Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour with a quiet T56 at the Farmers Insurance Open, but there was more to that performance under the surface. If you looked past the fanfare of his triumphant return, you could see it.
That week at Torrey Pines, Koepka lost over seven shots on the greens while finishing positive in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, Approach and Around the Greens. He made a putter switch after the missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, and his game has started to round into form ever since, with Koepka going T9-T13-T18 through the Florida Swing. He ranked third in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach last week at the Valspar and is ranked first in that category on the PGA Tour on the season, gaining 1.089 strokes on approach per round.
Koepka said he diagnosed a problem with his driver ahead of this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open that likely “cost him six or seven shots” last week. (He finished seven shots behind eventual winner Matt Fitzpatrick.)
That subtle I could’ve won reference is reminiscent of the Brooks Koepka who once said he believed majors are easier to win than normal PGA Tour events. (He won that week.)
Advertisement
Koepka arrives at Memorial Park Golf Course this week with the look and feel of the Koepka of old, the one who crushed major fields with exacting, boring golf. That Koepka is starting to show with the Masters on the horizon because the game that won him five majors, the one that has been missing since his 2023 PGA Championship win, well, Koepka feels it has finally returned.
“I do feel like it is ready,” Koepka said Wednesday when asked if his game was in condition for Augusta National. “Everything’s trending in a nice direction. Ball-striking feels really, really good. Pete [Cowen’s] done a phenomenal job just getting everything where it needs to be. Yeah, the putting was a huge thing. I feel like it’s been so different because I was putting so terribly, I felt like I had to birdie the hole almost from the fairway or from the tee box.
“Where now I can sit back and kind of play golf how I used to play in ’17, ’19, kind of in that run when I was playing very good where I can be very patient and just kind of wait my time. … I used to just kind of — it felt very boring, just hit the center of the greens and occasionally you push and pull one kind of right on the flag. I always think — I said it was like conservatively aggressive.”
The arrow has been trending up for Koepka ever since he made his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf at the end of January, but there’s one thing that’s missing as he looks to peak at Augusta National in two weeks: Koepka hasn’t been in the cauldron on the weekend yet during his PGA Tour rebirth.
He believes his game is back to the level that saw him suffocate major championship fields with ease, but he won’t know that for sure until he tests it under pressure. That’s the goal this week in Houston as Koepka starts to fully shift his focus to the Masters and his hunt for major No. 6.
“The only thing is I really haven’t put myself in contention with nine holes to go,” Koepka said. “That’s really the last missing piece that I feel like I need to accomplish here before Augusta. I just need to get the juices flowing of having a chance to win a golf tournament. It’s been a while. Didn’t win last year. I just need to be able to put myself and get those feelings again. And especially out here, competing against unbelievable players on a difficult golf course would be what I need to do for the final prep for Augusta.”
A few weeks ago at the Players Championship, Koepka acknowledged that TPC Sawgrass serves as a barometer for where your game is at heading into the start of the major season. It’s a difficult test on a course where carnage lurks around every bend. Solve it, and you head toward the Masters feeling confident in your prospects. But fail the PGA Tour’s flagship test, and you have very little time to find answers before you drive down Magnolia Lane.
Advertisement
“This is kind of right where I feel like you needed to know where your game was at,” Koepka said at TPC Sawgrass. “Every time you come to the Players, you get a good idea of, hey, you’ve got a couple more weeks right before Augusta; if you’ve got to make any changes, this is where it needs to happen. This is kind of, in my eyes, the kickoff of the real heat of the golf season. And it’s a lot of fun, it’s exciting, and just need to be on top of things.”
He finished in a tie for 13th, picked up almost seven shots on approach, which ranked fourth in the field and would have been a real weekend factor if not for a three-hole blowup during Friday’s second round. Koepka followed that with another solid week at the Valspar that an overly spinny driver apparently derailed, and now arrives at his final Masters tune-up finally sounding like the swaggering, major-beating Koepka of old.
“I love the way I’m playing,” Koepka said. “Just want to put myself in contention here for the first time before Augusta. My game is rounding into form. I can see it. I don’t know if maybe results-wise, it probably hasn’t looked that way, but I can see it as a whole, it’s really all starting to come together.”
