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THE 2026 ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE® SWEEPSTAKES
OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.


1. Eligibility: The 2026 Essence Festival of Culture® Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C. (“Eligibility Area”), who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry (“Entrant”). Void outside the Eligibility Area and where prohibited by law. Employees of The Coca‑Cola Company (the “Sponsor”), WPP plc, Essence Ventures, LLC , Coca‑Cola bottlers, Don Jagoda Associates, Inc. (“Administrator”), and their respective subsidiaries, parents, divisions, franchisees, promotional partners, agencies, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies (collectively, the “Released Sweepstakes Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee, are not eligible to participate. This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes Entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules.
 

2. Sweepstakes Period: The Sweepstakes begins at 10:00 am Eastern Time (“ET”) on March 16, 2026 and ends at 11:59 pm ET on May 31, 2026 (“Sweepstakes Period”).
 

3. How to Enter: There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to participate. A purchase does not increase your chances of winning. The Sweepstakes consists of a national market which is open to eligible Entrants who reside in the 50 U.S. and D.C. (“National Market”) and a local market which is open to eligible Entrants residing in the following ZIP codes, as listed here (“Local Market”). The National Market and Local Market will be collectively referred to as “Market” or “Markets”. During the Sweepstakes Period, find the Quick Response Code (“QR Code”) on specially-marked marketing material in digital media or select retailers and scan the QR Code for the Local Market to visit the Local Market website by clicking here or scan the QR Code for the National Market to visit the National Market website here (each a “Website”), or visit the applicable Website directly. Next, follow the instructions to log in or create a Coca‑Cola account (“Account”). Click where indicated to receive one (1) entry into the applicable Market’s random drawing (“Entry”). Limit one (1) Entry per person per day and per Market. A day is defined as beginning at 12:00 am ET on and ending at 11:59 pm ET on a calendar day, except for the first day of the Sweepstakes, which begins at 10:00 am ET and ends at 11:59 pm ET on March 16, 2026.
 

Any attempt by any Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different Accounts, email addresses, identities, registrations or logins, or any other methods will void that Entrant’s Entries and that Entrant may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes. In the event of a dispute as to any Entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register for the Account will be deemed to be the Entrant. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holders.


4. Random Drawings and Odds of Winning: Two (2) Grand Prize winners will be selected [one (1) per Market] in separate random drawings on or about June 3, 2026 from among all eligible Entries received Per Market. Drawings will be conducted by the Administrator, an independent judging organization whose decisions are final and binding on all matters related to the drawings. The odds of winning will depend on the total number of eligible Entries received for each Market.
 

5. Prizes/Approximate Retail Values (“ARV”):
 

Grand Prizes (2, 1 per Market): A 4-day/3-night trip to the Essence Festival of Culture® in New Orleans, LA from July 3, 2026 to July 6, 2026 (“Event”) for winner and two (2) travel companions. Trip includes round trip economy air transportation for winner and two (2) travel companions from a major airport near winner’s home (determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) to New Orleans, LA, three (3) nights hotel accommodations (standard room, triple occupancy) in a Sponsor-specified hotel for winner and two (2) travel companions, a $350 Sponsor-specified ground transportation gift card for the Grand Prize winner, $3,000 total awarded in the form of three (3) Sponsor-specified virtual prepaid cards to be used as follows: $1,000 for spending money or to offset taxes for the Grand Prize winner and $1,000 spending money for each of the two (2) travel companions (although it is awarded to the Grand Prize winner who has the discretion to use it as they wish), and Sponsor-selected tickets to the Event for three (3) nights for winner and two (2) travel companions. ARV $11,135.
 

