> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hackersquad.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Prizes

> Create prizes, assign categories, link sponsors, and distribute awards to winning projects

The **Prizes** tab in the Event Management dashboard lets you create and manage all prizes for your event. Access it from the [Event Management Overview](/event-management/overview) by clicking the **Prizes** tab.

## Creating a prize

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Prizes tab">
    Navigate to your event's management page and click the **Prizes** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Prize">
    Click the **Create Prize** button to open the prize creation form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in prize details">
    Enter the following information:

    | Field            | Description                                                              |
    | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Title**        | Name of the prize (e.g., "Best Overall Hack", "Best Use of Sponsor API") |
    | **Description**  | What the prize is awarded for and any eligibility criteria               |
    | **Value**        | Description of the prize (e.g., "MacBook Pro", "\$500 AWS Credits")      |
    | **Dollar value** | Monetary value of the prize for tracking purposes                        |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a category">
    Choose a prize category that determines how the winner is selected:

    | Category             | Description                                          |
    | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Overall Winner**   | Top project across all submissions                   |
    | **Track Winner**     | Best project in a specific technology track or theme |
    | **Judges' Choice**   | Selected by the judging panel                        |
    | **Community Choice** | Determined by community voting results               |
    | **Raffle**           | Randomly awarded to eligible participants            |
    | **Participation**    | Awarded to all participants who meet criteria        |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link to a sponsor (optional)">
    Associate the prize with a sponsoring company. This links the prize to the sponsor's branding and tracks which sponsors are providing prizes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the prize">
    Click **Save** to add the prize to your event.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>Create a mix of prize categories to reward different types of contributions — technical excellence, creativity, community engagement, and participation.</Tip>

## Managing prizes

From the Prizes tab you can:

* **View all prizes** — see each prize's title, category, value, linked sponsor, and winner status
* **Edit prizes** — update prize details, value, or category
* **Delete prizes** — remove prizes that are no longer offered

## Assigning winners

Once judging is complete and the [leaderboard](/event-management/leaderboard) is finalized:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select a prize">
    Click on the prize you want to assign a winner to.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the winning project">
    Select the winning project from the list of submitted projects. For **Community Choice** prizes, the project with the most votes is the natural winner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the assignment">
    Save the winner assignment. The winning team is displayed alongside the prize.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tracking prize distribution

After assigning winners, track the status of prize distribution:

* **Assigned** — winner has been selected
* **Claimed** — winner has acknowledged or received the prize
* **Distributed** — prize has been fully delivered

<Note>Coordinate with sponsors for sponsor-linked prizes to ensure timely delivery of prizes to winners.</Note>

## Next steps

<Columns>
  <Card title="Leaderboard" icon="ranking-star" href="/event-management/leaderboard">
    View rankings to determine winners.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sponsorships" icon="handshake" href="/event-management/sponsorships">
    Manage sponsors providing prizes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Community Voting" icon="check-to-slot" href="/event-management/community-voting">
    Set up community voting for Community Choice prizes.
  </Card>
</Columns>