Advertisement
That’s something no one hoping to add a green jacket to their closet in two weeks wants to hear.
Man Utd youngster Kai Rooney has confirmed he is out for the rest of the season after picking up an injury recently.
11:05, 26 Mar 2026Updated 11:13, 26 Mar 2026
Advertisement
Manchester United academy youngster Kai Rooney has picked up an injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season and deny him the chance of featuring in the Under-18s bid for FA Youth Cup glory.
Rooney, 16, was part of the Under-16s side that won the Premier League Shield and the academy prospect has featured for Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s at times this season.
It has been a productive campaign for the forward, who is following in the footsteps of dad Wayne by trying to earn a career at Old Trafford, but the injury he has picked up will bring it to a premature end.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Advertisement
“Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season,” Rooney wrote on Instagram on Thursday morning.
Rooney picked up an injury earlier in the campaign as well, but he will still look back on 2025/26 fondly, having also won the Super Cup NI with the younger age group.
He also earned his breakthrough with the Under-18s. He has two goals and an assist in six U18 Premier League fixtures, with that tally coming in just 119 minutes of action.
The youngster also made his first appearance at OId Trafford, playing 21 minutes in the FA Youth Cup fourth-round win against Derby County, while he was an unused substitute in the quarter-final success against Sunderland.
Advertisement
It promises to be a thrilling end to the campaign for the Under-18s, who face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup, play the same opponents at Selhurst Park in the Premier League Cup final and are locked in a battle with Manchester City at the top of the league.
Having come off the bench in the last three games, Rooney would have been hoping to play his part in the charge for silverware until his injury blow.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Mohamed Salah is to leave Liverpool at the end of this season, the Premier League champions announced Tuesday ending an “illustrious” nine years on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old Egypt forward arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 and has made 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals.
Salah’s form has dipped in his ninth year at Anfield, to such an extent that he was dropped for a stretch of games late last year – leading to the winger telling reporters in an impromptu interview that the club “has thrown me under the bus”.
“Unfortunately the day has come,” Salah said in a post on Instagram Tuesday.
Advertisement
“I never imagined,” he added, “how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit. I can’t explain in words to anyone not part of this club.”
2025 AFCON: Egypt begins its bid to win tournament with Mohamed Salah
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.
Advertisement
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – African Cup of Nations Qualification – Group C – Egypt v Cape Verde – Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt – September 6, 2024 Egypt’s Mohamed Salah shoots at goal REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File PhotoREUTERS – Amr Abdallah Dalsh
The Instagram post came around the same time as Liverpool published a six-paragraph statement announcing the imminent departure of a club great.
“Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season,” the statement said.
“The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.
Advertisement
“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”
In-form Salah had scored in three of his past four starts after an uncharacteristic lean spell.
Salah, who is rarely absent through injury, appeared to be back in the fold at Anfield after a dramatic fallout with Liverpool manager Arne Slot earlier in the season.
Advertisement
Despite his recent good form, Salah has scored just five Premier League goals this season, compared with 29 in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign in 2024/25.
Who is India’s greatest-ever cricket captain? It is a debate that has raged on for years, across generations, and will undoubtedly continue to. From Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in the 1960s to Rohit Sharma in the 2020s, there are several candidates. Now, Sourav Ganguly has had his say on the matter. Ganguly is himself regarded as one of India’s greatest-ever captains, having led the team during the early 2000s and paved the way for future success. But he had a simple answer to the question.
When asked to choose India’s greatest-ever captain between himself and MS Dhoni, Ganguly leaned towards the latter.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MS Dhoni has won a World Cup, while I have been a runner-up,” Ganguly said at a TV9 summit.
Advertisement
“Dhoni has won the World Cup, and I would say he was an outstanding white-ball captain,” Ganguly added.
Ganguly further praised Dhoni for rising out of Jharkhand, which is a state that had not seen many cricketers play for India before him.
“I feel proud that he came from a small place like Jharkhand. Before him, not many players from there represented the country. To come from there and become such a legend is something to be proud of,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly added that Dhoni’s rise would’ve given confidence and belief to the youth of the area, and took the example of 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who hails from Jharkhand’s neighbouring state of Bihar.
