Raffles in sneakers have been around since they evolved from a niche culture to a mainstream obsession. It was historically seen as a ‘fair’ way to release a sneaker, especially if it is in high demand. The barrier of entry will vary from going down to your local store to enter in-person, hitting up social media and (annoyingly) tagging three friends, or just entering your info online. As the years have gone by, it seems like sneaker raffles have become more difficult to enter and a lot more challenging to win. With this guide, we’re going to explain the ins and outs of sneaker raffles, including:

Let’s get into it.

Where to Find Sneaker Raffles?

Sneaker raffles are everywhere you look these days. There are accounts you can follow on social media, email lists you can subscribe to, and even groups that let you know where to find them. With so much information, it makes it tricky to keep track of it all.

A SoleSavy membership makes it super easy to manage your raffle entries. All active raffles are listed within the Release Calendar of the DROPS app, and Premium members get alerted when a new raffle drops.

How Do Sneaker Raffles Work?

Sneaker raffles are similar to a draw or a lottery. You enter with your information, such as name, email, and sometimes address, and then you wait for an email or text/phone call to confirm that you have won. It all depends on the type of raffle that a retailer deploys.

Since most raffles give you a limited time to purchase, it is often helpful to keep an eye on your email’s spam folder afterward so that you don’t miss out on your potential purchase.

The main types of sneaker raffles are:

How to Enter Sneaker Raffles?

As we mentioned above, entering a sneaker raffle depends on the type of raffle being posted. It’s usually a pretty seamless process either way.

Online

Simple entry form usually requests a name, email, and phone number. They are typically hosted either on a retailer’s website or social media bio. It’s becoming more common for sites to require payment info and charge you if you win.

In-Person

You visit the actual retailer to fill out an entry form. Sometimes these raffles will also require you to purchase an item to increase chances or donate an item for a good cause. (Skate shops usually employ this type of raffle)

App Reservation

This is probably the most common and one you may be familiar with. Think Nike SNKRS, adidas CONFIRMED, Foot Locker, etc. You submit a raffle entry at either drop time or a few days before. At release time, you’ll be notified if you won and will either be automatically charged or given pick-up instructions in-store.

Which Sneaker Raffles Should I Enter?

Various brands and boutiques offer sneaker raffles, depending on your choice. Some boutiques like Bodega offer extra raffle entries for engaging with them on social media, adding to your chances of winning your coveted sneaker.

A SoleSavy membership gives you access to numerous raffles available for a specific sneaker, furthering your potential to secure the sneaker even more. Using our tools, you can find the type of sneaker raffle that works best for you.

Are Sneaker Raffles Fair?

Though they are left up to your luck, sneaker raffles are the ultimate version of fairness in the sneaker game. Raffles allow all entrants an equal chance to win the goods they’ve been looking for, so even though luck may not be on your side at every turn, there is still hope when you enter a raffle.