Betting
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24th February 2026
02:38pm GMT
SportsJOE is here to guide bettors in Ireland to the best Free Bets for Cheltenham races available in 2026.
As we review each top welcome bonuses, betting features, app experience, and market coverage, we help bettors choose the platform that fits their betting style.
For racing fans in Ireland, Cheltenham free bet offers give them the chance to back Festival favourites with added value from leading bookmakers.
In this page, SportsJOE will compare the best Cheltenham free bets available in Ireland for this year, helping you choose the sportsbook that suits your betting style, budget and preferences.
We’ve broken down the top options in one place, whether you’re looking for sign-up deals or race-specific promotions.
As this page contains affiliate links, for transparency we recommend that you read our full betting content policy in the SportsJOE affiliate manifesto here.
Since there are so many available Cheltenham free bet offers, what can make a real difference to your festival betting experience is finding the right bookmaker.
In order for you to pick the sportsbook that fits your needs, we at SportsJOE assess each site on bonus value, ease of use and long-term rewards.
Take a look at our complete breakdown of current sportsbook promotions for year-round value beyond Cheltenham.
| Sportsbook | Sportsbook Welcome Bonus |
| Sky Bet | £50 in Free Acca Bets, When You Place a £10 Acca |
| Paddy Power | £50 in Bet Builder Bets, When You Stake £10 |
| Betfair | Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets |
| William Hill | Get £40 in free bets when you deposit & bet £10 |
| bet365 | Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets |
| Betfred | €50 In Free Bets, When You Bet €10 |
| Novibet | Get €70 in Free Bets |
| Netbet | Bet €20, Get €20 |
| Kwiff | Bet €10, Get €10 in Free Bets |
| Grosvenor | Bet €10 and Get Double The Odds |
| BetVictor | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets |
| BOYLE Sports | Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets 25% Bet Builder Boost |
| Unibet | Money Back As Bonus Up To €40 |
| Swifty Sports | Bet €10 Get €20 In Free Bets |
| Betrino | Bet €25, Get €50 in Free Bets |
The welcome offer of Sky Bet rewards you as a new customer with £50 in free acca bets when you place a £10 accumulator.
You must usually include at least five selections at minimum odds of 2.0 (1/1) in your first acca in order to qualify.
After the bet has settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens for further accumulator bets, with winnings paid out but the free-bet stake not returned.
This way, the offer is best suited to you if you are a player who enjoys multi-leg football accumulators and want extra value on your first wager.
The current new-customer deal at Paddy Power gives you £50 in Bet Builder bets when you stake £10 on a qualifying Bet Builder market.
Once you’ve placed your first £10 Bet Builder and it settles, the bonus is credited as free bets you can use on future Bet Builder selections.
While the free-bet stakes are not returned, winnings from these free bets are paid out normally.
If you are a fan of customised markets, this offer is designed for you as it adds extra value to your first Bet Builder wager with Paddy Power.
The sign-up offer of Betfair gives you as a new customer £50 in free bets when you place a £10 qualifying bet.
After your £10 wager is settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that you can use on a range of sports and markets. The free-bet stake itself isn’t returned, while winnings are paid out as cash.
If you are looking for extra value on your first bet with one of the biggest sportsbook brands, then this deal suits you.
You get you £40 in free bets after you make a deposit and place a £10 qualifying wager in William Hill’s new customer promotion.
After you place and settle your initial £10 bet, the bonus is paid out as free bet tokens you can use on future sports bets.
You get you £40 in free bets after you make a deposit and place a £10 qualifying wager in William Hill’s new customer promotion. After you place and settle your initial £10 bet, the bonus is paid out as free bet tokens you can use on future sports bets.
The tokens typically have an expiration period, but you get the winnings from these free bets returned as cash, excluding the stake.
As the offer is aimed at giving you more chances to win after your opening stake, it adds extra value to your first bet with William Hill.
As a new customer, you get £30 in free bets when you place a £10 qualifying wager thanks to the welcome deal by bet365.
Once your initial £10 bet has settled, the free bets are credited and can be used on a variety of sports markets.
Excluding the free bet stake, the winnings from these free bets are paid out in cash, while the tokens usually come with an expiration date.
The value of your first bet with bet365 is boosted thanks to this promotion, as you are then able to place extra bets without risking more of your own money.
Betfred: €50 In Free Bets, When You Bet €10
The new customer promotion of Betfred gives you €50 in free bets after placing a €10 qualifying wager.