Advertisement
“When someone from a state makes it big at the highest level, it creates an impact, it builds confidence – ‘If Mahi can do it, I can do it.’ Take Vaibhav Suryavanshi, for example. Yes, he is from Bihar, but he must have grown up watching Dhoni,” Ganguly said.
“I feel proud because I am from Bengal and he is from Jharkhand. These regions haven’t produced as many cricketers as places like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru. That is why I take great pride in MS Dhoni,” he added.
Dhoni made his India debut under Ganguly’s captaincy in 2004. He went on to lead India to Cricket World Cup glory in 2011, to the T20 World Cup title in 2007 and the Champions Trophy in 2015.
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) walks off the field after their win against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After the Kyler Murray signing, I figured the Vikings were set at quarterback, with Murray and J.J. McCarthy dueling for the starting spot while both tried to stay healthy, and Max Brosmer would continue to develop as a cheap third QB.
Then the news hit that the Vikings re-signed Carson Wentz to a one-year, $3 million contract with a $1.1 million signing bonus and $2.645 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac. My first thought was that this further muddies the waters at the most important position for the Vikings.
My second thought was that they want to make sure they don’t ever go into a game with a rookie QB starting his first NFL game against the eventual Super Bowl champs, which was the case in the 26-0 Week 13 shutout in Seattle, when Brosmer had a dismal performance.
Advertisement
How Wentz’s Return Reshapes the Vikings’ QB Hierarchy
That won’t happen in 2026 with two QBs in Murray and Wentz, who have 186 regular-season starts (and two playoff starts) between them, plus McCarthy started 10 games last season, and Brosmer had two starts.
This assumes both Murray and Wentz make the team, which is not automatic, since neither player has a big dead-money hit if cut or traded due to poor performance, bad chemistry in the QB room, or a trade offer too good to pass up. The 23-year-old McCarthy is not going anywhere after the team invested the No. 10 overall pick (in 2024) in him as a potential future franchise QB, and despite his early struggles as injuries piled up, he is 6-4 as an NFL starter.
On October 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz went through pregame drills before the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran passer, facing his former team for the first time in purple, displayed sharp focus during warmups as fans packed the stands for the highly anticipated reunion against one of the NFC’s top defensive units. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Yet the fact that Murray and Wentz are in the house tells us Kevin O’Connell is not yet convinced that McCarthy can be counted on in 2026 to be consistent and accurate enough to lead an offense with plenty of supporting talent, and adds the caveat that he has not yet had an injury-free season.
Which brings me to my next thought on the Vikings quarterback situation and McCarthy specifically.
Advertisement
What if O’Connell decides to give McCarthy another red-shirt year and goes with Murray as the starter and Wentz as the No. 2 this season? That will mean McCarthy would be through his third NFL accrued season, as he received an accrued season in his rookie year of 2024, since he was on IR for at least six games, and a second accrued season in 2025.
As he then heads into his fourth season in 2027, the Vikings will be faced with a deadline around May 1 next year to exercise the fifth-year option for McCarthy’s rookie contract at a fully guaranteed amount of an estimated $23 million. If McCarthy rides the bench this season, how could the Vikings make that commitment to a still unproven player with an injury history?
The team could then be looking at what the Giants dealt with after they didn’t exercise Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option in 2022 and wound up overpaying him on a $40 million per year deal when he did have a very good season in that final year of his four-year rookie deal (including his playoff win over the Vikings) before injuries and poor play derailed him in New York. Jones wound up in Indianapolis last year, where he played well enough before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 to earn a two-year deal that could reach $100 million with incentives.
And what if Murray plays well, stays healthy, and leads the Vikings on a playoff run this season? Then the Vikings won’t want a repeat of Sam Darnold leaving for Seattle after his 14-win season, so Murray would likely be re-signed to at least a three-year deal in 2027 with no fifth-year option for McCarthy, who would remain in a backup role for his fourth season and almost certainly sign elsewhere in 2028. Thus, another No. 1 pick down the drain for the Vikings, and the fear McCarthy—still only 26 years old—flourishes for another team.
Advertisement
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis against the Green Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy operating within the structure of the offense early, as Minnesota looked to establish rhythm and tempo during a high-stakes divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
There are so many ways this Vikings QB drama can play out over the next few years, beginning at OTAs in the coming months, through training camp/preseason, and into the upcoming season.
