The Complete List of Colossal Contests 2026 — Schedules, Prizes, and Charities

If you have seen one Colossal contest on social media, you have almost certainly seen others. Baby of the Year, Toddler of the Year, Youth Athlete of the Year, Super Mom — they all look similar because they are all built on the same structural model.

This guide covers every major Colossal contest confirmed active in 2026, when each one runs, what the prize package is, and which charity benefits from the donations. It is the reference I would have wanted before Julian and I entered Baby of the Year.

How All Colossal Contests Work

Before the list, it is worth understanding what every contest on this page has in common. All of them are run by Colossal Management LLC, a for-profit professional fundraising company. All of them use a tournament-style voting format with rounds from Top 20 through Finals. All of them end each round on Thursday at 7PM Pacific (except for Wildcard). All of them allow one free vote per day per supporter, plus additional votes through charitable donations. All of them donate to a registered nonprofit through either DTCare or Action Initiative Team.

For the full explanation of how the structure works read our complete guide to how Colossal contests work.

High-Priority Contests — Highest Donation Volume

America's Favorite Pet

Launch: January 5, 2026 Finals end: March 12, 2026 Prize: Cash prize and magazine cover feature Charity: PAWS through DTCare Total donated historically: $29.1 million — highest of any single Colossal contest Open to: Cats and dogs. One entry per person/pet owner. Owner must be 13 or older (voting by donation requires 18+). Website: americasfavpet.com

Youth Athlete of the Year

Launch: July 28, 2026 Finals end: October 2, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash and feature in custom 3BRAND ad campaign in Sports Illustrated Charity: V Foundation for Cancer Research and Why Not You Foundation through DTCare Total donated historically: $24.1 million Open to: Athletes ages 7 to 17. Parent or guardian must enter. Host: Russell Wilson Website: athleteoftheyear.org

Baby of the Year

Launch: August 31, 2026 Finals end: November 5, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash and photo shoot for national advertising campaign Charity: Baby2Baby through DTCare Total donated historically: $17.8 million Open to: Babies under 24 months at entry. Parent or legal guardian must enter. Presented by: Jessica Alba Website: babyoftheyear.org

Super Mom

Launch: April 13, 2026 Finals end: June 18, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash, NewBeauty magazine feature, and 6-day 5-night family vacation Charity: Children's Miracle Network through AIT Total donated historically: $14.9 million Open to: Mothers 18 and older Ambassador: Heidi Klum Website: thesupermom.org

Toddler of the Year

Launch: June 15, 2026 Finals end: August 20, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash, national advertising campaign, and Grand Marshal at the Hollywood Christmas Parade Charity: Toys for Tots through DTCare Total donated historically: $13.6 million Open to: Children ages 2 to 3 at entry. Parent or guardian must enter. Presented by: Vanessa Hudgens Website: toddleroftheyear.org

Favorite Chef

Launch: June 1, 2026 Finals end: August 6, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash, feature in Taste of Home, and opportunity to cook with Carla Hall on Chewed Up Charity: James Beard Foundation through DTCare Total donated historically: $12.9 million across cycles Open to: Culinary professionals and home cooks 18 and older Website: favchef.com

Mid-Tier Contests — Strong Donation Volume

Jr. Ranger

Launch: March 30, 2026 Finals end: June 4, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash, exclusive wildlife experience with Jeff Corwin, and feature in Ranger Rick Magazine Charity: National Wildlife Federation through DTCare Total donated historically: $7.1 million Open to: Children ages 4 to 12. Parent or guardian enters. Host: Jeff Corwin Website: jr-ranger.org

America's Favorite Teacher

Launch: March 16, 2026 Finals end: May 21, 2026 Prize: Cash prize, national recognition, and meet and greet with Bill Nye Charity: The Planetary Society through DTCare Total donated historically: $6 million across cycles Open to: Teachers and educators 18 and older Host: Bill Nye Website: americasfavteacher.org

America's Favorite Student

Launch: March 2026 (runs concurrently with America's Favorite Teacher) Prize: $20,000 cash, feature in Reader's Digest, and meet and greet with Bill Nye Charity: The Planetary Society through DTCare Open to: Students of all ages Host: Bill Nye Website: americasfavstudent.org

People's Artist

Launch: May 4, 2026 Finals end: July 9, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash, Artforum magazine feature, and Art of Elysium showcase in Los Angeles Charity: Art of Elysium through AIT Total donated historically: $1.7 million in 2026 cycle Open to: Visual artists, performers, and creative professionals 18 and older Host: Johnny Depp Website: peoplesartist.org