Airline tickets are for travel from major airport in the United States nearest the winner’s home to the destination city. Airline carrier's regulations and conditions apply. Prize may not be combined with any other offer and travel may not qualify for frequent flyer miles. Grand Prize winners and their travel companions must travel together on the same itinerary. If a Grand Prize winner is under twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of trip departure, one of the travel companions of the Grand Prize winner must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at the time of trip departure in order to check-in to the hotel. Each travel companion (or a winner on behalf of a travel companion who is a minor and their child/charge) of a Grand Prize winner, will be required to execute a Release of Liability prior to departure. All travelers must have valid travel documents prior to departure [i.e., REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or REAL ID-compliant non-driver identification, passport (or passport card)]. All travel must be completed on the dates specified by Sponsor on dates coordinating with the Event (or prize may be forfeited, with no compensation); dates of departure and return are subject to change. Certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Seat selection and timing of trip subject to availability and confirmation of reservations. In the event a Grand Prize winner lives within a 150-mile radius of the destination city, round-trip ground transportation will be provided in lieu of air transportation and no additional compensation will be provided for the air transportation portion of the Grand Prize. If a Grand Prize winner elects to travel or participate in the Grand Prize travel with less than two (2) travel companions, no additional compensation will be awarded for the travel companion portion of the Grand Prize and the $1,000 spending money allocated for each of the travel companions will not be awarded to the applicable Grand Prize winner.  No refunds or credit for changes are allowed. All other expenses and costs, not expressly listed above, including, but not limited to, airline baggage fees, taxes, tips, entertainment, transfers, and transportation to/from airport and winner’s home residence are the winner's sole responsibility. Grand Prize winners (or a travel companion if a winner is under 21) will be required to provide a valid major credit card or some other acceptable form of payment, as determined in the hotel’s sole discretion upon hotel check-in and all in-room charges, telephone calls, meals, beverages, hotel upgrades, amenities, personal incidentals and any other expenses charged to the applicable winner’s hotel room will be charged to that major valid credit card. In the event that a Grand Prize winner or their travel companion(s) engage in behavior that (as determined by Sponsor in Sponsor’s sole discretion) is inappropriate or threatening, illegal or that is intended to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the trip early and/or eject them from any portion of the trip or the Event, in whole or in part, and send the applicable Grand Prize winner and their travel companion(s) home with no further compensation. Grand Prize winners also agree that the Released Sweepstakes Parties or its agents may photograph and/or videotape any or all aspects of the festival (“footage”) and winners agree that Sponsor and/or Essence Ventures, LLC may use or edit that footage in any way they see fit.
 

Lost, mutilated, or stolen Event tickets will not be replaced. By accepting a Grand Prize, Grand Prize winners agree to abide by any terms, conditions and restrictions provided by the applicable Event and the Event venue. Sponsor is not responsible if a Grand Prize winner does not use Event tickets on day(s) of Event from July 3 - July 5, 2026. Sponsor is not responsible if the Event is delayed, postponed or cancelled for any reason and the Grand Prize winners will not be reimbursed. Released Sweepstakes Parties will not be responsible for Acts of God, acts of terrorism, civil disturbances, work stoppage or any other natural disaster outside of Released Sweepstakes Parties’ control that may cause the cancellation or postponement of the Event. Event tickets are subject to issuer’s standard terms and conditions, including but not limited to rain-check policies and procedures. Restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. Winners and their travel companions must follow any applicable COVID or other protocols in place at time of travel and the Event. All Grand Prize details are in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In case of Event cancellation, that portion of the Grand Prize will go unawarded and no additional compensation will be provided.
 

Grand Prizes will be collectively be referred to as “Prize” or “Prizes”. If a Prize (or portion of the Prize, except for Event tickets) becomes unavailable, Sponsor will substitute a Prize or portion of equal or greater retail value. No transfer, cash or other substitution of a Prize is permitted except Sponsor may substitute Prize in whole or in part for one of comparable or greater retail value for any reason. Resale of Prizes is prohibited. Limit of one (1) Prize per person/household.


6. Winner Notification: The potential Prize winners will be contacted via email and will be required to sign and return a Declaration of Eligibility and Liability Release and except where prohibited, publicity release (“Declaration”) within forty-eight (48) hours of notification in order to be confirmed as a Prize winner. If a potential Prize winner fails to return the completed Declaration within forty-eight (48) hours, Declaration is returned as undeliverable, Entrant shall be deemed to be ineligible, the Prize will be forfeited and an alternate potential winner will be selected for the applicable Prize, time permitting. Upon Prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given. Administrator will contact the Prize winners within 2-3 weeks after verification to arrange their travel and award the remaining portions of the Prizes.  Return of any Prize or notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and Prize will be forfeited and an alternate will be selected, time permitting. If an Entrant is disqualified for one of the reasons mentioned above and an alternate is selected, the alternate must complete and return the required documents in the timeframe specified. Up to three (3) alternates may be selected per Prize, time permitting. The Prize winners are solely responsible for all taxes in connection with the Prize (if applicable), including without limitation federal, state and local taxes, and the reporting consequences thereof. The Prize winners will be issued a 1099 tax form for the actual value of the Prize, for the year the Prize is awarded. Any winners who have inquiries regarding their Prize fulfillment must contact customer support within six (6) months after the Sweepstakes has ended (and any outstanding Prizes will be forfeited after that time).
 