The Vikings certainly wish McCarthy had not hurt his knee and sat on IR for his rookie season and that he would have played better early last season and not sprained his ankle to open the door for Wentz (who as we know played so-so—2-3 record in five starts with six TD passes, five interceptions and a lackluster 85.8 passer rating—but he’ll have a better handle on O’Connell’s offense this year as will McCarthy after his 10 starts with a strong finish but it was not enough to prevent the arrival of Murray and the return of Wentz).
The good news for the team is that the combined 2026 salary cap hit for their four QBs is only $11.3 million. The bad news is the uncertainty at such a critical position.
Yet I understand why O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski decided to load up with Murray and Wentz, despite further muddying the waters for McCarthy and, to some extent, Murray. More options create more competition and protection against a repeat of the injuries that hit the QB room last year.
The best-case scenario for the Vikings is McCarthy taking a major step forward this season by claiming the starting role through improved play if he gets the chance due to Murray faltering in a new system or getting hurt again (he missed 21 games over the last three seasons with knee and foot injuries), and O’Connell going with McCarthy over Wentz.
Advertisement
And McCarthy leading the team back to the playoffs and on a playoff run to cement his position moving forward to the point the Vikings exercise his fifth-year option (while waiting for another quality season from McCarthy before he gets a huge second contract).
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One thing is for sure: there will be an abundance of quarterback drama and fan interest in the Vikings QB battle this year.
Around the NFL free agency/trade observations
1. Instead of opening the 2026 NFL season on Thursday in Week 1, which is the usual custom for the defending Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks will host the opener on Wednesday, September 9, to allow for a Thursday night game in Melbourne, Australia between the Rams and 49ers.
That will be the first of a record nine international games this coming season. Other sites are London (three games), Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Paris.
Advertisement
Early speculation is that the Seahawks will host either the Patriots (in a Super Bowl rematch), the Chiefs, the Cowboys, or the Bears in the Week 1 opener. Patrick Mahomes posted a video of himself in a throwing session as he continues his rehab following ACL surgery in December.
He is targeting a Week 1 return, and given his competitiveness and dedication, I don’t doubt he’ll play in the opener, which could be in Seattle, to play up the drama of his possible return.
Carson Wentz lines up at midfield on September 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin as the Vikings opened play against the Steelers in an NFL International Series matchup, taking the snap atop the league shield during first-quarter action overseas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Vikings have been regulars on the international circuit in recent years but may get the year off after playing back-to-back last season in Dublin and London (with a loss to the Steelers and a win over the Browns).
As a former team travel coordinator for the Vikings early in my career, I was in charge of preseason game trips to London and Sweden, so I understand all too well the logistical challenges of playing overseas.
2. With the news that the negotiations for a new CBA between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association are not going well at this stage, it brings up the possibility of a work stoppage that would force the use of replacement officials early in the upcoming season.
Advertisement
The last time that happened was during the first three weeks of the 2012 season, and it did not go well for the league, with plenty of controversy and unhappy coaches and players due to the relatively poor job the replacement officials did compared to the regular officials. For the sake of the sport, let’s hope this labor issue gets resolved before the season.
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
Gujarat Titans have significantly expanded their commercial portfolio ahead of IPL 2026, onboarding a total of 37 partners as the franchise continues to strengthen its brand presence. The development reflects not just an increase in numbers but a broader strategy focused on long-term value, deeper collaborations, and a diversified partnership ecosystem.
Since their title-winning debut in 2022, Gujarat Titans have steadily built a reputation for consistency on and off the field. The current mix of partnerships — ranging from renewals to new additions — highlights sustained trust in the franchise’s growing stature and its ability to deliver visibility and engagement.
Advertisement
Strong on-kit partnerships anchor ecosystem
At the centre of the Titans’ commercial structure is a well-established on-kit portfolio. Birla Estates continues as the principal partner, occupying the prime front-of-jersey position. The association reflects a long-term alignment between the brand and the franchise’s ambitions.
The core group is further strengthened by continuing partnerships with Torrent, BKT Tyres, Jio, Astral Pipes, and Livpure. These associations underline continuity while also pointing to deeper integration between the team and its key stakeholders.
