Grand National Free Bets 2026 and Best Promos

It would be unfair to merely label the Grand National as just a steeplechase race. Rather, it is one of the greatest shows on Earth, and it is a lottery as horses plot their way around a treacherous course filled with daunting hurdles. Aintree and the Grand National have become synonymous with drama. Need we remind you of Becher’s Brook!

But do you want to get your hands on some cracking Grand National free bet deals? We have sifted through and pinpointed four of the best UK bookies for this esteemed event.

The best Grand National bookies

So, which are the best horse racing betting apps in the UK for placing stakes on the Grand National? We have done the groundwork for you and produced a short list, so check them out. We have also mentioned what they are renowned for.

Untangling the bookies’ top Grand National Offers 2026

Now you have seen who made the shortcut for the best Grand National offers, let’s flesh out a bit more detail about their merits.

bet365 – Get £50

An undisputed giant in the betting world, bet365 and the Grand National go together hand in hand. However, just one glance at the horse racing promotions lobby, and it is stacked with ongoing deals, such as Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) and Racing Value, where you will get a payout in disqualified races, and with the Grand National, trust us, that happens a lot! Well, dismounts and pulling up are defining features of this gruelling race.

Compared to other sites, such as SBK, which we will discuss later on, the bet boosts aren’t as big. Nevertheless, the welcome promotion at bet365 is a Bet £10 Get £50 deal, which is middle-of-the-road but equally respectable. Oh, and with a brilliant live stream product too, bet365 is the full package, so they should be your first port of call.

Betway – up to £10 in free bets

Betway remains a familiar name for Grand National bettors, with a focus on weekly rewards and accumulator-friendly features. Its Free Bet Club is the standout: you can earn up to £10 in free bets each week when you stake £25 or more on trebles and accumulators. It’s a structure seasoned backers recognise, though Betway’s version feels more racing-centric than most.

Other bookmakers run similar incentives — Betfred, for example, offers a comparable weekly reward on greyhound bets — but Betway builds in a more personal touch. The Betway Clips feature lets you share predictions and short-form insights, echoing the interactive style seen on newer social-led platforms.

For the Grand National, Betway’s free-bet safety net is often the most useful perk. At last check, the firm offered a £30 matched free bet if your acca loses, with a minimum of three horse racing selections required. It’s a straightforward way to soften the risk on multi-leg bets during one of the busiest weeks in the racing calendar.

Betway has long been viewed as a steady, reliable operator. If you’re creating an account specifically for the Grand National, the combination of weekly rewards and acca insurance gives it a practical appeal for anyone building racing multiples.

Betfred – Claim 2 x £10 acca bets

Betfred gives new customers a strong start for the Grand National with up to £50 in free bets when you stake £10. The offer is split into 3 × £10 free bets and 2 × £10 acca bets, and any unused bonuses expire after 7 days, so timing matters.

The Grand National is famously unpredictable, and while the field size has been reduced in recent years for safety, Betfred still adds value for existing customers. One of the most useful perks is a free bet if your horse finishes second on selected races, covering both win and each-way bets.

With its mix of welcome and ongoing offers, Betfred remains a strong option for anyone betting on the Grand National in 2026.

SBK Grand National Offers

SBK, operated by Smarkets, is the newest mobile-first sportsbook on the list, built entirely around a fast, clean app. It suits punters who like a simple, on-the-go betting experience.

The current welcome offer gives new customers £40 in free bets when you bet £10 at minimum odds of 2.0, with free-bet tokens issued shortly after your qualifying wager settles. It’s straightforward and easy to activate, even if the overall reward is smaller than some rivals.

SBK also runs regular bet boosts and seasonal racing incentives that can lift returns on selected races or accumulators. Grand National markets tend to appear closer to the big day, but if you want a smooth app with quick in-play options and steady boosts, SBK is a solid addition to your betting lineup.