7. Publicity: Except where prohibited, participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotion, advertising, marketing, and promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further notice, payment or consideration.


8. General Rules: By participating in the Sweepstakes, Entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to and accepts these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and Administrator, whose decisions are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Any normal Internet/phone access and data/usage charges imposed by Entrants’ online/cellular service will apply and are Entrants’ sole responsibility. Sponsor is not responsible for any compatibility issues with Entrant's device/browser used for Entry. Entries become the property of Sponsor upon receipt and will not be acknowledged or returned. Entries specifying an invalid, non-working, or inactive email address may be disqualified. No information regarding Entries, other than as otherwise set forth in these Official Rules, will be disclosed. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, interrupted or unavailable network server or other connection; miscommunications; failed phone or computer or telephone transmissions; technical failure; jumbled, scrambled or misdirected transmissions; late, lost, incomplete, delayed, or misdirected Entries; or other errors of any kind whether human, mechanical, or electronic. In the event the Sweepstakes is compromised or impaired in any way for any reason, including but not limited to, fraud, virus, bug, unauthorized human intervention, outbreak of widespread illness, pandemic, or other similar occurrence, civil unrest or any other problem or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness, or proper play of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to suspend or terminate the Sweepstakes and select the Prize winners from among all eligible Entries received for each Market prior to cancellation. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, corrupted, or incomplete Entries. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt by Sponsor. By participation in the Sweepstakes, Entrants and Prize winners release and hold harmless the Released Sweepstakes Parties from and against any and all liability, claims, or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages, or losses to persons or property which may be sustained in connection with submitting an Entry or otherwise participating in any aspect of the Sweepstakes, the receipt, ownership or use of any Prize awarded, or while preparing for, participating in any Prize-related activity or any typographical or other errors in these Official Rules or the announcement or offering of any Prize.
 

9. Fraudulent/Disruptive Activities: Any attempt to tamper with, interfere with, or manipulate the Entry process, the operation of the Sweepstakes or Website or the Prize determination, including, but not limited to, the use of AI, bots, automated systems, or fraudulent identities, is strictly prohibited. Entries generated by AI, script, macro, or other automated means, or by any means that subvert the entry process, will be disqualified and may result in the Entrant being disqualified and banned from future promotions conducted by Sponsor and its affiliates. The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual suspected of engaging in this prohibited conduct, including but not limited to, creating multiple Accounts, submitting false information, or engaging in any activity that violates these Official Rules. Any such actions may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to not only disqualify such individual but seek damages from such individual to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, any Entrant that acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person will be disqualified. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of this provision.


10. Disputes: Entrant agrees that: (a) they release and will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Released Sweepstakes Parties from any and all Claims (“Claims”); (b) Claims arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or any Prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and solely and exclusively in a federal or state court located in Atlanta, GA; (c) Entrant submits to sole and exclusive personal jurisdiction to said courts in the State of Georgia for any such dispute and irrevocably waives any and all rights to object to such jurisdiction; (d) any and all Claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual damages of no more than $100, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (e) under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for and Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of Entrants or the Released Sweepstakes Parties in connection with this Sweepstakes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules of provisions (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia.


11. Privacy Notice: Information collected by Sponsor in connection with this Sweepstakes may be used by Sponsor and shared with third parties involved in administration of the Sweepstakes in accordance with the Sponsor’s online Privacy Notice posted here. The Entrant agrees to the collection, processing and storage of their personal data by Sponsor for the purposes of the Sweepstakes.


12. Winners List: For a list of winners, available after July 1, 2026, send an email here with WINNERS & 01-2991-99 as the subject line.


13. Sponsor/Administrator: Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is The Coca‑Cola Company, One Coca‑Cola Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30313. Administrator of the Sweepstakes is Don Jagoda Associates, Inc., 100 Marcus Drive, Melville, NY 11747.