New integrations enhance match-day visibility
Gujarat Titans have also added fresh partnerships to boost on-field visibility. Brands such as Google Pixel, Grew Solar, and IGI have joined the ecosystem, ensuring a strong presence across match-day assets.
Advertisement
Equitas has also upgraded its association, moving from helmet branding to a more prominent position on the team jersey. The shift indicates growing confidence among partners in the franchise’s reach and engagement potential.
Diversified portfolio reflects wider reach
Beyond the playing kit, the franchise has focused on building a diverse and future-ready partner mix. Technology-driven collaborations, including those with Google’s platforms, are aimed at enhancing digital engagement and fan interaction, while AirAsia brings a lifestyle and travel dimension to the portfolio.
Advertisement
Consumer-facing brands such as Campa, Budweiser 0.0, Amul, Dream11, and Scapia continue to strengthen mass appeal. At the same time, partnerships with gaming and youth-focused platforms such as Krafton, Pokémon, and Big Ant highlight the team’s push towards engaging younger audiences.
Expansion into emerging and service sectors
The Titans have also broadened their footprint across emerging and service-driven categories. Associations with Bharat Taxi, Finkeda, Next Care Inc., HCG Hospital, and Max Fresh add value across mobility, fintech, healthcare, and personal care segments, reflecting a more holistic commercial strategy.
Focus on fan engagement and accessibility
Fan experience remains a central pillar, with BookMyShow continuing as the ticketing partner, ensuring streamlined access to matches. Radio partnerships with Mirchi and Fever are expected to enhance regional outreach and audience engagement throughout the season.
Merchandise push extends brand presence
Off the field, Gujarat Titans are expanding their retail and merchandise footprint through collaborations with T10, EM, Hapipola, Baller Athletik, Versant, Chupps, Cricket Icons, and Valiente. These partnerships aim to take the franchise brand beyond stadiums and into everyday consumer spaces.
Advertisement
Franchise targets long-term value creation
The franchise leadership believes the growing partner base reflects increasing confidence in the Titans’ vision and identity. The management indicated that these collaborations are focused not just on visibility but on building long-term relationships that deliver consistent value both on and off the field.
Betting sign up offers and free bets are available from betting sites for signing up and betting online.
At The Independent, our experts have used their impartial and detailed analysis to find new and existing customers the best betting sign up offers and free bets on the market.
We have stringent criteria when it comes to picking our top betting offers available. Our experts focus on accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and regularity when selecting the best options out there.
Every betting site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that new and existing customers are using a reputable betting operator.
Advertisement
Free bets can be claimed from betting sites by new and existing customers, allowing bettors to bet without risking their own money.
Terms and conditions are attached to free bets and betting offers. Usually, bettors must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to claim a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.
Wagering requirements can be attached to free bet offers, which means winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw funds as cash, but this is more common on casino sites.
Types of free bets
Advertisement
Bet & Get: The most common betting sign-up offer, bet a minimum amount, meet the T&Cs and receive a free bet bonus.
Moneyback specials: Typically an ongoing free bet promo, whereby punters get their money back as a free bet if there’s an underwhelming outcome such as a 0-0 draw.
Free bet clubs: Loyalty reward schemes aimed at those who bet regularly with one bookmaker in particular.
Enhanced odds with free bet winnings: A bookmaker offers a wildly inflated price on a popular market, such as 40/1 on Man City to win, with winnings paid out as free bets.
No deposit free bets: These are rare, but can be obtained via free-to-play prediction games on several online bookmakers.
Free bets are straightforward to use for customers, although the way they can be deployed may differ depending on your chosen bookmaker.
Usually, betting sites will have a box or toggle on your bet slip that users can tick or move to confirm free bets on their bet.
An important note. If your bet wins, you only keep the profit, the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.
Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for this week’s major sporting events.
Advertisement
William Hill: Wales World Cup Epic Boost
William Hill are offering an Epic Boost price for Wales to qualify for the World Cup play-off final on Thursday.
Customers can claim the Epic Boost price of evens boosted from 2/5 for Wales to advance from their World Cup play-off semi-final clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Qualifying bets must be placed before kick-off and customers are limited to a maximum £10 stake.
