The Cheltenham Festival is the busiest week of the jump racing year, and bookmakers compete hard for your custom. That means plenty of Cheltenham free bets, extra places and price promotions. Here’s when the 2027 Festival takes place, the main types of racing offer, how to use a welcome free bet on the races, and how to keep your betting under control during four busy days.
Cheltenham 2027 at a glance
- Dates: Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027.
- Format: four days and 28 races at Cheltenham Racecourse.
- Headline races: Champion Hurdle (Tue), Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wed), Stayers’ Hurdle (Thu) and the Gold Cup (Fri).
- Common offers: best odds guaranteed, extra places, money back specials and new-customer free bets.
- All offers are 18+ and T&Cs apply.
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2027?
The 2027 Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March, according to the Jockey Club’s official Festival page. There are seven races a day, so 28 in total, with a championship race as the highlight of each afternoon.
Race times and sponsors can change closer to the time. For that reason, it’s worth checking the official racecard in the week before.
The big races, day by day
| Day | Date | Feature race |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Champion Day | Tuesday 16 March | Champion Hurdle |
| Day 2 | Wednesday 17 March | Queen Mother Champion Chase |
| Day 3 | Thursday 18 March | Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase |
| Day 4: Gold Cup Day | Friday 19 March | Cheltenham Gold Cup |
The Champion Hurdle is the two-mile hurdling championship. The Queen Mother Champion Chase is its equivalent over fences. On Thursday, the Stayers’ Hurdle is the championship for staying hurdlers over about three miles. Finally, the Gold Cup on Friday is the biggest race of the jumps season, run over more than three and a quarter miles.
Around these, the cards are packed with novice races and big-field handicaps. Those handicaps matter for betting, because large fields usually mean better each-way terms.
Types of Cheltenham free bets and racing offers
Cheltenham free bets and racing specials come in a few forms. Welcome offers are for new customers. Racing specials are usually open to existing customers too. Here are the main ones you’ll see.
Best odds guaranteed (BOG)
You take a price on a horse. If its starting price (SP) ends up bigger, you’re paid at the SP instead. It costs nothing extra and simply protects you if the price drifts. Many bookmakers offer it on UK and Irish racing, but it can have limits, such as only applying to bets placed after a certain time. Check the terms.
Extra places
Here a bookmaker pays one or more extra places on each-way bets in selected races. In a big handicap that normally pays four places, you might get paid for fifth or sixth too. That makes a real difference to each-way bets, but compare the odds as well, since prices can be shorter.
Money back specials
These refund your stake in certain situations, for example if your horse finishes second, or if a particular horse wins. Refunds are usually free bets and capped, and they often apply to one named race only.
Free bet welcome offers
The classic “bet £10, get free bets” sign-up offers run all year, not just at Cheltenham. Some bookmakers do tailor them to racing around the Festival. Our free bets comparison lists the current ones, and each shows the key terms at a glance.
How to use Cheltenham free bets from a welcome offer
Using Cheltenham free bets from a sign-up offer is straightforward, as long as you check a few things first.
- Check the qualifying bet. Some offers need the first bet on football or at a set minimum odds. Our qualifying bets guide explains the rules.
- Check the free bet can be used on racing. Some free bets are limited to certain sports or markets.
- Watch the expiry date. Free bets often last around seven days. If you sign up weeks before the Festival, they may expire first.
- Check each-way is allowed. Not every free bet can be placed each-way.
- Remember the stake isn’t returned. Free bets usually pay winnings only. Our how free bets work guide explains why longer odds often suit them better.
If you’re new to all this, our easy sports offers are the simplest to claim.
Each-way betting at Cheltenham
Many Festival races have big fields and competitive prices. As a result, each-way betting is especially popular at Cheltenham. A handicap with 16 or more runners normally pays four places at 1/4 of the odds, and extra-place offers can push that further.
Remember that an each-way bet is two bets, so £5 each-way costs £10. Our each-way betting guide explains place terms with a worked example. To see exactly what a bet would return, try the each-way calculator.
Staying in control during a big festival
Four days, seven races a day and constant promotions can add up quickly. It’s easy to bet on races you had no plan for, or to chase a losing day. So a few simple habits help:
- Set a budget for the whole week before Tuesday, and don’t top it up.
- Use deposit limits. Every UKGC-licensed bookmaker lets you set them in your account.
- Pick your races in advance rather than betting on all 28.
- Don’t chase losses. Cheltenham free bets are a bonus, not a reason to bet more.
- Take a break if it stops being fun. Our responsible gambling page lists free tools and support.
Free bet offers ahead of Cheltenham
These are some of the easiest sign-up offers to claim right now. New customers only, and T&Cs apply:
Free bet offers
Paddy Power Sports Easy Low risk
£30 in free bets
18+ · Code YSKAST · £5 bet at evens+ · £30 free bets · 30 days · Debit/Apple Pay/bank
Full T&Cs
18+ · New Customer offer - Use promo code YSKAST. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
Kwiff Sports Easy Very low risk
£40 in free bets
18+ · £10 bet at 2.0+ in 5 days · 4 x £10 free bets (3+ legs each) · 7-day expiry
Full T&Cs
New UK customers. £10 cash bet, min. odds 2.0, in 5 days of deposit. Get 4x £10 Free Bets: Single, 2 Accas & Bet Builder (3+ legs each). Excl. cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware
Unibet Sports Easy Very low risk
£40 in free bets
18+ · Opt in · Dep & bet £20 at 2.0+ in 7 days · £40 free bets · 7 days · Debit/bank only
Full T&Cs
18+ | GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in, deposit and Bet £20+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £40 in Free Bets within 7 days of registration. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
Sky Bet Easy Low risk
£30 in free bets
18+ · First £5+ single/EW bet at evens+ · 3 x £10 bet tokens · 30 days · Stake not returned
Full T&Cs
18+ · New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
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Compare every free bet offer →
Cheltenham free bets FAQ
The 2027 Festival runs from Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March, with seven races each day. The Gold Cup is on the Friday. Usually, yes. Most sports welcome offers give free bets that can be used on horse racing. Check the terms for any sport or market restrictions, and make sure the free bets won’t expire before the race you want. If you take a price and the horse’s starting price is bigger, you’re paid at the bigger price. It usually applies to UK and Irish racing and may have conditions, so check the bookmaker’s terms. They can be, especially on each-way bets in big handicaps. However, a bookmaker paying extra places may offer shorter odds, so compare the price as well as the terms. Only for welcome offers, which are for new customers. Racing specials such as best odds guaranteed and extra places are often available to existing customers too.When is the Cheltenham Festival 2027?
Can I use a welcome free bet on Cheltenham races?
What does best odds guaranteed mean?
Are extra places worth it at Cheltenham?
Do I need a new account for Cheltenham offers?
18+ only. Free bets and welcome offers are for new customers and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, visit our responsible gambling page or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Free advice is also available from BeGambleAware.org.
