Tomorrow, the anticipated Cheltenham Festival 2026 kicks off, presenting an exciting four days of incredible horse racing action. To earn potential bonus bets ahead of tomorrow, players will be pleased to hear that the iconic William Hill Sportsbook is offering just that. New bettors who create an account with the William Hill Sportsbook and complete a minimum bet of £10 can claim £40 in free bets!
This is an excellent way to kick start your time at the sportsbook and earn potential bonus bets to use on Cheltenham betting. Players can look forward to some leading races, including the Champion Hurdle and of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. To find out more about the William Hill Cheltenham Festival offer and how to redeem it, keep reading.
William Hill Bonus Offer | Get £40 in Free Bets When you Deposit & Bet £10 |
|---|---|
Min. Bet | £10 |
Min. Age | 18+ |
William Hill Mobile App | Available on iOS and Android |
Free Bets Expiry | 7 days after redemption |
William Hill Sportsbook Bonus T&Cs
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad
Cheltenham Festival 2026
The four-day Cheltenham Festival returns to Cheltenham Racecourse from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026, bringing together the very best horses, jockeys, and trainers in National Hunt racing. Across the week, fans can enjoy 28 races, including several championship contests such as the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup. Below is a day-by-day breakdown of the scheduled races.
Tuesday: Champion Day (10 March)
Time | Race |
1:20 pm | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
2:00 pm | Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) |
2:40 pm | Juvenile Handicap Hurdle |
3:20 pm | Ultima Handicap Chase |
4:00 pm | Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) |
4:40 pm | TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase |
5:20 pm | National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase |
Champion Day traditionally opens the festival with a huge atmosphere, headlined by the prestigious Champion Hurdle, one of the most anticipated hurdling races of the season.
Wednesday: Ladies’ Day (11 March)
Time | Race |
1:20 pm | Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
2:00 pm | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) |
2:40 pm | Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle |
3:20 pm | Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase |
4:00 pm | Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) |
4:40 pm | Grand Annual Handicap Chase |
5:20 pm | Champion Bumper |
Ladies’ Day is famous for its lively crowds and competitive racing, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase providing the highlight for elite two-mile chasers.
Thursday: St Patrick’s Thursday (12 March)
Time | Race |
1:20 pm | Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle |
2:00 pm | Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase |
2:40 pm | Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
3:20 pm | Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
4:00 pm | Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) |
4:40 pm | Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle |
5:20 pm | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Cup Handicap Chase |
St Patrick’s Thursday is especially popular with Irish racing fans and features the Stayers’ Hurdle, the championship race for long-distance hurdlers.
Friday: Gold Cup Day (13 March)
Time | Race |
1:20 pm | Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) |
2:00 pm | County Handicap Hurdle |
2:40 pm | Mares’ Steeple Chase |
3:20 pm | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
4:00 pm | Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) |
4:40 pm | Festival Hunter Chase |
5:20 pm | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle |
Gold Cup Day delivers the grand finale of the festival, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup widely regarded as the most prestigious race in National Hunt racing.
William Hill Cheltenham Welcome Offer
With the Cheltenham Festival fast approaching, William Hill is running a welcome promotion for new customers that can add extra value to your bets during race week. New UK players can take advantage of a Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets deal. To claim it, simply create a William Hill account, deposit at least £10, and place a qualifying £10 wager on any eligible sportsbook market.
Once the bet settles, £40 in Free Bets will be credited to your account, which can then be used on upcoming races throughout the festival. The promotion is available to customers aged 18+ in the UK. Free Bets must be used within the stated promotional period, and the stake is not returned with any winnings. Always review the full terms and conditions before participating.
How To Claim the William Hill Sign Up Bonus
Readers will be glad to know that claiming the William Hill Cheltenham promotion is quick and easy. As long as you are aged 18 or over and meet the offer requirements, you can activate the deal in just a few steps. Use the step-by-step guide below to get started ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
To begin, click the link within this article to access the William Hill Sportsbook.
Once on the interface, select ‘Join’ to begin registration.
You must enter all required information on the form, including your full name, email address, and login details.
Next, verify your Sportsbook account by selecting the link in the brand's email inbox.
You must fund your account to redeem the bonus and place wagers on the site. To do so, visit the cashier section of the site.
You may be required to choose a payment method and enter the amount you wish to deposit here.
The minimum deposit for the William Hill free bets promotion is £10.
Once all of the above steps are completed, you can enjoy the exciting offer.
Responsible Gambling
We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.
Here are some resources that can help you:
GambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