After your first bet is settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that can be used across a variety of sports markets.
From these free bets, the winnings are paid out as cash, but the free bet stake is not returned.
If you are a bettor looking for extra value on your opening wager with Betfred, then this offer is ideal.
The welcome promotion of Novibet rewards you with €70 in free bets as a new customer, after you make a qualifying first deposit and bet.
Once your initial wager settles the bonus is credited as free bet tokens, which you can use across a variety of sports markets.
From these free bets, the winnings are paid out in cash, however the free bet stake itself is not returned.
The deal gives extra value on your opening bets and is designed to help you explore Novibet’s sportsbook as a new player.
The new customer deal at NetBet gives you €20 in free bets after you have placed a €20 qualifying wager.
After your first bet settles, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that you can use on a range of sports markets.
The winnings from these free bets are paid out in cash, but the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Thanks to this offer, you get extra value to your first bet with NetBet and lets you try out the sportsbook with minimal risk.
The welcome promotion at Kwiff gives you as a new customer €10 in free bets when you place a €10 qualifying wager.
After your first bet is settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that can be used on a variety of sports markets. Winnings from these free bets are paid out as cash, while the free bet stake itself is not returned.
For trying Kwiff’s sportsbook with extra value on your initial bet, this offer is ideal for you as a bettor.
The promotion at Grosvenor gives you as a new customer the chance to double the odds on your €10 qualifying bet.
After your first wager is placed, any winnings from that bet are paid out at enhanced odds, giving extra value without increasing your stake.
If you are a bettor who is looking to maximise returns on an initial bet and explore Grosvenor Bet’s sportsbook with a boosted potential payout, then this offer is ideal for you.
The welcome deal at BetVictor rewards you as a new customer with £30 in free bets after placing a £10 qualifying wager.
After your first bet settles, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that can be used across a variety of sports markets.
From these free bets, winnings are paid out in cash, while the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Thanks to this promotion, you get added extra value to your first bet with BetVictor and you can explore the sportsbook with minimal risk.
The welcome promotion at BOYLE Sports gives customers £40 in free bets when they place a £10 qualifying wager, plus a 25% boost on Bet Builder bets.
Once your first bet settles, the free bets are credited as tokens for use across the sportsbook, while the Bet Builder boost increases potential winnings on multi-leg selections.
The stake isn’t returned, while winnings from free bets are paid in cash.
If you are a fan of accumulators and Bet Builders looking for extra value on your opening bets, this offer is ideal.
Thanks to Unibet’s new customer promotion, you get money back as a bonus up to €40 if your first qualifying bet loses.
You’ll receive a bonus credited as free bets, instead of losing your stake, so you can use it on a variety of sports markets.
From these free bets, the winnings are paid in cash, however the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
For your first bet, this offer is designed to give extra security and adds value while you explore Unibet’s sportsbook.
Swifty Sports’ welcome promotion gives you as a new customer €20 in free bets when you place a €10 qualifying wager.
After your first bet has settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens which you can use across a range of sports markets.
The winnings from these free bets are paid out in cash, but the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
If you are a new player, thanks to this offer you get extra value on your initial bet and lets you explore Swifty Sports’ sportsbook with minimal risk.
The welcome promotion at Betrino gives you as a new customer €50 in free bets when you place a €25 qualifying wager.
Once your initial bet has settled, the bonus is credited as free bet tokens that you can use across a variety of sports markets.
From these bets, the winnings are paid in cash, however the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
The offer adds extra value to your opening bet and is ideal for new players looking to explore Betrino’s sportsbook.
The free bets and sign-up offers for 2026 for Cheltenham are designed to give punters in Ireland extra value during the biggest week in jump racing.
This means that the leading bookmakers are rolling out enhanced welcome deals and race-specific promotions.
Sky Bet’s £50 in free ACCA bets when you place a £10 accumulator, Paddy Power’s £50 in free bet builders when you stake £10, and Betfair’s bet £10, get £50 in free bets deal are among the standout offers for 2026.
Before you join, each promotion comes with key terms, like minimum odds requirements, wagering rules on free bets and expiry periods that may be limited to Cheltenham week.
It’s worth for you to compare them carefully to find the one that best suits your betting style, as these offers differ in structure.
For multi-race strategies, accumulator bonuses can be ideal, while bet builder and standard free bet offers may suit single-race markets like the Champion Hurdle or the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
If you use free bets strategically on major races with large fields and strong each-way value, it can help maximise their impact.
