Football squares prize structures: how the money is split
Updated July 8, 2026
A football squares prize fund is usually split across scoring periods, with the final score worth the most. A classic single-game split pays a winner each quarter (for example 15/25/15/45, final highest); a season-long raffle spreads prizes across every game; and marquee games like the Super Bowl can pay more winners. Prizes come from donations or the group — not from ticket sales.
How does a single game split?
In a single-game board, you split that game's prize fund across its scoring periods, with the final score paying the most. A common split looks like this:
| Period | Share of the game's prizes | Example ($100 game) |
|---|---|---|
| End of Q1 | 15% | $15 |
| Halftime | 25% | $25 |
| End of Q3 | 15% | $15 |
| Final score | 45% | $45 |
How do season-long structures work?
In a season-long raffle, one ticket plays every week, so the prize fund is spread across all the games. Regular games might pay only at the final score, while marquee games — the playoffs, Thanksgiving, and the Super Bowl — pay more winners (say the half and the final) so the big moments are worth more.
Where does the prize money come from?
Keep prizes outside ticket sales. Funding them from donations or the group — never from ticket proceeds — is what lets more of the ticket money reach the cause and keeps a charitable raffle clean.
How many winners are there?
One per scoring period you pay out. A final-only game has a single winner; a per-quarter split has four; a season-long raffle has a winner for every paying period across every game — which is part of what keeps supporters engaged all season.
Frequently asked questions
How do you split a football squares prize fund?
Across the scoring periods, with the final score usually worth the most — for example 15% at Q1, 25% at the half, 15% at Q3, and 45% on the final. Season-long raffles spread the fund across every game.
How many winners does a football squares game have?
One per scoring period you pay. Final-only games have one winner; a per-quarter split has four; a season-long raffle has a winner for every paying period across the whole season.
Where do the prizes come from?
From donations or the organizing group — not from ticket sales. Keeping prizes separate means more of the ticket money reaches the cause.
Keep reading
- How do football squares work?A plain-English guide to football squares: the 10×10 grid, how the numbers are drawn, how winners are decided by the score, and how a squares raffle raises money for a nonprofit.
- How to run a football squares fundraiserA step-by-step guide to running a football squares fundraiser for your nonprofit — picking a game or a full season, pricing and selling tickets in person, drawing the numbers fairly, and paying the winners.
- Season-long football squares vs one-game poolsThe difference between a one-game football squares pool and a season-long squares raffle — and why one ticket that plays every week raises more for your cause.
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