Last One Standing fundraisers remain one of the most popular and profitable ways for sports clubs to raise money online. They are simple to understand, easy to promote, and can keep members engaged for weeks throughout a football season or tournament.
Whether your club needs funds for new equipment, pitch improvements, travel costs, or teamwear, a Last One Standing competition can generate recurring income with very little admin.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how a Last One Standing fundraiser works, how to run one successfully, and tips to maximise entries for your club.
What Is a Last One Standing Fundraiser?
A Last One Standing fundraiser is a football prediction competition where participants pick one team to win each week.
If their chosen team wins, they progress to the next round.
If:
- their team loses
- or draws
they are eliminated from the competition.
The goal is simple:
be the last participant remaining.
Most clubs charge an entry fee and offer a cash prize, with the remaining funds helping support the club.
Why Sports Clubs Love Last One Standing Competitions
Last One Standing games are popular because they are:
- Simple for members to understand
- Easy to share on WhatsApp and social media
- Low admin for volunteers
- Great for recurring engagement
- Suitable for football clubs, GAA clubs, rugby clubs, golf societies, and schools
- Proven to generate strong fundraising revenue
Unlike one-off raffles or fundraising events, a Last One Standing competition keeps supporters involved week after week.
How a Last One Standing Fundraiser Works
Step 1: Choose Your Competition
Most clubs use:
- Premier League
- Champions League
- World Cup
- Euros
- Local football leagues
Premier League is usually the most popular because fixtures run weekly for months.
Step 2: Set an Entry Fee
Typical entry fees are:
- £10
- £20
- £25
The ideal amount depends on:
- your audience
- prize size
- number of expected players
Example:
- 200 players
- £10 entry fee
- £2,000 total revenue
Step 3: Decide the Prize Structure
Many clubs offer:
- One overall winner prize
- Smaller weekly prizes
- Runner-up prizes
Example:
- Winner receives £500
- Club keeps remaining fundraising profits
Some clubs also:
- split the prize pool
- roll over jackpots
- offer bonus draws
Step 4: Publish Weekly Fixtures
Each round, players select one team they believe will win.
Rules usually include:
- You cannot pick the same team twice
- Picks must be submitted before kickoff
- Draws count as elimination
The competition continues until:
- one player remains
- or remaining players share the prize
Best Platforms for Running Last One Standing Fundraisers
While some clubs still run competitions manually through spreadsheets and WhatsApp messages, online fundraising platforms make the process much easier.
Using an online platform allows clubs to:
- Collect payments online
- Automatically track entries
- Manage player selections
- Send reminders
- Share live leaderboards
- Reduce admin workload
This is especially important for larger competitions with hundreds of players.
How Much Money Can a Club Raise?
The amount raised depends on:
- entry fee
- number of participants
- prize structure
Example fundraiser:
| Players | Entry Fee | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | £10 | £1,000 |
| 250 | £10 | £2,500 |
| 500 | £10 | £5,000 |
Even after prizes and payment processing fees, Last One Standing competitions can generate significant funds for sports clubs.
Tips to Make Your Last One Standing Fundraiser Successful
Start Promoting Early
Launch promotion at least:
- 2–3 weeks before kickoff
Use:
- WhatsApp groups
- Club email lists
- Posters at the club
Make Joining Simple
The easier it is to enter, the more players you’ll get.
Online payment links and mobile-friendly entry pages can dramatically improve conversions.
Use Weekly Updates
Keep engagement high by posting:
- remaining players
- shock eliminations
- weekly reminders
- league tables
This keeps members talking about the fundraiser throughout the season.
Encourage Sharing
Ask participants to:
- invite friends
- share the entry link
- challenge other teams or clubs
Word-of-mouth is often the biggest driver of entries.
Common Last One Standing Rules
Most clubs use rules similar to:
- Pick one team to win each round
- You cannot select the same team twice
- If your team loses or draws, you are eliminated
- Picks must be submitted before kickoff
- The last remaining player wins
Some competitions also include:
- lifelines
- bonus rounds
- double-point weeks
- re-entry options
Last One Standing vs Predictor Fundraisers
Many clubs also compare Last One Standing competitions with Score Predictor fundraisers.
Last One Standing
- Simpler
- Faster to play
- Less admin
- More casual audience
Predictor Fundraisers
- More detailed
- Higher engagement
- Leaderboards and scoring systems
- Better for major tournaments like the World Cup
Some clubs successfully run both throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
A Last One Standing fundraiser remains one of the easiest and most effective ways for sports clubs to raise money online.
It combines:
- competitive fun
- recurring engagement
- simple rules
- strong fundraising potential
With the right promotion and an easy online entry process, clubs can generate thousands in fundraising revenue while keeping supporters engaged throughout the season.
Whether you’re fundraising for:
- new kit
- facilities
- travel
- equipment
- or general club development
Last One Standing is a proven fundraising format that continues to work year after year.