Free Bets for Big Sporting Events in 2025

As of Thursday, June 12, 2025, the sporting calendar is heating up, and with it, the opportunities to grab some fantastic free bet offers from UK bookmakers. Big sporting events are prime times for betting sites to roll out their most generous promotions, attracting both new and existing customers with enhanced odds, risk-free bets, and lucrative “bet & get” deals.

Here’s a look at the major new betting offers in 2025 where you can expect to find the best free bet offers, and what types of promotions to keep an eye out for.

Major Sporting Events in 2025 & Expected Free Bet Offers

1. Horse Racing: The Festivals are Key

• Royal Ascot (June 17-21, 2025 – Currently underway!): This is the pinnacle of the flat racing season in the UK, and bookmakers pull out all the stops.
  • Expected Offers:
    • Enhanced “Bet & Get” Welcome Offers: e.g., “Bet £10 Get £50/£60 in Free Bets” (often higher than standard offers).
    • Extra Place Races: On many races, bookmakers will pay out on 4th or even 5th place for each-way bets, increasing your chances of a return.
    • Money Back Specials: e.g., “Money back as a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd/3rd to the SP favourite.”
    • Odds Boosts: Daily price boosts on popular horses or specific race outcomes.
• Cheltenham Festival (March 11-14, 2025): The jewel in the National Hunt crown. Similar to Ascot, expect a deluge of racing-specific offers.
• Grand National (April 3-5, 2025): The world’s most famous steeplechase attracts huge betting interest.
  • Expected Offers: Massive “Bet & Get” offers, extra places (often 5, 6, or even 7 places paid), and money-back specials if your horse falls or refuses.

2. Football: Tournaments and Finals are Goldmines

• UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 (July 2-27, 2025 – Switzerland): Major international tournaments for women’s football are growing, and so are the betting offers.
  • Expected Offers:
    • Match-specific Free Bets: Bet on a game, get a free bet for the next.
    • Enhanced Odds: Boosted prices on favourites or specific goalscorers.
    • Bet Builder Free Bets: Offers specifically for building multi-leg bets on games.
    • Early Payout Offers: (e.g., bet365’s “2 Goals Ahead Early Payout”).
• FIFA Club World Cup (June 14 – July 13, 2025 – USA): An expanded 32-team tournament featuring top clubs globally.
  • Expected Offers: Similar to major international tournaments, look for Bet & Get offers, enhanced odds on big teams, and potentially money-back specials for key matches.
• Champions League Final (May 2025): The biggest club game in Europe.
• FA Cup Final (May 2025): UK’s premier domestic cup final.
• Start of Premier League Season (August 2025): The kick-off of the new season always brings a wave of new customer offers and existing customer boosts.

3. Tennis: Grand Slams Serve Up Deals

• The Championships, Wimbledon (June 30 – July 13, 2025): The iconic grass-court Grand Slam.
  • Expected Offers:
    • “Bet X Get Y” on specific matches or outright winners.
    • In-play free bets: Place a bet on a match, get a free bet for a live market.
    • Enhanced odds: Boosted prices on top players.
    • Accumulator boosts: Extra winnings for successful tennis accumulators.

4. Rugby: Six Nations and World Cup Warm-ups

• Six Nations Championship (Jan 31 – Mar 15, 2025): The premier Northern Hemisphere rugby tournament.
  • Expected Offers:
    • Money back if your team loses by a small margin.
    • Enhanced odds on match winners or try scorers.
    • Free bets for scoring tries in specific matches.
• Women’s Rugby World Cup (August 22 – Sep 27, 2025 – England): A major tournament for the UK, likely to see significant promotional activity.

5. Golf: The Majors

• The Open Championship (July 13-20, 2025 – Royal Portrush): The oldest golf major returns to Northern Ireland.
• US Open (June 12-15, 2025 – Oakmont): Currently underway!
  • Expected Offers:
    • Each-way extra places: Bookmakers often pay out on 6, 7, or even 8 places instead of the standard 5.
    • Free bets for backing the winner.
    • Money back if your player finishes 2nd/3rd.

6. Formula 1: High-Octane Offers

• British Grand Prix (July 3-6, 2025 – Silverstone): The home race often gets special attention.
  • Expected Offers:
    • Enhanced odds on race winners or pole position.
    • Free bets for backing a specific driver.
    • Money back if your driver retires.

7. Other Notable Events:

• NFL London Games (October 2025): American Football continues to grow in the UK, leading to unique offers.
• World Athletics Championships (September 13-21, 2025 – Tokyo): Track and field offers a variety of markets for free bets.
• World Darts Championship (Dec 2024 – Jan 2025): A festive favourite with plenty of betting opportunities.

How to Maximize Your Free Bets During Big Events:

1. Open Multiple Accounts: This is the golden rule. Each major event will see different bookmakers offering unique welcome bonuses. Claiming several allows you to maximize your free bet potential.
2. Look for Enhanced Welcome Offers: During big events, bookmakers often temporarily boost their standard “Bet £10 Get £X” offers to be more generous.
3. Check Existing Customer Promotions: Don’t forget your existing accounts. Sites like bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power, and Sky Bet will have daily or event-specific offers for loyal players (Odds Boosts, Money Back, Acca Insurance, Free Bet Clubs).
4. Read the Terms & Conditions: This is paramount. Pay attention to:
   • Minimum odds for qualifying bets and free bets.
   • Expiry dates for claiming and using free bets.
   • Wagering requirements (ideally, look for free bets where winnings are paid as cash).
   • Excluded payment methods (e.g., e-wallets sometimes don’t qualify for welcome offers).
5. Act Fast: The best free bet offers for big events are often time-limited and can be pulled or changed quickly.
6. Gamble Responsibly: Free bets are a bonus, not a guarantee of profit. Always bet within your means and for enjoyment.

Big sporting events in 2025 provide the perfect backdrop for a flurry of exciting free bet opportunities. By staying informed and strategic, you can significantly enhance your betting experience throughout the year.