Starbucks for Life 2025 returned on December 8, 2025, as part of the holiday Merrython event, bringing daily plays, instant-win rewards, collectible prizes, and multi-year sweepstakes awards. The promotion is live through the Starbucks app and the official game portal, giving U.S. Rewards members several ways to participate. All dates, rules, and prize structures listed here reflect the most current confirmed details released for the 2025 season.
The event began at 4:00 a.m. PT on December 8, 2025, and will run until 11:59 p.m. PT on January 4, 2026. Eligible players can log in each day, complete the available play, and receive either an instant prize or a sweepstakes entry. These mechanics follow the verified structure used in the official rules for this year’s program.
How Players Can Enter
Participants must sign into their Starbucks Rewards account through the app or the promotional website. After logging in, users follow the on-screen instructions to complete their daily play. An alternate entry method is also available, allowing participation without purchase. Each Rewards member may complete one play per day unless otherwise specified in the promotional guidelines.
Confirmed Prize Structure for 2025
This year’s promotion includes a range of instant-win items and major sweepstakes awards. The top prizes remain the highlight of the annual event:
- Grand Prizes – Starbucks for Life: Four winners will each receive a daily credit to their account for one free standard menu beverage or food item for 30 years. The prize is issued as a daily digital credit that does not roll over from day to day.
- First Prizes – Starbucks for a Year: Fifty winners will receive one free food or beverage item per day for a full year.
- Instant-Win Prizes: These include Starbucks Stars, gift cards, and other rewards. Many players have reported receiving instant Star amounts such as 25, 100, or 200 Stars during the early days of the promotion. The rules place limits on the total number of instant-win prizes as well as caps on how many types of prizes each person can receive.
Bearista Cup Opportunities Within the Promotion
Starbucks added another incentive this year with limited-quantity Bearista holiday cups tied to the Merrython game. These collectible cups have been available as prize items in restricted quantities. Reports indicate that a fixed number of cups were allocated for distribution through instant-win gameplay. Demand for this item has made it one of the most talked-about features of the 2025 event.
Daily Play Mechanics
Players receive one game play per day. Instant-win rewards are determined at the moment of play, while sweepstakes entries accumulate and are entered into the corresponding drawing period. Only one sweepstakes prize may be awarded per person. Daily credits issued as part of major prizes must be used on the same day they appear in the winner’s account.
Prize Fulfillment Details
The Starbucks for Life prize is fulfilled as a daily digital credit. Starbucks may choose to convert the remaining value of the multi-year prize into a cash payment at a later stage, depending on program guidelines. Credits provided as part of the 30-year or 1-year awards expire at the end of each day, and no unused credits accumulate. Fulfillment timelines may vary, especially during high-volume holiday activity.
Player Observations and Early Activity
Early participants in the 2025 event have widely shared consistent experiences: instant Stars are the most common rewards, the digital play resets each day, and the alternate entry method works as expected. Many players have highlighted the visibility of the Merrython banner inside the Starbucks app, making navigation simple for both new and returning customers.
Quick Reference Guide for 2025
- Event Name: Starbucks for Life Merrython
- Start Date: December 8, 2025, at 4:00 a.m. PT
- End Date: January 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT
- Entry Method: Starbucks app or promotional site; alternate entry available
- Top Prizes: Starbucks for Life (4 winners), Starbucks for a Year (50 winners), plus instant Stars and gift rewards
- Collectibles: Limited Bearista holiday cups available through select instant-win opportunities
What Players Should Do Now
Anyone participating should ensure their Rewards account is active, check the Merrython section within the app daily, and save confirmation messages or screenshots if a prize is awarded. Understanding the rules, especially around expiration of daily credits, helps ensure players receive the most value from any winnings.
Did you play today? Share your results in the comments and check back for the latest verified updates.