all Sweepstakes prizes to be awarded is approximately $121,752. If all prizes are claimed, there will be approximately 74 items awarded (General Prize Pool, Spring and Fall Early Bird Prizes, and Bonus Prize). In the event a prize description above differs from the description for that same prize as found in the Sweepstakes prize brochure or the Sweepstakes website, the description on the Sweepstakes website shall control.

DEADLINES:

Entries will be accepted starting at 12:00 am CDT March 26, 2026. Entries received or postmarked before 12:00 am CDT March 26, 2026, will be disqualified. Entries must be received or postmarked by October 26, 2026, 11:59 pm CDT to be valid. Entries received after 11:59 pm CDT on October 26, 2026, will be disqualified. The Sponsor’s computer will serve as the official timepiece for online entries to the Sweepstakes. 

(1) Spring Early Bird Drawing: One (1) person and ten (10) runners up will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries conducted by Sponsor for the Spring Early Bird prize. Winner and runners up will be selected from valid and eligible entries received on or before June 1, 2026, regardless of the method of entry (mail entries must be post-marked on or before June 1, 2026; online entries must be received by 12:00 pm CDT on June 1, 2026). The Spring Early Bird drawing will be held on or around June 15, 2026. 

(2) Fall Early Bird Drawing: One (1) person and ten (10) runners up will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries conducted by Sponsor for the Fall Early Bird prize. Winner and runners up will be selected from valid and eligible entries received on or before September 28, 2026, regardless of the method of entry (mail entries must be post-marked on or before September 28, 2026; online entries must be received by 12:00 pm CDT on September 28, 2026). The Fall Early Bird drawing will be held on or around November 23, 2026.

(3) Bonus Prize Drawing: One (1) person and (10) runners-up will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries conducted by the Sponsor for the Bonus Prize. To be eligible for the Bonus Prize drawing, (i) Each bonus ticket entry must include the bonus word “WINDOW” regardless of method of entry; (ii) Entries must be received on or before October 26, 2026, regardless of the method of entry (online entries must be received by 11:59 pm CDT on October 26, 2026; mail entries must be sent via U.S. mail with a postmark of October 26, 2026, or before). Only bonus ticket entries are eligible for the Bonus Prize Drawing and will not be included in the pool of eligible entries for the General Prize Pool Drawings. The drawing for the Bonus Prize will be held on or around November 23, 2026. 

(4) General Prize Pool Drawing: The drawing for all General Prize Pool prizes will be held on or around November 23, 2026. 

WINNER SELECTION: 

Winners selected to receive a prize will be determined by random drawing conducted by Sponsor, whose decision and interpretations on all matters relating to the Sweepstakes and these Official Rules are final and binding in all respects. The Spring Early Bird drawing will be held on or around June 15, 2026; the Fall Early Bird drawing will be held on or around November 23, 2026. The drawing for the Bonus Prize will be held on or around November 23, 2026, and will be drawn only from the eligible entries which have marked or included the word “WINDOW” on their entry tickets or online entry form. The drawing for all other prizes from the General Prize Pool will be held on or around November 23, 2026. Drawings will be witnessed by an Accounting Firm engaged by Sponsor. The Accounting Firm’s decisions are final and binding in all matters and issues relating to the drawings and cannot be challenged or appealed. Sweepstakes entry materials are null and void and will be rejected if any part is illegible, incomprehensible, blank, mutilated, mechanically reproduced, tampered with, manipulated (folded, torn, taped, has a sticker, etc.), unseparated, forged, or appears fraudulent, or if any Sweepstakes materials contain printing, typographical, mechanical, or other errors. Entries are the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. The Sponsor’s decision is final and binding with respect to all non-drawing contest matters and issues, including, without limitation, the awarding of prizes, and cannot be challenged or appealed.

In the event of a dispute concerning who submitted an online entry, the entry will be declared to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry. An “authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received for each Sweepstakes prize drawing.

PRIZE ACCEPTANCE: 

Prizes are not transferable. Prizes may not be redeemed for cash, or otherwise substituted, except in the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Prizes may be subject to additional rules, restrictions, and conditions of the prize donor. In the case of unavailability of any prize, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute with a prize of equal or greater value, or equal cash value. All federal, state, and local taxes, including without limitation sales tax, if applicable, are the winner’s sole responsibility. Participant waives the right to assert, as a cost of winning a prize, any and all cost of redemption, delivery, or travel to redeem said prize, and any liability which might arise from redeeming or seeking to redeem said prize. Limit one (1) prize per drawing per individual or household. In the event one individual is selected for more than one prize (except the winners of the Spring Early Bird, Fall Early Bird, and Bonus prizes), that individual will be awarded only the prize with the greater monetary value, as that value is determined by the prize donor(s) in that prize donor’s sole discretion. The prize of lesser value will be awarded to another individual chosen at random. Winners of any prize with an Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of $600 or more will receive an IRS 1099 form from Sponsor. The value of each Sweepstakes prize represents that prize donor’s good faith determination of the ARV thereof, and such determination is final for all purposes and cannot be challenged or appealed. If the actual value of a prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash to the prize winner. ACCEPTED PRIZES WILL BE DELIVERED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS OR MERCHANTABILITY FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE). Sponsor has neither made nor is in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to a prize, including express warranties provided exclusively by a prize donor.

PRIZE FULFILLMENT: 

Winners of prizes valued at $599.99 or less will receive their prize by email, mail, or another method determined by Sponsor around or after January 1, 2027. 

Winners of prizes valued at $600 or more will be notified by email, mail, and/or phone around or after January 1, 2027. All drawn winners of prizes who intend to accept a prize will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability/publicity, to be returned to Sponsor within fourteen (14) days of receiving. If Sponsor does not receive the signed affidavit of eligibility and release of liability/publicity within that 14-day period, or if the winner cannot be located or is otherwise found to be ineligible, that potential winner forfeits the prize. An alternate winner will be selected if sufficient time exists to confirm and verify alternate winner as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Upon the receipt of signed prize acceptance forms, Sponsor will arrange for the winner to receive his or her prize by email, mail, or another method determined by Sponsor around or after January 1, 2027.

Winners of travel prizes and their guests will be required to sign a release and a waiver of liability for travel alterations, modifications, adjustments, and/or perils encountered in the course of travel as well as a publicity release (unless otherwise prohibited by law). A minor may accompany the winner of a travel prize only if that minor is the child/ward of the winner. Travel prizes do not include air or ground transportation unless otherwise stated. Travel prizes do not include meals or any other amenities unless otherwise stated. Travel prizes are subject to availability, blackout dates, and other restrictions. Winner is responsible for all expenses not included in the prize description including, without limitation, room service, souvenirs, tips, and telephone charges. Reservations are non-refundable for cash or credit, non-transferable, and non-changeable once issued. Sponsor and Sweepstakes Entities shall not be responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions, substitutions, or any act or omissions whatsoever by the air carriers, hotels, or other transportation companies or any other persons providing any of these services and accommodations to passengers. Sponsor and Sweepstakes Entities shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage. 

WINNERS LIST: 

A list of prize winners can be obtained after February 28, 2027, by sending a stamped, self-addressed business envelope to the address below. Requests must be received by March 31, 2027. Limit: one (1) request and one (1) prize winner list per household. Mail to: Winners List, Be a Winner Sweepstakes, WTTW, 5400 N. Saint Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-4698.