Advertisement
Paddy Power: Free Bet Builder Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Paddy Power are offering customers a free bet builder for users that place a qualifying bet builder on Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
To qualify, customers must opt-in on the free bet offer before placing a £2 bet builder on the World Cup play-off clash with three selections or more and odds of evens or greater.
Once the qualifying bet has settled, customers will receive a free bet builder worth £2 to use on football. Free bet builder expires within seven days.
Advertisement
Bet365: Bet Builder Boost 25% World Cup Playoffs
Bet365 are offering 25 per cent bet builder boosts on select games for tonight’s round of World Cup play-off matches.
Customers can claim the betting offer for matches including Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina and Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland.
Qualifying bet builders must include three selections or more and odds of evens or greater, with users selecting the bet builder boost option in their bet slip.
Advertisement
Winning bet builders will be paid out with the 25 per cent boost.
Betting Site
Offer Type
Min. Bet
Advertisement
Free Bet Value
Best For
Coral
Welcome bonus
Advertisement
£5
£30
Low-stake sign up value
Betano
Advertisement
Welcome bonus
£10
£50
Football free bets
Advertisement
Tote
Welcome bonus
£10
£30
Advertisement
Horse racing free bets
Bet365
Moneyback special
£10
Advertisement
£10
Ongoing money-back as free bet offers
Virgin Bet
Free Bet Club
Advertisement
£20
£5 weekly
Ongoing rewards for regular bettors
Free bets value for money (Independent)
Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.
Coral – Best low-stake betting sign up offer
Advertisement
Coral offer the best low stake betting sign up offer allowing new customers to secure £30 in free bets after signing up and betting just £5 on any sports bet of their choice.
There’s plenty of flexibility over where users can place their qualifying bet. Customers can choose any sport with odds of 1/2 odds or greater, only Bet365 has a lower threshold among welcome offers, but their value is not as high as Coral’s.
Time is also on your side using Coral. Customers can take up to 14 days after sign up to make their first bet and still qualify for the betting sign up offer.
Coral rewards customers with £30 in free bets for betting just £5 online (The Independent)
Payout is also prompt as soon as your qualifying bet settles. Coral will credit your account with £30 in free bets within 24 hours. These free bets are paid out in 6 x £5 free bets, giving customers plenty of scope to use their funds.
These free bets are fairly flexible as 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Coral, while the remaining £10 free bet balance is reserved for 1 x £5 football bet builder and a 1x £5 horse racing bet builder.
Advertisement
It’s arguaaly the best £5 deposit betting site around as customers secure a 600% return from their first deposit and bet. For first-time bettors it’s a perfect betting sign up offer for value.
Betano – Best football betting sign up offer
Betano is the best option for punters looking for free bets at leading football betting sites, with the Betano sign up offer providing £50 in free bets with an initial wager of just £10 (an excellent return for a low entry stake).
The offer includes a straightforward qualifying bet with minimum odds of evens and no accumulator required, while the 30-day expiry on free bets gives users flexibility, with plenty of time to use bonuses.
Advertisement
Newcomers can get £50 in free bets after an initial £10 bet (iStock/The Independent)
This new betting site provides great variety on its football markets – from match odds and BTTS to goalscorers, correct scores and much more – and users will also find regular offers and promotions once signed up to the site.
Tote – Best for horse racing free bets
The Tote betting sign up offer is an excellent choice for horse racing fans, with a £10 bet returning £30 in racing value – a strong 3x reward for such a low qualifying stake.
The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers.
The Tote website performs equally well on mobile and desktop (iStock/The Independent)
The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low.
Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites.
Advertisement
Bet365 – Best for moneyback as a free bet
Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events.
Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails. The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify.
Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent.
Advertisement
Bet365 customers can get up to £10 back as a free bet on losing racing and football bets (iStock/The Independent)
Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer.
The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows. Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds.
Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed.
Virgin Bet – Best free bet club
Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas.
Advertisement
Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs.
Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100.
Claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas on Virgin Bet (iStock/The Independent)
You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.
In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility.
After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits.
Advertisement
Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:
Stake not returned on free bets
Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.
Short expiry windows
Advertisement
Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way.
Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added.
Bet builder or market restrictions
Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events. These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk.
Advertisement
Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet.
Minimum odds requirements
Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value.
Cash-Out and In-Play exclusions
Advertisement
Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets.
These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion.
