Starbucks for Life returns! Nearly 10 million prizes await, including the viral glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup

• 6 min read
• December 8, 2025

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Get ready to chase the cheer with the  Starbucks for Life Merrython game! Starbucks for Life, the annual holiday game for Starbucks Rewards members, is back, offering chances to instantly win free drinks, food, Starbucks gift Cards, and Bonus Stars as well as the viral Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup, Starbucks for a Year* and the grand prize: Starbucks for Life**.

From Dec. 8, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, players can embark on a virtual journey through four festive cities: Seattle, Milan, Tokyo and New York City. Each week begins with a new city and a free Prize Play, which is a chance to win an instant prize such as handcrafted beverages, cake pops, Bonus Stars and more.

Additionally, members who play the game each week will also be automatically entered into the sweepstakes to win Starbucks for Life! And during the weeks of Dec. 22 and 29, members who play will also be entered into the sweepstakes for Starbucks for a year.

Playing Starbucks for Life, and the opportunity to win exciting prizes such as the viral Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup, is one of the many benefits of being a Starbucks Rewards member. It's also one of the ways Starbucks can reward its most loyal customers.

Here's How to Play

For the first time ever, this year's Starbucks for Life game is an interactive experience, putting members at the center of the action as they compete in a 90-second virtual run, dashing an avatar through one of the cities, snagging collectables and red cups to earn points. The more collectables gathered, the higher the score. Here's the step-by-step guide on how to play:

• Choose the city and avatar. Each week, a new city - Seattle, Milan, Tokyo and New York - will be featured, showcasing iconic Starbucks landmarks in each location.

• Collect as many Starbucks red holiday cups as possible in 90 seconds. The more players collect, and the faster they complete their run, the higher their score, moving them up the leaderboard. 

• Complete menu item sets for bonus points. Gather all four featured menu items on the virtual run, such as breakfast sandwiches and lattes, for extra points. 

• Challenge friends. Invite friends to join the fun and see who can score the most points. The live leaderboard will highlight how players stack up against the rest of the country. Friendly competition makes every run more exciting!

• Share results. Post scores and share prizes on social media or with friends via messages to celebrate progress and spread the holiday cheer. 

• Endless play. Keep the fun going-play as many runs as you want to boost your score and climb the leaderboard.

Here's How to Win 

Every week brings a free Prize Play, offering players the opportunity to win prizes awarded at random-and with an average of more than 600 Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cups up for grabs every day, there's a chance to snag this viral favorite! Once a prize is awarded, winners will receive an email with easy steps to claim their prize. Each player can win only one of each prize type during the entire promotion.

Want more chances to win? Here's how: 

• Earn more with every visit. An extra Prize Play is just a visit away! Simply use a payment method linked in a Starbucks Rewards account or scan the membership in the Starbucks app prior to checking out during your visit to a Starbucks coffeehouse. During the Starbucks for Life Merrython, players can collect up to two additional Prize Plays each day - making every day a chance to win big!

• Tackle Weekly Challenges. Unlock extra Prize Plays by completing weekly challenges.  Challenges might include spreading holiday cheer by sending a $10 Starbucks e-gift Card, ordering holiday beverages and treats or even trying one of Starbucks new protein beverages. Keep an eye out on the "Ways to Play" tab at Starbucksforlife.com to see the Weekly Challenges.

• Double Bonus Star rewards. Plus, every Friday, Bonus Star prizes could be worth double!

Free Prize Plays must be used during the week they are gifted, and Prize Plays that are earned through Weekly Challenges and Starbucks visits can be used anytime during the Starbucks for Life Merrython game.

Ready to Join the Fun? 

Free Prize Plays must be used during the week they are gifted, and Prize Plays that are earned through Weekly Challenges and Starbucks visits can be used anytime during the Starbucks for Life Merrython game.

Ready to Join the Fun? 

Starting Dec. 8, Starbucks Rewards members can visit  Starbucksforlife.com   and log in using their Starbucks Rewards account to start playing. 

Not a member yet? It's easy to join! Sign up for Starbucks Rewards before Jan. 4 for an opportunity to play and win. Download the Starbucks app and create an account or join at Starbucks.com/rewards.

*Starbucks for a Year means the winner will receive a daily credit for one year (365 days) for one free food or beverage item at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. Excludes alcohol.

**Starbucks for Life means the winner will receive a daily credit for 30 years for one free food or beverage item at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. Excludes alcohol.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 AND OLDER AND WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE STARBUCKS® REWARDS LOYALTY PROGRAM AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Starbucks Partners (employees) can win certain instant win game prizes but are not eligible to win sweepstakes prizes. Participating stores only. Promotion ends 1/4/26. For Official Rules and how to enter without purchase, visit starbucksforlife.com . Sponsor: Starbucks Corporation.

Starbucks for Life means the winner will receive a daily credit for 30 years for one free food or beverage item at participating Starbucks® stores in the U.S. Starbucks for a Year will be fulfilled as a daily credit for 365 days for one free food or beverage item at participating Starbucks® stores in the U.S. Excludes alcohol.

Prize Plays may be earned on eligible transactions at a participating Starbucks® store.  Purchases of alcohol and orders placed using Starbucks® Delivers in the Starbucks Mobile App are excluded. See starbucks.com/rewards/terms for details.

Entrants can receive 1 prize play and 1 sweepstakes entry each week and a maximum of 2 prize plays per day plus bonus opportunities to earn additional plays.