A UK contest asked residents to predict the start of spring in 2026, with prizes awarded in January 2025.

The "January Pays Your Bills" competition, run by Iliffe Media, ran from January 1 to 25, 2025, asking UK residents to identify the season beginning on March 20, 2026—Spring, Summer, or Autumn. Entries were accepted via SMS or free postal postcards, with a maximum of 25 entries per person. A "pay for two, get two free" SMS bonus offered extra entries. Winners, including one £2,026 prize and three £260 prizes, were drawn randomly and announced online by January 30, 2025. The contest was open to UK residents aged 16 or over in participating areas, excluding Iliffe Media staff and their families.