Wagering requirements and bonus conditions
Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.
Advertisement
Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.
Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.
1. Licensing
Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.
Advertisement
The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.
2. Security
Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.
3. Reputation
Advertisement
Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.
4. Mobile
With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.
Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.
Advertisement
5. Experience
The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.
Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods.
6. Value
Advertisement
Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.
Why trust us?
Chris Wilson is a betting content producer and sports reporter who has been working at The Independent since 2023.
He writes betting tips across a range of sporting events as well as reviewing dozens of betting sites and casino sites across the UK.
Chris has extensively tested and reviewed offers from established operators and new betting sites to find the best free bet offers for readers of The Independent.
Advertisement
Responsible gambling is always at the forefront of his research, ensuring customers have a fair and secure experience claiming and using betting offers online.
If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.
When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.
Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
Are free bets withdrawable?
No, it is not possible to withdraw a free bet. It must be used according to the terms and conditions of the free bet offer or it will be forfeited.
Advertisement
Can you cash out free bets?
In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings.
What does money back in free bets mean?
This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash – only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet.
Advertisement
What is the best betting sign up offer available now?
In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets.
What betting sites give free bets without a deposit?
Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM.
Advertisement
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Atlanta United FC owner Arthur Blank has named longtime Mexican Football Federation executive Mauricio Culebro to be president of the United of MLS as well as Blank’s NWSL franchise which debuts in 2028.
“This is an exciting day as we welcome Mauricio to Atlanta and our family of businesses,” Blank said in a statement released through his AMB Sports and Entertainment, which includes among its properties the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Atlanta Drive of the TGL indoor golf league, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“As we progressed through the search process, Mauricio’s impressive experience and clear vision to elevate our clubs made him an outstanding fit to lead Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028.”
Culebro has spent five years as president of Tigres UANL and has also been chief operating officer of the Mexican Football Federation.
Advertisement
Blank said that though Culebro is new to MLS, he is no stranger to “building and operating successful global soccer clubs,” adding that he is “fully confident in his ability to help return Atlanta United to the level our fans deserve, while leading the launch of our NWSL club.”
Culebro also led Mexico’s planning for its role in hosting the upcoming World Cup this summer.
“It is an honor to join AMBSE’s highly successful leadership team and become part of an organization with such a strong culture and foundation already in place,” Culebro said. “I am excited to put my experience, passion and commitment at the service of Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028, working alongside a great team to build long-term projects our fans can feel proud of — teams that truly represent the passion, energy and ambition of this city.”
Northampton Saints will treat playing Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as if it was a cup final, according to prop Manny Iyogun.
Saturday’s Prem fixture will be the second part of a women and men’s double header, titled Showdown VI, at the 62,850-capacity stadium.
Advertisement
Last week Saracens reported that 40,000 tickets had already been sold for an event which will also see Dizzee Rascal perform live between the two games.
Advertisement
“It’s got a bit of a finals vibe to it and games like this prep you for finals in knockout rugby and that’s exactly how we’re approaching it,” Iyogun told BBC Radio Northampton’s Saints Show.
Saints are two points clear at the top of the Prem table following their narrow, below-their-best win over Newcastle Red Bulls – and have already beaten Saracens twice this season in league and cup.
Sarries, meanwhile, returned to Prem action last Friday with a heavy 62-point defeat at Bath, leaving them in sixth place, eight points outside the play-off spots.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was opened in 2019 [Getty Images]
Iyogun’s team-mate Tom Lockett believes they will be playing at the “best new stadium in the UK”.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“To get a chance to play in it is pretty cool, something we’re all pretty excited for but ultimately we’ve still got to perform as if it’s the Gardens or any stadium,” second row Lockett said.
“We’ll go down on Friday and get a feel for the stadium and then hopefully put that to the back of our mind and go and do the job.
“We’ve got better at that over the years, playing in big environments and finding out what works and what doesn’t work and how we get back on script when things aren’t going to plan.
Advertisement
“Obviously we want to be involved in as many big games as possible so it can only be a good thing [to play there].”
Advertisement
England lock Alex Coles could again be absent because of injury suffered on Six Nations duty so 23-year-old Lockett may again inherit the key role as line-out routines caller.
“Colesy is huge for us not only in terms of how he plays but also how he leads that line-out area,” Lockett added.
