Don’t Miss the 2026 Verizon Free Backpack Giveaway: Everything You Need to Know
Fat Kid Dealsabout 2 hours ago2 min read
Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and let’s be honest—the cost of school supplies, clothes, and tech can drain your wallet faster than you can say "pop quiz." Thankfully, one of the best annual freebies is officially back to help ease the financial burden on parents.
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For the 14th consecutive year, authorized Verizon retailers are hosting their highly anticipated School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. This year, they are preparing to hand out roughly 140,000 free backpacks to kids across the country!
If you want to score a free backpack for your child, the event is happening this week. Here's exactly what you need to know, the rules you need to follow, and a massive bonus prize you should look out for.
When is the 2026 Verizon Backpack Giveaway?
Mark your calendars and set your alarms. The 2026 event will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The giveaway officially begins at 1:00 PM local time and is scheduled to run until 4:00 PM. However, you don't want to wait until the afternoon to show up. These backpacks are strictly handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, and participating stores almost always run out of inventory well before 4:00 PM. Arrive early!
The Golden Rule: Bring Your Child!
If you're a parent planning to swing by a store on your own while running errands, you'll unfortunately leave empty-handed.
To ensure the backpacks go to the students who actually need them, the giveaway organizers have one very strict rule: The child must be present at the store with you. Families can receive one free backpack per present child, while supplies last.
Are there school supplies inside the backpack?
If you've participated in this giveaway in the past, you might remember that the backpacks used to come stuffed with pencils, glue sticks, and folders.
It's important to set your expectations for 2026: This year, you'll receive a free backpack, but no school supplies are included. Even without the extra gear, a high-quality backpack is usually the most expensive item on a back-to-school list, making this still incredibly worth your time.
The "Golden Ruler" $250 Bonus
While there aren't standard school supplies inside the bags this year, there is a chance for a massive upgrade.
Organizers have secretly selected a handful of participating stores across the nation for the Golden Ruler Contest. At these random locations, one lucky backpack will contain a golden ruler keychain. If your child happens to pick the bag with the golden ruler, they'll win a $250 Visa Gift Card on the spot to help you cover shoes, clothes, and extra school supplies!
How to Find a Participating Location Near You
The giveaway is hosted by Round Room LLC, which operates two massive authorized Verizon retailers: Wireless Zone and TCC. With over 1,200 participating locations across the United States, there's a very high chance a store near you is participating.
Before you head out this Sunday, be sure to use the official store locators below to find the exact address of your nearest participating retailer:
- Find a Wireless Zone location here: https://shop.wirelesszone.com/
- Find a TCC location here: https://locations.tccrocks.com/
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to break the bank. By taking a quick trip to your local Verizon retailer this Sunday, July 26th, you can cross the most expensive item off your list for absolutely free.
