Microsoft Advertising opened two partner programs this fall that agencies and resellers should note now: a Partner Celebration awards process running through November 16, 2026, and a Partner Sweepstakes that accepts qualifying platform actions through November 10, 2026. One program highlights documented success; the other converts everyday platform work into prize entries. If you manage Microsoft Advertising accounts, both have clear, short-term actions you can take.

Who can enter and what’s at stake

The Partner Celebration is limited to partners enrolled in Microsoft Advertising’s Partner tier. Nominations are open from October 5 to November 16, 2026. Winners get visibility from Microsoft — a partner spotlight, a virtual speaking opportunity — and eligibility for the Global Emerging Partner of the Year.

The Partner Sweepstakes is open to all enrolled partners and runs from September 15 to November 10, 2026. Partners earn entries by completing qualifying actions on the platform. Prizes listed by Microsoft include Xbox Series X consoles (first prize for 30 winners), $250 gift cards (30 winners), and early-bird $100 gift cards for the first 20 valid entries. Microsoft states prizes will be awarded in early 2027 after entries are verified.

How to qualify: awards and sweepstakes mechanics

The Celebration accepts nominations in two categories; each category will name one winner and one finalist:

  • Growth Catalyst Award: for partners showing measurable momentum over the last 6–12 months through revenue growth, net-new accounts, expansion into new verticals, or increased certification and expertise.
  • Product Champion Award: for partners applying new features or inventive strategies that materially improve execution, campaign performance, or scalable client practices.

For the Sweepstakes, Microsoft lists four eligible actions that earn entries when completed during the promotion window:

  • Link a new client account that isn’t already on Microsoft Advertising.
  • Enable automated bidding strategies on a client account.
  • Launch an AI-powered campaign (Microsoft names “Performance Max or AI Max” campaigns as examples).
  • Create a Universal Event Tracking (UET) tag for a domain to support conversion tracking and audience building.

Each qualifying action earns entries; completing all four unlocks bonus entries. Participants must register and submit an entry form on the Microsoft Advertising Partner Sweepstakes registration page to record entries.

Practical implications for agencies and partners

The two initiatives pursue different aims. The Celebration spotlights measurable partner accomplishments and innovation; the Sweepstakes encourages specific platform behaviors Microsoft values — automated bidding, UET deployment and AI-enabled campaign types — by converting them into tangible incentives.

That matters because these are low-friction, near-term actions for teams already managing accounts. Linking new client accounts and enabling automated bidding are operational tasks that also support account growth and efficiency. Deploying a single UET tag per domain improves conversion measurement and enables privacy-compliant audience building. Launching an AI-powered campaign signals adoption of Microsoft’s newer campaign types and can inform later optimization work.

What the announcement does not specify in detail is the awards’ judging criteria or the relative weighting of evidence for nominations. If you plan to nominate, prepare concise documentation of recent revenue or account growth, examples of vertical expansion, and proof points for technical capability (certifications, case metrics, campaign results).

Next steps and what to watch

If you intend to participate, take two practical steps now: assemble nomination materials for the Partner Celebration and register for the Sweepstakes page, then complete any qualifying actions before the cutoffs. Confirm that each action is recorded in Microsoft’s partner entry process before November 10 (sweepstakes) or November 16 (celebration nominations).

Watch for prize verification and award announcements in early 2027. For agencies, treat the Sweepstakes as an operational checklist that aligns platform best practices with a short-term incentive; treat the Celebration as an opportunity to amplify proven commercial wins.

Neither program changes platform fundamentals, but both create a moment to prioritize measurement, automation and documented growth — the practical steps that improve client performance and make your shop more visible to Microsoft and potential clients.