FIFA World Cup™ San Francisco Bay Area – Host City Poster Contest
Official Rules
As one of the host cities for FIFA World Cup 26™, the Bay Area Host Committee, a 501(c)(6) non-profit ("Sponsor") is offering eligible Entrants the opportunity to compete to design the San Francisco Bay Area’s host city poster (the "Contest").
No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this Contest. Any purchase or payment will not increase your chance of winning the Contest.
Entries will be accepted via email to ally.whitson@bayareahostcommittee.com from 9 AM PST on September 10, 2024 and ending at 5 PM PST on November 29, 2024 ("Contest Period"). Before entering the Contest, each eligible entrant (each an “Entrant” or “you,” or “your”), must review and agree to be bound by these Official Rules.
By entering the Contest, Entrants accept and agree to be bound by the Official Rules and accept the decisions of the Sponsor as final and binding in all respects. Email submission is the only method of entry. All referenced links throughout the Official Rules are either pasted herein or embedded directly in the accompanying text. This Contest is void where prohibited.
ELIGIBILITY: The Contest is open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years old as of September 10, 2024. Employees, agents or representatives of the Sponsor, as well as any other entities participating in the design, marketing, administration, or fulfillment of this Contest (including FIFA World Cup™, FIFA 26 Inc., and FIFA), as well as each of their parent corporations, subsidiaries and affiliated companies (collectively with Sponsor, the "Contest Entities"), and each of their immediate families and members of their households are ineligible to participate in this Contest.
TIMING. The Contest consists of the following phases:
Dates
Contest Period:
Begins: 9 AM PST on September 10, 2024
Ends: 5 PM PST on November 29, 2024
Initial judging phase: November 30, 2024 - November 29, 2024
Potential Finalist notification: On or around December 9, 2024
Final judging phase: December 9, 2024 through December 19, 2024
Potential Winner selection and notification: On or around December 20, 2024
Design launched: On or around February 2025
Sponsor's computer is the official time-keeping device for the Contest.
3. HOW TO ENTER. During the Contest Period, Entrants must complete and submit the following (collectively, the “Entry” or “Entries”). Each Entrant may submit only one (1) Entry.
Entry Form: the Contest Entry form is available here: https://bayareahostcommittee.com/fifa-world-cup-poster , and requires your name, email, phone number, address and agreement to these Official Rules;
Entry Submission: an original poster design that complies with all entry guidelines below and all other terms contained in these Official Rules, which design must be submitted via email to the email address noted above during the Contest Period.
4. ENTRY GUIDELINES. All Entries must comply with the following guidelines:
a. All Entries must be submitted electronically in the following format:
a. Portrait format. Landscape formats cannot be accepted.
b. In the size 594mm x 761 mm
c. As a high-resolution print PDF file (originated from a 300-dpi resolution or vector artwork).
b. In addition, all Entries must be able to be submitted (and upon selection, Entrant agrees to submit such Entry) in the following format:
a. Vector graphics have to be saved as illustrator AI or EPS file (version 10 or higher)
b. Bitmaps have to be submitted as Photoshop PSD file, in 300-dpi resolution at end poster size.
c. All artwork should be delivered layered, not as a single image
d. Artwork should be provided in CMYK and RGB
c. The following elements must be included in the design (the “Required Elements”):
The FIFA World Cup™ San Francisco Bay Area logo in full color format (color choice is at the discretion of the artist)
The following Official Event Title and dates of the competition, in English, set up in FWC26Ultra Condensed Black
“FIFA World Cup 26™”
“June 11- July 19”
Elements based on the guiding principles outlined in the playbook and toolkit provided to each Entrant via email.
Solely for the limited purpose of complying with this requirement, Sponsor hereby grants to each Entrant the limited, non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to use the Required Elements solely for the purpose of creating and submitting your Entry in accordance with these Official Rules. This limited license is granted only for the duration of the contest and expires upon the end of the Contest Period, the submission of your Entry, or upon disqualification, whichever occurs earlier. All rights, title, and interest in and to the Required Elements, including all intellectual property rights therein, are and shall remain the exclusive property of Sponsor or FIFA, as applicable. No rights are granted to Entrants beyond the limited license expressly provided herein.
d. Each Entry must be wholly original and protectable. No third party image, work, likeness or materials can be used in any Entry (by way of example and not limitation, Entries may not include the image or likeness rights of football players, stadiums, buildings, etc. unless fully cleared by Entrant for royalty-free commercial use).
e. Entries must not include text within the concept, utilize any commercial, religious, or political marks, or any logos of other organizations (including without limitation national associations, sporting goods companies, teams, supporters, or commercial affiliates), or contain any image that could in any way bring the image of Sponsor, FIFA World Cup™, FIFA 26 Inc., or FIFA into disrepute.
f. Without limiting the above, Entries also must not include any material that:
Is inappropriate, hateful, tortious, slanderous, defamatory, threatening, indecent, violent, libelous, obscene or offensive, refers to dangerous, unlawful or illegal acts, promotes a political agenda, or may involve any criminal or civil liability.
Promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion or religious beliefs, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender, or age.
Violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademarks or rights of privacy or publicity, or that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to any applicable laws or regulations, or whose use by the Sponsor requires a license or permission from or payment to any third party.
Is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the applicable laws or of Canada, the United States, or Mexico.
Identifies any person other than the Entrant by name or other identifiable elements so that the Entry or any part thereof may be used by the Sponsor as set forth in these Official Rules. Further, any Entry must be an original work of Entrant and must not include, be based on, or derived from, in whole or in part, any AI assistance or similar support, pre-existing or third-party designs, trademarks, or copyrighted images.
Sponsor, in their sole discretion, deems inappropriate for public dissemination.
g. By submitting an Entry, Entrant represents and warrants that Entrant has complied with all of the foregoing requirements and obtained all permissions, licenses and consents that are necessary to submit and use the Entry as permitted by these Official Rules.
h. Each Entrant agrees to keep any Entry confidential – communicating any concept or Entry information or imagery to the public will result in disqualification. Both during and after the Contest, each Entrant agrees that they will not communicate that any Entry was created for the contest and/or in relation to FIFA World Cup™, whether or not selected as a Potential Finalist or Potential Winner.
i. Each Entrant further agrees to (i) provide to Sponsor, at the Sponsor's request, copies of all such permissions, licenses and consents to use the Entry as permitted by these Official Rules; (ii) modify any Entry upon Sponsor or FIFA’s request. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify Entrants or Entries for not meeting any of the requirements outlined above or for any other reasons. Entries cannot be withdrawn, revised or altered once submitted unless Sponsor agrees to such in writing.
5. FINALIST SELECTION. All Entries that comply with the Entry Guidelines and requirements hereunder will be reviewed by a panel of local artists and/or staff selected by Sponsor (the "Judges") who will judge the Entries based on criteria listed below ("Judging Criteria").
a. Eligibility: How well does the Entry meet the guidelines that have been provided?
b. Originality: How well does the Entry exhibit originality, creativity, and imagination?
c. Objectives: How well does the Entry meet the follow general FIFA World Cup™ objectives?
Promote the excitement for the Tournament
Increase volume of co-promotion
Create awareness to the public through community engagement
Promote the San Francisco Bay Area through its own lens
The Judges, whose decisions are final and binding in all respects, will select five (5) Entries based on the Judging Criteria and notify such Entrants (the "Potential Finalists") by email at the email address provided by the Entrant when entering the Contest. In the event Sponsor is unable to contact a Potential Finalist, an alternate Finalist may be selected based on the Judging Criteria.
To be eligible to win, Finalists will be required to submit the following additional information in connection with their Entry (the “Supplemental Finalist Information”):
Demonstration of extensions for the Entry (e.g., prototype for a mug/magnet/etc., incorporation into fashion or design, digital/social, etc.;
A presentation (i.e., PowerPoint) explaining the overall concept and process of the creation of the Entry, including the story behind the design, which should give greater insight and help understand the Finalist’s thought and creative process;
Any additional content the Finalist deems appropriate to help to tell the story and/or show the process (e.g., videos or photos of the creation of the artwork, written thoughts and explanations of artwork), or highlight something unique to that process.
From the Finalists, the Judges will select one (1) of potential winner based on the same Judging Criteria and taking into account the Supplemental Finalist Information (the “Potential Winner”). The Potential Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided by the Entrant when entering the Contest. In the event Sponsor is unable to contact a Potential Winner, an alternate Potential Winner may be selected based on the Judging Criteria.
The e-mail notification to the Potential Winner will include an intellectual property assignment agreement (the "Assignment") and may include certain other required documentation, which must be returned no later than December 31, 2024 or other such date specified by Sponsor (the "Assignment Deadline"). By entering, each Entrant acknowledges and agrees that any Potential Winner will be required to execute such documentation, pursuant to which such Entrant will assign all intellectual property rights in and to the Potential Winner’s Entry to FIFA and agree to execute such further documents and perform all such further actions deemed necessary by FIFA in order to vest ownership of the Entry in FIFA. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, FIFA shall be entitled to freely assign, sublicense, or otherwise use and exploit the winning Entry in it sole and absolute discretion without review, credit, permission, or further compensation or consideration except as expressly provided herein or in the Assignment. Each Entrant understands and agrees that the rights granted herein include reproduction and/or exploitation of the winning Entry or derivatives thereto, in whole or in part, in any media throughout the world, in perpetuity and throughout the universe as may be conferred upon FIFA, Sponsor, or other permitted licensees and assigns under all applicable laws, regulations, or directives.
If a Potential Winner satisfactorily returns a completed Assignment and other required documentation by the Assignment Deadline and is notified that verification is complete, such Potential Winner shall each be a "Confirmed Winner". If a Potential Winner fails to submit the Assignment or any other documentation, with all information required, by the Assignment Deadline, the Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify the Potential Winner, select another Potential Winner, and the Sponsor shall be fully and completely released and discharged from any liability or responsibility in this regard.
