Pepsi Is Coming for Coca-Cola With a Big Deal

At some point in the 1980s, I took the Pepsi Challenge, a marketing campaign that had fans taste test Pepsi and Coca-Cola without being able to see the label. I think it may have been at the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, though I honestly can’t recall exactly where it took place. I do remember which soda I chose—I chose Coke.

The Pepsi Challenge is turning 50 this year, and to celebrate, Pepsi is coming for Coke once again. This time it’s pitting Pepsi Zero Sugar against Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, with an especially big push on National Have a Coke Day (May 8) in the city where Coke is from.

If you happen to be in Atlanta this week, you may have the chance to try the new Pepsi Challenge in person. If you’re not in Atlanta, Pepsi invites you to host your own taste test by offering fans a free Pepsi Challenge at-home kit. Here’s how to get it.

How to Get a Free Pepsi Challenge At-Home Kit

Pepsi revived the Pepsi Challenge earlier this year at the Super Bowl in New Orleans and is now on a tour of cities across the U.S., once again giving people the chance to do a hidden-label taste test and pick their favorite.

From May 8 to May 11, the challenge will take place in Coke’s hometown of Atlanta at various locations, including The Interlock, Colony Square, Park Tavern, and Chastain Art Fest.

Since May 8 also happens to be National Have a Coke Day, Pepsi is bringing the competition up a notch by offering fans the chance to win a free at-home taste test when visiting its TikTok page starting on May 8 at noon EST.

The only catch? You’ll have to purchase two 10-packs of Pepsi Zero Sugar Mini Cans to qualify for an at-home kit.

If you’re scratching your head about this, we’re right there with you. While it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to buy more soda to get two free ones, Pepsi seems confident its fans will happily throw two 10-packs in their shopping cart.

But if you’re not one of those fans and still want to “let your taste decide”, be sure to check out Pepsi’s website to see when the Pepsi Challenge is coming to a city near you.