Cheltenham Free Bets & Betting Offers 2026
Last Updated 2 weeks ago | By The GrandNational.org.uk StaffOne of the most exciting weeks on the sporting calendar is here, courtesy of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. That means you can start claiming Cheltenham free bets and taking advantage of each bookmaker’s Festival betting offers. We’ve done the leg work of finding the best Cheltenham betting offers & free bets for you, featuring the best Cheltenham free bet offers from bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and more.
Betfred Cheltenham 2026 Betting Offers
Betfred is one of the UK’s biggest bookies, so you know they’ll have plenty of Cheltenham betting offers during the festival. New Betfred customers can boost their Cheltenham kitty by claiming £40 in free bets.
bet365 Cheltenham Free Bets 2026
bet365 always have an excellent variety of Cheltenham promotions for both new and existing customers. Newcomers can get £30 in bet365 Cheltenham free bets. That’s more than enough to get your festival betting pot going.
Paddy Power Cheltenham 2026 Free Bets
Paddy Power’s Cheltenham promotions are always worth checking out. As the Festival approaches, you can expect Extra Places, Free Bets, and a variety of other special offers. Plus, new customers can currently claim £60 in Cheltenham free bets.
BetMGM Cheltenham Betting Offers 2026
BetMGM always go big for the Cheltenham Festival, with wall-to-wall advertising and a first class sign-up offer. £40 in BetMGM Cheltenham free bets is an excellent welcome offer, and their sponsorship of the Champion Chase suggests they’ll have more offers on the way.
William Hill Cheltenham 2026 Free Bets
William Hill is another top betting site set to roll out a range of Cheltenham betting offers during the Festival. Expect Cheltenham Extra Places and other exciting promotions. If you haven’t signed up yet, now’s a great time, with £40 in Cheltenham free bets available to new customers.
Coral Cheltenham 2026 Betting Offers
Coral has a strong association with the Cheltenham Festival through its long-standing sponsorship of the Coral Cup. Alongside their Cheltenham offers, new customers can claim £30 in Coral free bets as part of their welcome promotion.
Ladbrokes Cheltenham Free Bets 2026
Ladbrokes is a household name when it comes to UK betting sites, and their Cheltenham offers consistently match their strong reputation. Right now, new customers can claim £30 in Ladbrokes Cheltenham free bets.
Betfair Cheltenham 2026 Betting Offers
Betfair is best known for its betting exchange, but its standard sports betting offering is just as impressive. Right now, new customers can take advantage of a generous welcome offer and claim £30 in Betfair Cheltenham free bets.
More Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers 2026
Every single bookmaker will have at least one Cheltenham betting offer. Nothing stops you from claiming free bets at multiple sites to boost your betting budget. Below, we’ve listed even more Cheltenham free bets you can claim to boost the fun of the festival!
We feature only the most reputable and reliable betting sites for the Cheltenham Festival. We also understand that everyone has different betting preferences, so you can choose the Cheltenham betting offers that suit you best. If you’re looking for Cheltenham free bet offers tailored to specific festival days or races, our dedicated pages cover all the Festival highlights.
Types of Cheltenham Betting Offer
To help you navigate the wide range of promotions available during the Festival, we’ve grouped the most popular Cheltenham betting offers into categories below. This makes it easier to compare bookmakers and find the deals that best suit your betting style.
Best Odds Guaranteed for Cheltenham
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is one of the most popular Festival promotions. If you place a bet early and the odds on your selection drift before the race starts, you’ll be paid at the bigger starting price if your horse wins. Activation times vary by bookmaker, but BOG generally applies from around 9am or 10am on race day.
Cheltenham Extra Places
With such competitive fields at Cheltenham, finding the winner isn’t always straightforward. While standard each-way terms apply to every race, many betting sites enhance their place terms on selected races by offering extra places. The number of additional places can differ significantly between bookmakers, so comparing offers before you place your bet can provide valuable added value.
Cheltenham Non Runner No Bet races
Ante-post betting in the lead-up to Cheltenham can be risky, as horses may switch targets or miss the Festival altogether. Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) promotions offer protection by refunding your stake if your selection does not run. This allows you to secure an early price without worrying about losing your money should plans change.
Cheltenham Festival Existing Customer Offers
Bookmakers are increasingly rewarding loyal customers during the Festival with exclusive free bet promotions. These offers are often credited automatically on race day, giving you added flexibility to place bets as you choose. It’s always worth checking your account in the build-up to the meeting to see what rewards you may qualify for.
Cheltenham Festival Fallers Insurance
Faller insurance gives bettors extra reassurance in races where jumping errors are always a possibility. If your horse falls during the race, your stake is typically refunded as a free bet, subject to certain terms. These offers are usually available to existing customers and can help soften the blow of an unlucky exit.
Cheltenham Prediction Games
Free-to-play competitions are another way to get involved without risking your own money. Many bookmakers run prediction games where you can win free bets or even cash prizes by correctly selecting winners across multiple races. For example, bet365 runs the 6 Horses Challenge for existing customers, while Paddy Power has introduced similar promotional games in recent years.
Cheltenham Enhanced Odds
Cheltenham Festival favourites often go off at short prices, which can limit their appeal as single bets. To add extra value, bookmakers frequently boost the odds on selected runners for a limited time and stake. Promotions such as Paddy Power’s price boosts, bet365’s Super Boosts and William Hill’s enhanced prices can offer improved returns. Always check the terms, as some enhanced odds are restricted to new customers or have maximum stake limits.
