What first rights are

First rights are an exclusive renewal window that lets prior-year sponsors claim a sponsorship before it opens to the general public. Chamberly tracks holders by email and quantity, monitors expiration dates daily, and automatically transitions sponsorships to public sale when the window closes.

1. You assign one or more holders to a sponsorship — each holder has an email and a quantity.

2. The sponsorship starts in not_yet_available until the renewal window opens.

3. When the window opens, availability flips to first_rights. Only listed holders can claim.

4. When the window closes (or all rights are claimed), availability flips to public.

5. Once total inventory is sold, availability becomes sold_out.

• Reward loyal sponsors with priority access to flagship inventory.

• Reduce sponsor churn by giving prior buyers time to renew before competitors swoop in.

• Forecast revenue early — you know what will renew before public sale opens.

• Set the renewal window 30–60 days before public sale to give sponsors time to budget.

• Combine first rights with an automated reminder email so holders don't miss their window.

• Use the rollover wizard at year-end to auto-assign holders based on prior purchases.

Can a holder claim less than their assigned quantity?
Yes. Remaining quantity stays available to that holder until the window closes.

What happens to unclaimed quantity at expiration?
It transitions to public sale automatically when the daily Inngest cron runs at midnight UTC.

Do holders see a discount?
Not by default — first rights is about access, not pricing. Layer a coupon if you want to offer renewal pricing.

• Assigning first-rights holders

• The annual rollover wizard