If you’re an NBA (or MLB) fan, you’re probably familiar with Taco Bell’s propensity for giving away tacos during high-stakes games. If you’re not a fan, you can still get yourself a free taco through its “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” promotion, if you can force yourself to pay attention.
Here’s how it works: The NBA finals start on Thursday, May 31 and may run as long as Game 7 on June 16, if a Game 7 is necessary. If one team wins a game on the other team’s court, everyone in America wins a free Doritos Locos Tacos. If that happens, you can collect your taco on June 18 from 2 to 6 p.m., while supplies last. If you’re registered on Taco Bell’s website or app, you can order and pick up all day (no delivery).
If you’re wondering what the hell a Doritos Locos Tacos is, Taco Bell’s website says it has “the same great taste of a Crunchy Taco—just like its supreme version—but with the shell made out of Doritos tortilla chips.”
Whether or not you find pure joy in this concoction may depend upon which team you’re rooting for. I speak from (somewhat painful) experience, as Taco Bell so kindly reminded me in a press release:
Taco Bell’s first “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” appearance took place in 2016, where the Golden State Warriors “stole” Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning everyone a free Doritos Locos Tacos and starting a new taco tradition for years to come.
Last year, the tradition continued with the same two teams in the NBA Finals and the Golden State Warriors “stealing” Game 3 while on the road in Cleveland.
I’m from Cleveland, so you can believe me when I say that a free taco does little to ease the pain of a home court loss in the NBA finals. I’m not holding a grudge, though, because ultimately things turned out just fine for us in 2016 (we’re not here to talk about 2017 or 2018).
For more information—plus some wild tacos-as-basketballs graphics—visit the “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” website.
For more from Lifehacker, be sure to follow us on Instagram @lifehackerdotcom.