Tim Horton Roll Up the Rim 2026: Date , How to Play, Prize

If you’ve ever stood in a Tim Hortons lineup and watched someone eagerly roll up the rim of their coffee cup, you know the feeling. That small moment of anticipation — will it say “Please Play Again” or something better? — is back for 2026, and it’s bigger than ever.

Contest anniversary: 40th (2026) ·
Start date: February 23, 2026 ·
Play methods: Physical cup & Tim Hortons app ·
Return of physical rim rolling: Yes (after digital-only years)

The pattern across these six key facts is clear: the 2026 contest bridges a classic paper experience with modern digital convenience.

What is Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim?

Roll Up the Rim is Tim Hortons’ annual promotional contest where customers win prizes by rolling up the rim of a hot beverage cup or revealing a digital result in the Tims app. The contest was temporarily renamed “Roll Up to Win” in some digital-only years, but the core mechanic — a rim that reveals “Please Play Again” or a prize — remains unchanged. Tim Hortons (official company announcement) confirmed the 2026 edition is the 40th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running fast-food promotions in Canada.

What is the difference between Roll Up the Rim and Roll Up to Win?

• The name “Roll Up to Win” was used during digital-only years (2020–2024) to reflect the app-based reveal. CityNews Vancouver (local news outlet) notes the 2026 contest officially brings back the physical rim roll, and Tim Hortons uses both phrases interchangeably.
• Both serve the same purpose: players earn a chance to win with each eligible purchase.

How long has Roll Up the Rim existed?

• The contest launched in 1986 and has run annually since. Tim Hortons (official company announcement) highlights the 40th anniversary as a milestone that underscores Canadian consumer loyalty to the brand.

Bottom line: Roll Up the Rim is not just a contest — it’s a Canadian cultural fixture. For players who missed the physical experience, 2026 is the year to roll again. For the brand, it’s a bet that nostalgia plus digital convenience can hold attention in a crowded loyalty landscape.

What are the dates for Roll Up the Rim?

The 2026 contest begins on February 23, 2026, as confirmed by Tim Hortons (official company announcement). The contest runs for a limited period; CityNews Vancouver (local news outlet) reports it ends on March 22, 2026, though Tim Hortons has not officially confirmed the end date. Cup rolls are available while supplies last.

Start date for 2026

• February 23, 2026 — the first day you can buy an eligible beverage and roll or earn a digital entry.

Expected end date and duration

• Based on CityNews Vancouver, the promotion window is February 23 to March 22, 2026 — roughly 4 weeks.
• Digital rolls must be revealed by April 3, 2026. Physical cup prizes for major wins must be claimed by May 4, 2026 (CityNews Vancouver).

Bottom line: Mark your calendar: the 40th anniversary run kicks off Feb 23 and likely ends March 22. However, you have until April 3 to reveal digital rolls and until May 4 to claim any big prize cups. Don’t wait — if you find a winner, act fast.

Is Roll Up the Rim over 2026?

No — Tim Hortons has confirmed the contest is back and will continue. Tim Hortons (official company announcement) stated that physical Roll Up the Rim cups will return “and will continue to be a part of future contests.”

CityNews Vancouver (local news outlet) echoed that Tim Hortons says Roll Up the Rim is back for good, ending speculation that the contest might be retired after the digital era.

Official statement from Tim Hortons

• “We heard you Canada — the iconic tradition of rolling up the rim is back and will continue to be a part of future contests.” (Tim Hortons press release, via CNW)

Future of the contest

• Tim Hortons has not specified whether future editions will always include physical cups, but the company’s language suggests the physical format is here to stay.

Can you play Roll Up the Rim without buying?

Yes. By law, no-purchase entry must be available for any contest in Canada. Tim Hortons (official company announcement) confirms that players can earn digital rolls through the Tims app without buying anything. Physical cup rolls, however, require the purchase of an eligible hot or cold beverage, breakfast sandwich or wrap, or lunch or dinner food item.

How to enter without a purchase

• Download the Tim Hortons app and register for Tims Rewards. You can earn digital rolls by engaging with the app — for example, scanning a reusable cup or purchasing Tims at Home products (CityNews Vancouver).
• The official contest rules detail the no-purchase method. (Specific rules can be found on the Tim Hortons website; the URL was not provided in the research.)

Rules for free play

• Open to residents aged 13 and older; Quebec requires age 14+ (CityNews Vancouver).
• Each digital roll is earned per eligible action. No purchase necessary for digital entries, but a purchase is required for physical cup rolls.

Bottom line: You don’t need to spend money to get a chance. Use the app for free rolls. But if you want the full sensory experience — peeling that paper rim — you’ll need to buy a hot coffee or tea.

How do I redeem a Roll Up To Win prize?

Redeeming your prize depends on whether you won on a physical cup or through the app. Follow these steps to claim what you’ve won.

Steps to redeem via the Tim Hortons app

• Open the Tims app and go to your Rewards wallet. Winning digital rolls will be credited automatically. You can then redeem the prize (e.g., a free coffee) at any participating Tim Hortons by scanning your app code.
• According to Tim Hortons (official announcement), digital rolls must be revealed by April 3, 2026. Unrevealed rolls expire after that date.

Steps to redeem a winning physical cup

• Take the winning cup to any Tim Hortons counter before the contest end date. Show the rolled rim to the cashier. For small prizes (coffee, donut), you’ll receive the item immediately.
• For major prizes (e.g., gift cards, electronics), follow the instructions printed on the cup. You may need to submit an online claim form. Major cup prizes must be claimed by May 4, 2026 (CityNews Vancouver).

Timeline

• 1986: Roll Up the Rim contest launches. (Tim Hortons official announcement)
• 2020–2024: Digital-only versions of the contest due to pandemic. (CityNews Vancouver)
• February 2026: 40th anniversary announced; physical cup return confirmed. (Tim Hortons official announcement)
• February 23, 2026: 2026 contest begins. (Tim Hortons official announcement)
• March 22, 2026 (expected): Contest end date (per CityNews Vancouver).

The implication: the 2026 contest is a bridge between a beloved Canadian tradition and the digital future. After four years of app-only play, the return of the physical cup is a strong signal that Tim Hortons values the tactile, in-store experience.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Perspectives from the news

“We heard you Canada — the iconic tradition of rolling up the rim is back and will continue to be a part of future contests.”

— Tim Hortons, official press release via CNW (company news service)

“The Canadian contest runs from Feb 23 to March 22, 2026, with cup rolls available while supplies last.”

— CityNews Vancouver (local Canadian news outlet)

Why this matters: The return of the physical cup isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s a move to drive in-store traffic and reinforce brand identity. For Tim Hortons, Roll Up the Rim remains a powerful loyalty tool that bridges generations.

For a comprehensive overview of the contest, check out the Roll Up the Rim 2026 details on CanadaFrame.

Frequently asked questions

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