Base44 Super Bowl Contest: How to Win the $50,000 “Big Game” App Challenge (2026 Guide)

Base44 has launched the "Big Game Challenge," a nationwide competition offering $50,000 in cash prizes to users who build the best AI-generated apps. The contest runs until February 10, 2026, and challenges creators to use Base44’s "Vibe Coding" platform to build apps related to the Big Game (e.g., party planners, prop bet trackers). Prizes are split into four categories: Boldest Idea ($15k), Best Built ($15k), Most Buzzworthy ($15k), and a Wild Card ($5k). It is free to enter and requires no coding knowledge.

What is the "It's App to You" Campaign?

The Super Bowl commercials are usually dominated by beer, chips, and cars. But this year, Base44 broke the mold with a 30-second spot titled "It's App to You," challenging America to "Vibe Code" their next great app idea.

The commercial features a bored office worker who types a simple prompt to build a budgeting tool, sparking a "builder’s high" that spreads contagiously through the office. The message is clear: software development is no longer gatekept by engineers. To prove it, Base44 is putting $50,000 on the table for whoever can build the best "Game Day" themed app over the weekend.

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The Prize Breakdown (Where to Focus)

Don't just build a generic app. Pick a lane. Base44 has split the prize pool into four specific categories to reward different types of creators. Choose the one that fits your strength:

How to Enter (Step-by-Step)

You have until February 10, 2026 (Midnight PT) to submit your entry. Here is the official process:

1. Build: Create a free account on Base44 and build a "Game Day" themed app.
2. Publish: Make your app live (free subdomains are allowed).
3. Share: Post a public link to your app on X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
   • Must Include: The hashtag #MyBigGameApp.
   • Must Tag: @Base44 (or @Base44.app depending on the platform).
4. Submit: Copy the link to your social post and submit it via the official contest form on base44.com. Do not skip this step.

3 Winning App Ideas (Cheat Sheet)

Most users will type: "Build a Super Bowl party app." Do not do this. You will get a generic result that won't win. To grab the $15k, you need a "Power Prompt" that builds something specific.

• The "Prop Bet Commissioner" App:
  • Prompt: "Build a mobile app where I can act as the 'Commissioner' to set 10 prop bets (e.g., 'Will the coin toss be heads?'). Allow friends to join via a link, lock in their predictions before kickoff, and view a live leaderboard that I update in real-time."
• The "Commercial Rater" (Real-Time):
  • Prompt: "Create a voting app where users can rate every Super Bowl commercial on a scale of 1-10. Show a live graph of the 'Funniest' vs. 'Most Boring' ads as the night goes on."
• The "Split the Bill" Party Calculator:
  • Prompt: "Build a tool that scans a receipt (or lets me input items) and allows guests to tap what they ate to calculate exactly what they owe, including tip and tax."

3 "Pro Tips" to Maximize Your Base44 Workflow

If you want to win the $15,000 "Best Built" prize, a simple prompt isn't enough. You need to leverage Base44's advanced architecture. Here is how to out-build the competition:

• Use the "Iterate" Button: Don't try to get the perfect app in one shot. Start with "Build a betting app." Once it loads, highlight a section and type "Change this list to a card view with images." The AI works best in steps.
• Force the Database: Explicitly ask for data persistence. Add to your prompt: "Ensure all user bets are saved to a SQL database and persist after refresh." Many low-effort entries will forget this, making their apps "forget" data.
• Ask for "Admin" Roles: Impress the judges by building a "Back Office." Ask the AI: "Create an admin dashboard where I can delete inappropriate posts." This shows you thought about safety and management.

The Fine Print: Eligibility & Rules

We combed through the Terms & Conditions so you don't have to. Here are the "Gotchas" that could disqualify you:

• Age Requirement: You must be 18+ to enter (or the age of majority in your state).
• Geography: Open to residents of the 50 US States and DC only.
• No Copyrighted Teams: Be careful using NFL trademarks. Instead of "Kansas City Chiefs," use "Kansas City" or generic team colors. Do not use the Super Bowl logo in your app icon.
• One Entry Rule: You can build 10 apps, but you can only submit one. Choose wisely.

What is "Vibe Coding"? (And Why It’s Trending)

The Base44 commercial popularized the term "Vibe Coding," but what does it actually mean?

Unlike traditional "No-Code" tools (like Bubble or Webflow) where you drag-and-drop elements manually, "Vibe Coding" refers to Natural Language Programming. You describe the vibe and function of the app in plain English, and the AI writes the underlying code (React, SQL, Node.js) for you.

This shift is massive for the "Big Game Challenge" because it levels the playing field. A creative creative director with zero coding skills can now out-build a junior developer simply by writing better prompts.

FAQ: The "Big Game" Contest

Q: When is the deadline?

A: The entry period closes on February 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT. No late submissions are accepted.

Q: Do I need to know how to code?

A: No. Base44 uses natural language. If you can write a text message, you can build the app.

Q: Does Base44 own my app?

A: You retain ownership of your app's intellectual property. However, by entering, you grant Base44 the right to feature your app and social posts in their marketing materials.

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