FC Utrecht Benefit Gala: the powerful combination of lottery and auction
Lottery and auction reinforce each other at a charity event
During a charity gala, FC Utrecht showed that it is more than just a football club. Through the FC Utrecht Foundation, the club supports social projects in the region. To raise funds for these initiatives, they went all out — with an auction and a digital lottery, organized via Lotify platform.
The combination of an auction and a lottery reinforces each other. While the auction targets a select group of generous bidders, the lottery engages a broader audience. This mix creates more energy, greater involvement, and a higher return. FC Utrecht proved the point: this approach led to the Foundation’s highest fundraising total ever.
"This record-breaking amount of €503.554 exceeded all expectations. This is fantastic."
– Thijs van Es, Algemeen Directeur FC Utrecht 2025
A lottery full of experiences
The digital lottery was tailored to the target audience: loyal FC Utrecht fans and supporters. For just €5 a ticket, participants had a shot at exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime prizes, such as:
A spot on the official FC Utrecht team photo
VIP skybox seats for a home match (for 10 people)
A padel match with two FC Utrecht players
These were experiences money can’t buy—literally. Not available in the fan shop, and all the more desirable for the fanbase. Prizes with emotional value, exclusivity, and true engagement. That’s what makes a lottery such a powerful fundraising tool.
The added value of a lottery at charity events
A lottery is more than just a fun addition to the program of a fundraising evening. It’s a powerful tool to enhance both the atmosphere and the results of an event. While auctions often rely on a select group of bidders, a lottery allows a wide audience aged 18 and over, regardless of budget, to actively participate. Its low barrier to entry and the chance to win exclusive prizes create excitement and generate extra proceeds. That makes a lottery an indispensable element of a successful fundraising event.
Conclusion
More and more organizations are discovering the value of digital lotteries as a complement to auctions and other fundraising activities. FC Utrecht’s story highlights the key benefits:
✔️ A lottery engages a broader audience
✔️ It lowers the threshold to contribute
✔️ The combination of scale and experience drives higher returns
Want your fundraising event to be more than just an evening of entertainment? Use a lottery strategically as a fundraising multiplier. We're happy to help you create the right format, tailored to your goals and audience. Get in touch with us here!
Curious to read more about successful lotteries at fundraising events?
Discover how Fonds Gehandicaptensport raised an impressive €28,900 with a digital lottery during their benefit evening. Read more about how they achieved this!
