Chick-fil-A’s Golden Cup Is Back for 2026, Here’s How Newstalgia Works

Move over, Willy Wonka, there’s a new Golden Ticket in town, and it’s hidden at the bottom of a chicken sandwich bag.

Chick-fil-A is officially celebrating its 80th anniversary with a “Newstalgia” event that has the entire internet playing a high-stakes game of “Find the Gold.”

The goal? Finding one of the 3,000 Golden Fan Cups to win free Chick-fil-A for a year.

Here is the breakdown of the 80th-anniversary madness and how you can actually win.

The Golden Fan Cup Sweepstakes

The search for “Gold” is officially in full swing. Chick-fil-A kicked off the hunt on January 5, 2026, by dropping their limited-edition Classic Cups for $3.99.

While there are millions of retro cups circulating, there are exactly 3,000 Golden Fan Cups hidden in the mix.

If you’ve been on social media at all this week, you’ve likely seen the lucky few who have already struck gold—but don’t worry, the sweepstakes runs through July 1, 2026, so there are still plenty of winning cups out there waiting to be found.

How it works:

• The Mystery Bag: You can buy a Classic Cup in-restaurant or via the app (a la carte or with a meal). To keep things fair, they come in sealed, opaque bags—so you won’t know if you’ve won until you tear it open.
• The Gold Cup: If you peel back the plastic and see a metallic gold finish instead of the standard retro patterns, you’ve hit the jackpot!
• The Golden Ticket: Every winning cup contains a card with a unique QR code. Do not lose this card.
• The Prize: Scanning that code loads 52 free entrées (one per week for a year) directly into your Chick-fil-A One® account.

 Pro Tip: You actually don’t have to buy a cup to win! You can enter for free via the Mail-In Entry method.

2026 Cup Release Schedule

Chick-fil-A is releasing four different retro cup designs throughout the first half of the year. Each design is inspired by the brand’s 80-year heritage, from the original “Dwarf House” days to the iconic 90s era.

Insider Tip: You can track the current “drop” and see high-res photos of the upcoming designs on the official Chick-fil-A Classic Cups page.

Note: The Golden Fan Cup sweepstakes officially ends July 1, 2026, or when all 3,000 cups are found.

New Menu Items: Frosted Sodas & Floats

Unlike the collectible cups, these menu additions are here to stay. Starting January 5, Chick-fil-A added two new beverage options to its permanent menu, both inspired by classic soda fountain favorites.

Frosted Sodas
Chick-fil-A Icedream hand-spun with your choice of fountain soda. Think milkshake-style texture, but with a fizzy twist.

Floats
Traditional soda floats made with chilled fountain soda and topped with a swirl of creamy Icedream.

Top Fan Combinations:

• The “Retro Classic”: Barq’s Root Beer Float.
• The “Newstalgia”: Frosted Dr Pepper.
• The “Sunshine”: Frosted Sunkist Orange or Hi-C.

The “Newstalgia” Roadmap: What’s Coming Next?

The 80th-anniversary celebration doesn’t stop at cups and drinks. Here is what to watch for in 2026:

• Specialty Plush Cows ($9.99): New designs like “Daisy,” “Sarge,” and “Carrots” will roll out exclusively in restaurants throughout the year.
• Retro Packaging: Your Original Chicken Sandwich is currently being served in vintage-inspired boxes pulled from the 1960s archives.
• Cow Appreciation Day 2026: Returning this summer with a brand-new digital component in the Chick-fil-A app.
• The Cow Calendar: Revived for 2026 in a modernized digital/physical hybrid format.

Chick-fil-A Golden Cup FAQ

Are the cups reusable? Yes! The $3.99 Classic Cups are made of durable plastic and are top-rack dishwasher safe.

Can I get a refill in my Classic Cup at the restaurant? No. For food safety reasons, Chick-fil-A cannot refill personal cups. They are intended for home use.

What are the odds of finding a Gold Cup? The odds are approximately 1 in 1,868. We do a deeper look at the odds and if Chick-fil-A’s Golden Fan Cup is worth it.