Remember that sticking to bookmakers that are licensed and trusted in Ireland, means a safer and more reliable betting experience throughout the festival for you as a punter.
They are promotional offers from bookmakers that give you bonus betting funds to use specifically during the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Free Bets allow you to place bets without risking your own money, though typically the stake itself isn’t returned with winnings.
For customers, both existing and new, these offers are popular and can come in various forms.
They include sign-up bonuses, enhanced odds, or money-back deals.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Throughout the festival this year, here are all the different types of Cheltenham free bets offers that you can expect to see:
These are targeted at new customers. Once you have signed up and placed your qualifying bet, the bookmaker awards free bets, often in a set value like £10–£50.
The bookmaker matches your initial deposit up to a certain amount with free bets, thanks to deposit match bonuses.
If you deposit £20, for example, you receive £20 in bonus funds.
Up to a certain amount, these offers refund losing bets, typically in the form of free bets.
For example, you get your stake back as a bonus rather than cash, if your selection loses.
On specific races at Cheltenham Festival, bookmakers may offer higher odds than normal. This gives you better potential returns, and these often apply to big races or selected markets.
The number of finishing positions that pay out on each-way bet is increased by extra-places promotions.
Meanwhile, each-way boosts increase the payout for place portions of bets.
NRNB promotions refund your stake as a free bet, in the case that your horse doesn’t run. This means extra security for you when betting on races with runners that aren’t certain.
Thanks to Best Odds Guaranteed, if the starting price of your selection is higher than the odds you took, the bookmaker pays out at the higher SP, guaranteeing the best possible return for you.
During the Cheltenham Festival, these offers reward you with free bets, boosted odds, or special bonuses for repeat activity or accumulators, if you are a regular bettor.
If you are a newcomer, when you use Cheltenham free bets you should start by understanding simple bet types such as win, each-way and accumulators, and always check the odds before placing a wager.
You should take your time to research horse form, trainer records and likely ground conditions as this can give your bets a stronger foundation rather than relying only on hype.
The free bets for Cheltenham Festival are best used strategically on high-profile races like the Gold Cup, where deeper markets and competitive fields can offer better value while helping to reduce overall risk.
Ultimately, you should set a budget, know your limits and remember that betting should stay enjoyable and responsible throughout the festival.
Online sports betting is fully legal in Ireland, when you use an operator that is licensed and regulated by the Revenue Commissioners or other recognised authorities.
To make sure that your money is protected and safe, you should choose licensed bookmakers. They also ensure that your money is protected, bets are settled fairly, and promotions are transparent.
Gambling responsibly is just as important, as you should set deposit limits, track your betting activity, and avoid chasing losses.
Support from trusted organisations such as GambleAware or the National Centre for Problem Gambling (NCPG) is available if you ever feel that your gambling is becoming a problem.
They provide you with advice, tools and confidential help to keep your betting under control and safe.
For punters in Ireland, some of the largest bonuses for Cheltenham Festival come from trusted bookmakers like Sky Bet, Paddy Power and Betfair.
Their offers include free bets on accumulators, bet builders, and bet £10, get £50 style promotions. These deals are typically available during sign-up and select major races.
Typically, you should open a new account for the new customer offers, make a qualifying deposit or place a minimum stake, and then the bookmaker credits free bets to your account.
If you stake £10 on an accumulator or single race, for example, you could unlock £50 in free bets to use on Cheltenham races.
Yes, there are. Many bookmakers reward loyal customers with ongoing promotions, including enhanced odds, free bet refunds on losing bets, or free bet credits for betting on specific Festival races.
You should each bookmaker’s terms to see which deals are available for existing users.
They vary by bookmaker. Free bets may have minimum odds, must be used within a set timeframe (often 7–30 days), and winnings from free bets may exclude the stake.
You should make sure to always read the T&Cs before using your free bet.
When it comes to Cheltenham, most free bet promotions go live in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Many enhanced offers appear from early February, while major sign-up bonuses may remain available until the first day of the festival.
Free bets generally can be used across most festival races, but some offers are restricted to specific markets, such as accumulators, the Gold Cup, or race-specific bet builders.
Make sure to always check the promotion terms before you place your bet.
You are required to place a qualifying bet to receive free bets or bonuses from “bet and get” offers, while “no deposit” free bets are credited to your account without requiring an initial stake.
While less common, the latter provides a risk-free way to explore the markets at Cheltenham.
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