Cheltenham Festival Day 1: Champion Day – 10th March 2026
The Cheltenham Festival race schedule was revamped last year, and there have been a few more tweaks for 2026. Amongst this year’s changes, Thursday will see the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase switch places, meaning the latter becomes the feature race. Check out the changes below to make sure you’re familiar with the new days and times.
| Race Time | Cheltenham Festival Race | Cheltenham Day 1 Favourites |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Supreme Novices | Old Park Star (11/4) |
| 2:00pm | Arkle Chase | Kopek Des Bordes (13/8) |
| 2:40pm | Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Winston Junior (6/1) |
| 3:20pm | Ultima Handicap | Jagwar (4/1) |
| 4:00pm | Unibet Champion Hurdle | Lossiemouth (15/8) |
| 4:40pm | TrustATrader Plate | Madara (4/1) |
| 5:20pm | National Hunt Novices | Backmersackme (9/2) |
Cheltenham Festival Odds correct at 6pm on 9th March 2026 and are subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival Day 2: Ladies Day – 11th March 2026
| Race Time | Cheltenham Festival Race | Cheltenham Day 2 Favourites |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Turners Novices’ Chase | No Drama This End (5/1) |
| 2:00pm | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Romeo Coolio (9/2) |
| 2:40pm | BetMGM Cup | Storm Heart (6/1) |
| 3:20pm | Cross Country Chase | Stumptown (11/4) |
| 4:00pm | Champion Chase | Majborough (10/11) |
| 4:40pm | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual | Be Aware (6/1) |
| 5:20pm | Champion Bumper | Love Sign Daunou (5/1) |
Cheltenham Festival Odds correct at 6pm on 9th March 2026 and are subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – 12th March 2026
| Race Time | Cheltenham Festival Race | Cheltenham Day 3 Favourites |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Ryanair Mares’ Hurdle | Bambino Fever (4/5) |
| 2:00pm | Jack Richards Novices’ | Koktail Divin (4/1) |
| 2:40pm | Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle | Wodhooh (8/11) |
| 3:20pm | Stayers’ Hurdle | Teahupoo (13/5) |
| 4:00pm | Ryanair Chase | Fact To File (8/13) |
| 4:40pm | Pertemps Network Final | Supremely West (4/1) |
| 5:20pm | Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Jeriko Du Reponet (4/1) |
Cheltenham Festival Odds correct at 6pm on 9th March 2026 and are subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4: Gold Cup Day – 13th March 2026
| Race Time | Cheltenham Festival Race | Cheltenham Day 4 Favourites |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Square D’Alboni (Evens) |
| 2:00pm | William Hill County Hurdle | Murcia (6/1) |
| 2:40pm | Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | Dinoblue (6/4) |
| 3:20pm | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | Doctor Steinberg (3/1) |
| 4:00pm | Cheltenham Gold Cup | Gaelic Warrior (4/1) |
| 4:40pm | St James’s Place Hunters Chase | Wonderwall (5/1) |
| 5:20pm | Martin Pipe Conditional | Kel Histoire (6/1) |
Cheltenham Festival Odds correct at 6pm on 9th March 2026 and are subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Info
It’s all well and good having Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets, but you’ll need to make the most of them. We’ve focused on the four biggest races of the Festival – the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase, the Ryanair Chase and of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup – to bring you up to speed in an instant. Whether it’s history, trends, runners or race day betting offers you want, check out our pages ahead of the races.
We’ve also got those all important Cheltenham betting tips, the Cheltenham favourites to look out for, and a dedicated page to catch up with the Cheltenham Festival results as the drama unfolds.
Of course, our site is about far more than just the Cheltenham Festival. There are always plenty of Grand National betting offers and all-year-round sign up offers for you to make the most of.
Cheltenham Free Bets & Betting Offers FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about the best betting sites for Cheltenham free bets and betting offers for 2026.
Who is giving free bets for Cheltenham?
Several top betting sites, including bet365, Paddy Power, and Ladbrokes, are offering Cheltenham Festival free bets for new customers who sign up and place qualifying bets. Many also extend Cheltenham free bet offers to existing customers, with Paddy Power and William Hill among the standout options.
Which horses are likely to win Cheltenham?
There are a number of strong Cheltenham favourites this year. Lulamba is expected to go off as a short priced favourite for the Arkle, before The New Lion takes on the field in the Champion Hurdle. Beat The Bat is one of the warmest favourites on day two, while many will be eyeing up the likes of Bambino Fever, Lossiemouth and Fact To File in a potential day three favourites treble.
Are bet365 giving free bets for Cheltenham?
Whether you’re a new or existing bet365 customer, there’s a strong chance you’ll have access to Cheltenham free bets. New customers can sign up, place a £10 qualifying bet, and receive £30 in free bets. Existing customers have also received free bets in past Cheltenham Festivals, and the free-to-play 6 Horses Challenge offers the chance to win a big cash prize.
Is the biggest Cheltenham Festival bonus always the best one?
Don’t let the bonus amount be the only factor when choosing the best Cheltenham offers. Always read the terms and conditions, including wagering requirements, minimum deposits, and qualifying odds. This will help you determine whether a bonus truly offers the best value for you.
Is there a catch to Cheltenham free bets?
Free bets come with no risk to your own money, as you’re wagering with a free token. However, unlike a real money bet, your winnings won’t include the free bet stake, meaning the payout may be slightly lower than expected.
Do I always need to deposit money to get a Cheltenham bonus?
Some betting sites go a step further by offering no-deposit Cheltenham offers, allowing new players to claim a bonus without wagering their own money. These promotions are typically one-time offers and exclusive to new customers, so be sure to check the terms before signing up.
The other way you could earn yourself a Cheltenham bonus is by taking part in free-to-play games, with an increasing number of betting sites awarding free bets to their existing customers.
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The GrandNational.org.uk Staff