Popular Grand National promos and free bets

Here’s a list of Grand National 2026 brand bonuses:

• Bet365 – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets: New customers only. Deposit and place a qualifying bet of £10 or more, and get £50 in free bets. Min odds and other conditions apply.
• William Hill – Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets: New customers using promo code GN60. Place a £10 bet on the Grand National and get £60 in free bets split between sports and casino games.
• Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets: Register using code GN50, place a £10 bet at odds of 2.0 or higher, and get £50 in free bets.
• Coral – Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets: Place a £5 bet on the Grand National to receive £20 in free bets. Offer valid for new UK customers.
• Paddy Power – Risk-Free Bet Up to £20: Valid: Grand National 2025. Place a bet on the Grand National, and if it loses, get your stake back in cash up to £20.

Faller Offers

This is a decent concession as bookies will return your stake if your horse falls at the first fence. At the Grand National, there are 28 fences to negotiate, and it is a bit of a marathon, stretching over four miles, making it the longest jump racing course in the UK.

Some bookmakers will have something up their sleeve, so keep your eyes peeled in the run-up to the big race.

NRNB (Non Runner No Bet)

An eminently popular deal, a non-runner no bet (NRNB) kind of deal will usually be latched onto. bet365, for example, offers this on selected ante-post races throughout the year, including the Grand National.

If you like to take a longer term view with your predictions, this is worth tapping into.

Extra Place offers

This is also worth exploring as you will be paid out extra for each-way places. Betfred, for example, offers 5 places instead of 4 for some races, and in the Grand National, this can work in your favour!

When is the Grand National 2026?

The Grand National 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, 11 April, with the Aintree Festival running over three days. The National itself remains the centrepiece of the meeting, carrying forward a racing tradition that dates back to 1829.

Who is the favourite for the Grand National 2026?

Early markets for the 2026 Grand National point to a more open field, with Haiti Couleurs and Iroko among the leading candidates at this stage. I Am Maximus, the 2024 champion, also features prominently in the betting, but he is no longer the clear standout favourite heading into the new season.

Signing up for our top Grand National bookie

Do you want to make the most of free bet deals for the Grand National? Our step-by-step guide for signing up for the top-rated bookmaker on this page, which in this case is bet365, will stand you in good stead:

Step 1 – Head over to the main bet365 lobby and click the “Join” button.

Step 2 – Fill in all required fields of the registration form.

Step 3 – Make your first deposit and collect the welcome offer.

Step 4 – Agree to the T&Cs and bet on the Grand National. Good luck!

Tips for Grand National Free Bets and Promos

To enrich your betting experience on the Grand National, we have outlined a few tips that you should keep at the forefront of your mind.

• Hunt for value – Assess the merits of each free bet deal and consider what best suits your needs before signing up.
• Weigh up the stats – As mentioned, the Grand National is a bit of a lottery, so analyse factors such as the weight, age and stamina of the horse before picking up a deal.
• Manage your account – Don’t bet too big or exceed financial expectations. You should aim to bankroll your account well to make wagering on the Grand National more enjoyable.

Grand National Free Bets FAQs

When is the Grand National 2026?

The Grand National 2026 is set for Saturday, 11 April, and it remains one of the standout events of the British racing calendar.

How many horses will line up for the Grand National?

For the 2025 edition, a field of 94 was initially entered, but this is likely to be whittled down to 34.

In past years, there were safety measures taken to reduce the size of the field, but more details will be confirmed nearer the time.

What kinds of Grand National free bet offers can you find at bookies?

Free bet deals come in all forms of guises, but some of the best ones include NRNBs (non-runner no bet), BOG (best odds guaranteed) and extra way places.

It’s worth scouring our recommended bookies to find the deal that suits you.

Which is the best Grand National bookie for free bets?

Our research was extensive, but we unanimously agreed that bet365 is the best for free bet deals. Although Betfred might have more in its library, Bet365 leaves no stone unturned, and with a brilliant live-stream product, what’s there not to like?

Author:

Horse.Bet Team

Updated:

December 13, 2025

Published:

August 09, 2024