Goodyear Blimp Turns 100 & You Can Win a Chance to Ride
This year marks a significant milestone for one of the most iconic and unique vehicles in the world. The legendary Goodyear Blimp is turning 100, and you could win a ride on it to celebrate the special occasion. For its 100th anniversary, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has planned an ambitious tour featuring stops in over 100 cities across the U.S. This historic journey will include appearances at major sports events, music festivals and cultural gatherings, many of which the blimp has never visited before. The festivities kicked off on January 1, 2025, at the Rose Bowl, commemorating 70 years of aerial coverage at the stadium.
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying aboard the Goodyear Blimp, now’s your chance. According to the company, fewer than 0.0006% of Americans have experienced the opportunity. Through the “Buy for a Chance to Fly” sweepstakes, Goodyear is offering three lucky winners the chance to take flight. Winners will receive a blimp flight certificate for two passengers, redeemable at any of Goodyear’s three U.S. airship bases — located in Carson, California; Akron, Ohio; and Pompano Beach, Florida. Additionally, winners will get a $3,000 travel voucher to cover expenses.
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To enter, participants can purchase tires through Goodyear’s website or at Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tires locations, where they’ll be automatically entered unless they opt out. However, no purchase is necessary to participate, as an online entry form is also available. The contest closes at 11:59pm ET on April 10, 2025, and is open to U.S. citizens aged 18 and older. Winners will be announced around April 18, 2025.
Founded in 1898 in Akron, Ohio, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been a cornerstone of innovation for 125 years. In 1910, the company established an Aeronautics Department to produce balloons, and by 1917, it was manufacturing airships for the U.S. Navy. The first non-military airship, Pilgrim, debuted in 1925 as the first helium-filled, non-rigid airship, marking the start of the Goodyear Blimp program.
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Over the years, Goodyear’s blimps have served a variety of roles, from protecting naval vessels during World War II to becoming a staple of live aerial coverage at major events. The blimp’s first live broadcast was over the Rose Parade in 1955, and it provided aerial views for the inaugural Super Bowl in 1967. Since then, it has graced the skies at countless iconic events, including the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby, the Olympic Games and the World Series.
The Goodyear Blimp has also played a role in disaster relief efforts. During the 1989 World Series, when an earthquake struck the Bay Area, the Goodyear Blimp Columbia provided aerial footage to aid emergency responders. In 1992, after Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida, the Stars & Stripes blimp displayed relief messages in English and Spanish, supporting the American Red Cross’ efforts. Beyond disasters, the blimp has often been a platform for promoting nonprofit causes and supporting fundraising events. Would you like a chance to ride in one?
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June 2023
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