Entrepreneur of Impact

Launch: March 23, 2026 Finals end: May 28, 2026 Prize: $25,000 cash, mentorship session with Daymond John, and national business media feature Charity: GENYOUth through DTCare Total donated historically: $2.8 million Open to: Entrepreneurs and business owners ages 13 and older Host: Daymond John Website: entrepreneurofimpact.org

America's Favorite Couple

Launch: July 6, 2026 Finals end: September 10, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash, Variety magazine advertorial feature, and dinner date with Jeff and Emilie Goldblum Charity: Oceana and LA Regional Food Bank through AIT Total donated historically: $4 million Open to: Couples 18 and older. Both partners must consent to entry. Hosts: Jeff Goldblum, Emilie Goldblum, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and Charlie Day Website: americasfavcouple.org

Fitness and Health Contests

Mr. Health and Fitness

Launch: January 26, 2026 Finals end: April 2, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash and feature in Muscle and Fitness magazine Charity: Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation through AIT Total donated historically: $2.2 million Open to: Male fitness competitors 18 and older Website: mrhealthandfit.com

Ms. Health and Fitness

Launch: January 26, 2026 Finals end: April 2, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash and cover feature in Muscle and Fitness HERS magazine Charity: Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation through AIT Total donated historically: $2.6 million Open to: Female fitness competitors 18 and older Website: mshealthandfit.com

Seasonal and Arts Contests

America's Most Artistic Kid

Launch: February 16, 2026 Finals end: April 23, 2026 Prize: $20,000 cash, display artwork at Minnetrista Museum, and appearance on a special episode of The Joy of Painting Charity: Blood Cancer United through DTCare Open to: Children ages 6 to 17. Parent or guardian must enter. Host: David Arquette Website: artistickid.org

Face of Halloween

Typically launches late summer ahead of Halloween season. Check faceofhalloween.org for 2026 dates. Prize: $13,000 cash, feature in Rue Morgue magazine, and meet Jamie Lee Curtis, Matthew Lillard, and Kane Hodder Charity: Starlight Children's Foundation through DTCare Open to: Halloween enthusiasts, makeup artists, and costume designers 18 and older Website: faceofhalloween.org

Fab Over 40

Most recently concluded January 2026. Check votefab40.com for 2026 cycle dates. Prize: $40,000 cash, NewBeauty magazine cover feature, and spa-cation in Scottsdale Arizona Charity: National Breast Cancer Foundation through DTCare Open to: Women 40 and older Website: votefab40.com

Contests Not Confirmed Active in 2026

The following contests have appeared in previous Colossal cycles, but do not have confirmed 2026 launch dates as of the publication of this guide. Check colossal.org for updates.

• Top Hitmaker — Most recent confirmed cycle ran May to July 2025 (benefiting Global Citizen through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.
• Dance Icon — Most recent confirmed cycle ran February to May 2025 (benefiting Why Not You Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.
• Style Icon — Most recent confirmed cycle ran October to December 2025 (benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.
• Inked Originals — Most recent confirmed cycle ran May to July 2025 (benefiting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.
• Greatest Baker — Most recent cycle concluded February 2026. No 2026 launch announced.
• Bar Boss — Most recent confirmed cycle ran December 2024 to February 2025. No confirmed 2026 dates.
• Face of Horror — Most recent confirmed cycle ran September to November 2024 (benefiting Starlight Children's Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced as it may be replaced by Face of Halloween.
• Ultimate Explorer — Most recent confirmed cycle ran August to October 2024 (benefiting the National Park Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.
• Karaoke Knockout — Most recent cycle was 2024. No confirmed 2026 dates.
• Big Game Hero — Most recent confirmed cycle ran July to October 2023 (benefiting Conservation First USA). No 2026 launch announced.
• Cosplay Star — Most recent confirmed cycle ran March to May 2023 (benefiting Starlight Children's Foundation through DTCare). No 2026 launch announced.

How to Choose Which Contest to Enter

If you are deciding which contest to enter the most important factors are age eligibility for your child or your own age group, which cause resonates most with your donor network, and whether your available time aligns with the competition window.

For detailed strategy specific to whichever contest you enter the free training at Voting Academy covers the round-by-round mechanics that apply across all of these contests.

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