To implement the policy goals of promoting sports for all and to foster an appreciation for the arts among young people, the Department of Sports will make 600,000 free $500 Sports Credits available for a lottery drawing open to citizens aged 16 and older starting January 26, 2026. Additionally, 1,200 Culture Points will be provided for young people aged 13 to 22 to claim.
How will the 2026 Sports Coins be allocated by lottery, and how can Cultural Coins be claimed? Here is a summary and explanation:
Government Sports and Cultural Benefits Are Here! The Ministry of Sports will hold a lottery for 600,000 “Sports Coins” worth $500 each, open to citizens aged 16 and older, while the Ministry of Culture will distribute 1,200 “Culture Coins” to youth aged 13 to 22. Below is a summary video and detailed explanation of the 2026 Ministry of Sports and Culture Coin programs:
1. Sports Coins:
To implement the policy goals of the “Sports for All” initiative, starting in 2026, the Department of Sports will distribute 600,000 copies of “Sports Coins“(formerly known as the Youth Activity Voucher), with a face value of 500 yuan per voucher. All citizens aged 16 and older are eligible to register for the lottery. Details are as follows:
A. Target Audience:
Any citizen who is at least 16 years old (born before January 1, Republic of China Year 99) and currently registered as a resident in Taiwan is eligible to register for the lottery.
B. Payment Amount:
600,000 units of 500-yuan sports tokens.
C. Registration Method:
a. Go to the Dongzi website (500.gov.tw):
On the “Registration” page, enter your “Name,” “ID Number,” “Date of Birth,” “Mobile Phone Number,” and “Email Address.”
b. Complete registration:
Click the “Register” button. Once your age and identity have been verified, you will be eligible to participate in the lottery.
D. Registration Period, Lottery Date, and Pickup Method:
a. Registration:
From 10:00 a.m. on January 26, 2026, through January 30, registration will be staggered based on the last digit of the ID card number (registration opens on 1/26 for ID cards ending in 0 and 1; on 1/27 for those ending in 2).(With the last digits 4 and 5 available on January 28, the last digits 6 and 7 available on January 29, and the last digits 8 and 9 available on January 30)From January 31 through 11:59 p.m. on February 8, registration will be fully open to all, regardless of license number.
b. Drawing of lots:
A live public lottery will be held on February 12, 2026, with winners selected based on the “last digit of their ID card” and notified via text message.
c. Pickup Method:
Winners should go toDongzi.com(500.gov.tw) Get the QR code for the Sports Coin e-wallet.Go to “My Sports Coins,” enter your personal information, enter the “4-digit SMS verification code,” and obtain the QR code for your Sports Coins e-wallet.
E. Validity Period for Sports Coins:
From 10:00 a.m. on March 1, Year 115, to 12:00 a.m. on December 31 of the same year.
F. Scope of Use for Sports Coins:
The 500-yuan Sports Credit can be used for exercising, watching sports events, and purchasing sports gear (with a maximum credit of 200 yuan for “purchasing sports gear”). It can be redeemed at physical stores and online platforms. Please seePartner Stores。
For in-store purchases, present your “QR code or payment code” at the register and provide your “SMS verification code” to redeem the credit; For purchases on online platforms, enter the “payment code,” “last four digits of your ID number,” and “SMS verification code” into the system to apply the credit. Any amount exceeding your Sports Coin balance must be paid out of pocket.
2. Cultural Coins:
To encourage young people to engage with the arts and culture and cultivate an appreciation for the arts,2026 Cultural Coin(Cultural Grant) The eligibility for this grant has been expanded to include everyone from middle school students to college students. Starting at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026, young people aged 13 to 22 will each receive 1,200 Cultural Coins. Details are as follows:
A. Target Audience:
Any person born between January 1, 93, and December 31, 102, must be a national of the Republic of China or an eligible foreign national (holding a residence permit).
B. Payment Amount:
1,200 points per person per year (1 point equals 1 yuan)
C. Claim Process:
a.Download the app:Search for and download the “Culture Coin” app on your phone.
b. Register to receive: After completing your membership registration, click “Claim the Cultural Gift.”
c. Identity Verification: Enter your name, ID number, and date of birth. Once verified, 1,200 points will be credited to your account immediately.
Teenagers who do not own a smartphone can contact official customer service to request a “paper QR code,” which can also be scanned at participating merchants to make purchases.
D. Validity Period of Cultural Coins:
The points issued as part of this Cultural Coin program are valid until December 31, 115; they will expire after that date.
E. Scope of Use for Cultural Coins:
Culture Coins can be used at over 110 cultural centers across Taiwan, as well as at tens of thousands of arts and culture venues, including: brick-and-mortar bookstores (excluding those located in department stores), arts and culture performance venues, theaters showing Taiwanese films, and cultural and creative parks. Please seePartner Stores。。
Culture Coins can be used to buy books and watch movies, and additional benefits are available at select retailers. These include the independent bookstore “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” (spend 200 points to receive an immediate 100-point rebate, with a maximum of 600 bonus points), 50% off performing arts such as musicals and stage plays; organizing group viewings of Taiwanese films offers additional ticket discounts and triggers a points-back mechanism; and pairing the program with an exclusive museum pass grants free admission.
Source: KOCPC Chinese