Tops Friendly Markets gives hockey fans a shot at ultimate VIP Sabres Experience

7 lucky shoppers will score club-level tickets, a signed jersey, Tops ‘Fan-Zam’ Zamboni ride in sweepstakes

Tops Friendly Markets press release

The puck has officially dropped on the 2026-27 hockey season, and Tops Friendly Markets is offering fans the opportunity to take gameday to the next level. On Sunday, Oct. 18, Tops will launch its “Tops Top Shelf VIP Sabres Experience” sweepstakes, giving entrants a chance to win four club-level tickets to a Buffalo Sabres 2026-27 regular-season home game, all-inclusive dining in the 1970 Club, a parking pass, a signed Buffalo Sabres jersey and a ride for four aboard the Tops “Fan-Zam.”

As part of the sweepstakes, fans will have seven weekly opportunities to be chosen for a prize package that’s worth over $1,200. Grand-prizewinners will be drawn every Monday throughout the duration of the campaign.

The announcement comes shortly after the Buffalo Sabres renewed partnership with Tops as the team’s “Exclusive Grocer” for the next five years. While searching for the perfect name for this new sweepstakes, Tops turned to the late, great Rick Jeanneret for inspiration. The longtime voice of the Sabres had several legendary phrases and game calls, including his iconic “top shelf where momma hides the cookies!” The phrase caught on in Buffalo and far beyond, and it now lives on in this unique experience that Tops is providing to diehard hockey fans.

“We’re looking forward to cheering on our hometown team, and what better way to start the season than with a fun sweepstakes that gives our most loyal customers the chance to score big?” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “As the ‘Exclusive Grocer’ of the Buffalo Sabres, we’re proud to help connect Tops shoppers with the players, traditions and experiences they love – and bring the community together.”

Starting Oct. 18, there are two ways to enter:

Online or in-store entry, and bonus entries via qualifying purchase

•Online, by visiting topsmarkets.com/BuffaloSabres and completing the entry form with all required information and a valid 11 or 12-digit Tops BonusPlus, BonusCard or Wild Card number.

•In store, by scanning a Tops BonusPlus, and presenting a “Buffalo Sabres Prize Pass” at checkout. “Prize Passes” are available in select weekly ads and can be printed or shown on a phone, from online.

During the entry period, an eligible entrant who has entered through either of these methods will receive one bonus entry for each qualifying purchase at any participating Tops stores. Qualifying purchases include products from dozens of brands such as BODYARMOR, Coca-Cola, DiGiorno, Dove Men, Lay's, Monster, Rosina, Tostitos and Tops cut fruit. A full list of qualifying brands can be found online.

Mail-In Entry

•Mail a handwritten entry on a 3-by-5-inch card including full name, mailing address, telephone number (with area code) and email address. The entry must be mailed in a stamped No. 10 envelope to: Tops Top Shelf VIP Sabres Experience Sweepstakes, PO Box 1027, Buffalo, NY 14240-1027. The limit is one mail-in entry per outer stamped envelope, but there is no limit to the total number of mail-in entries submitted.

Potential winners will be contacted via email address and must respond within five days to claim their sweepstakes prize. For full sweepstakes rules and eligibility, visit topsmarkets.com/BuffaloSabres.

“Like Tops, the Buffalo Sabres are a big part of the fabric of Western New York. Here’s to another memorable season of rooting for the blue and gold alongside our customers,” Ferri said.

To enter and for full prize description/eligibility requirements/full rules, go to topsmarkets.com/BuffaloSabres.