Sponsor is not responsible if the Contest is delayed, postponed or canceled for any reason.
6. PRIZES AND TAXES: Each Confirmed Winner shall receive the following prize (each a "Prize"):
Cash award in the amount of $2,500 USD payable by check or ACH;
Promotion on FIFA channels (i.e., website, social media, etc.) as deemed appropriate by FIFA; and
Promotion on Bay Area Host Committee channels (i.e., website, social media, etc.) as deemed appropriate by Sponsor.
The approximate value of all Prizes is $2,500 USD. Winners may not substitute, assign or transfer Prize or redeem any non-cash portion of the Prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to substitute a Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Each Confirmed Winner is solely responsible for all taxes and any costs or expenses associated with or resulting from the Contest and accepting any Prize. Each Confirmed Winner shall provide, upon Sponsor's request, all available information that Sponsor may reasonably require to fulfill their obligations under any national, state, provincial, or local tax statute, regulation, or rule. Each Confirmed Winner acknowledges that Sponsor will rely upon such information to prepare all relevant tax materials, if any.
7. RELEASE: This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws of the United States. By participating, Entrants agree to be fully and unconditionally bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and waive any and all right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules or that an Entrant’s publicity or similar rights were infringed upon. Entrants and Confirmed Winners also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor, FIFA World Cup™, FIFA 26 Inc., FIFA, their affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, the "Released Parties") from and against any claims, damages, disability, attorneys' fees and costs of litigation and settlement, as well as any liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property; or of any acceptance, possession, ownership, misuse of any prize. Sponsor may rescind any aspect of the Contest, in whole or in part, found to contain such errors without liability at its sole discretion.
THE CONTEST ENTITIES DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE USE OF ANY PRIZE OR, IF APPLICABLE, ANY PRIZE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FURTHER, NO RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL EXPENSES, OMISSIONS, DELAYS OR ACTS OR GOVERNMENT OR AUTHORITY.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: The Released Parties are not responsible for: (i) lost, late, misdirected, undeliverable or incomplete Entries due to system errors or failure, or faulty transmissions or other telecommunications malfunctions and/or entries; (ii) technical failures of any kinds; (iii) failures of any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (iv) unauthorized human and/or mechanical intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (v) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (vi) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or part, from Entrant's participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any Prize. If for any reason an Entrant's entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, Entrant's sole remedy is another entry in the Contest. If for any reason this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupts or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, then Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend all or any part of the Contest and to select a Potential Winner from among all eligible Entries received by Sponsor up until the time of such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension, as applicable.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys' fees) associated with participation in this Contest and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
9. JURY TRIAL WAIVER: EXPECT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW AND AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, ENTRANT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT HE/SHE/THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTEST, ANY DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO CONNECTION HEREWITH AND ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
10. APPLICABLE LAWS AND JURISDICTION. This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules for this Contest, and all disputes arising out of or connected to this Contest (collectively, the "Disputes") shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to any principles of conflict of laws, except that the arbitration clause herein shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the State of California and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the State of California. All disputes arising out of or connected with this Contest will be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by binding arbitration by a single arbitrator in accordance with the then-current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, in Los Angeles County, California. The arbitrator shall be an expert in the field of intellectual property law and marketing. All parties shall bear their own expenses, except that parties shall equally share the expenses of the arbitrator (except for the required non-refundable filing fees which shall be paid solely by the party asserting the related claim). Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
11. PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF USE: By entering this Contest, you acknowledge and agree that: (i) you have opted-in to the respective Contest Entities’, including the Sponsor’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, copies which are available here and here, respectively, which may be updated from time to time without notice (collectively, the “Sponsor Terms”); (ii) by opting-in, you have read and consent to the foregoing; and (iii) are giving your permission to receive emails from the Sponsor. You further acknowledge that if you are chosen as a Potential Winner, certain of your identifying information may be disclosed to third parties as required by law, including, without limitation, on a winners’ list. Without limiting the foregoing, by entering the Contest and voluntarily providing your Entries and personal information as described in these Official Rules, you agree to the collection and use of your personal information by the Contest Entities for the purpose of administering the Contest.
12. FORCE MAJEURE. The failure of Sponsor to comply with any provision of these Official Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, terrorism, fire, riot, earthquake, actions of governmental authorities outside the control of Sponsor or other force majeure event shall not be considered a breach of these Official Rules.
13. RULES/CONFIRMED WINNERS LIST: For 60 days after the Confirmed Winner is first announced on Sponsor’s website or social media, you may send an email to ally.whitson@bayareahostcommittee.com for the name of the Confirmed Winner. In the subject of the email, type "SF Bay Area Host City Poster Contest – Confirmed Winners List". No correspondence will be entered into except as noted herein.