Advertisement
“I’ve taken so much from him over the past five or six years. I like to think I’m in a good position now where I’ve got enough experience to take that mantle from him.”
Asked how many different routines Saints have, he replied: “It’s basically a language and you have to be fluent in that language to know all the different moves you could run.
Advertisement
“If you put a number on it, it would be well into the thousands. Colesy’s coming up with new stuff all the time.”
Advertisement
So, are there any Tottenham supporters in the Saints dressing room? Not according to Iyogun.
“It’s a very tough time [to be a Spurs fan] and playing at Tottenham probably wouldn’t be the best experience [if you were],” he said.
“I’m Chelsea fan so me and [strength and conditioning coach] Tommy Buller – he’s a Man City fan – have a bit of a natter about it. There’s a lot of football fans, Colesy’s an Arsenal fan, so there’s a bit of rivalry.”
Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube said on Thursday that his train journey back home after winning the T20 World Cup 2026 with his family was exciting but also quite tough, as he had to take extra precautions to avoid being recognised. Dube had to take an unusual route to get back home from Ahmedabad after the historic win. Unlike most Indian cricketers who travel by chartered or private flights, he couldn’t find any available flights from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, as they were fully booked. So, he decided to travel by train in a 3rd AC coach. Even though there was a risk of being recognised by fans, he felt it was the quickest option. In a video shared by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on X, Dube explained how he managed to avoid attention.
“It was quite tough. We took the train around 5 a.m., and there were many people. But since it was right after the World Cup, no one expected me to be there. I went to the top berth and slept for some time. We slept around 5:30 and woke up at 10:30,” he said.
Dube also shared that he had travelled by train in a similar way last year during a BPCL tournament in Baroda.
“I had done this before as well, wearing a mask. Last year, before the IPL, I travelled by train from a BPCL tournament in Baroda because I wanted to reach home early. I was sleeping on my berth, and there were a few friends with me,” he added.
Advertisement
Sanju Samson, who was also part of the World Cup-winning team, will join Dube at Chennai Super Kings for the first time. Dube said Samson had asked him about the atmosphere in Chennai, and he replied, “You’ll love it. It will feel like home. There’s no pressure—you can just focus on your practice and training.”
Dube is expected to play an important role for CSK in IPL 2026. The five-time champions will begin their campaign on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year.
PARIVISION and Xtreme Gaming pulled off clutch wins on the final day of group-stage competition on Wednesday to advance into the playoffs of the ESL One Birmingham event in England.
The teams entered the day in sixth and eighth place, respectively, in Group A and Group B. PARIVISION secured its second win over Yakult Brothers and then won a pair of one-off tiebreakers over GamerLegion and BetBoom to clinch the fourth spot.
In other Group A action before the tiebreakers, BetBoom beat GamerLegion while Team Yandex and Tundra Esports locked down the top two spots in the group with wins over MOUZ and REKONIX. MOUZ still finished in third place and advanced despite the loss.
Xtreme Gaming used a win over OG — its first of the competition — and losses by three other teams ahead of them to jump up four spots into fourth place in Group B. The losses they needed were Aurora Gaming beating paiN Gaming, Team Spirit beating Nigma Galaxy and Team Falcons beating Virtus.pro. Aurora Gaming and Team Spirit claimed the top two spots in Group B with Team Falcons claiming third.
The $1 million Dota 2 tournament, featuring 16 teams, will award $750,000 in prize money and $250,000 in club rewards as well as 35,460 ESL Pro Tour points spread among all participants.
Advertisement
The top two teams from each group advanced to the upper bracket of the playoffs. The third- and fourth-place teams were delegated to the lower-bracket playoffs, with the remaining eight teams eliminated after Wednesday’s competition.
The playoffs will be contested Thursday through Sunday with a double-elimination bracket. All matches are best-of-three except for the grand final, which is best-of-five.
In Wednesday action, PARIVISION completed its win of Yakult Brothers with a 32-minute win on green followed by a 42-minute victory on red. Alan “Satanic” Gallyamov of Russia led the win with a 21-2-20 kill-death-assist ratio. Malaysia’s Daniel “Ghost” Chan led Yakult Brothers with a 7-8-6 K-D-A.
Yandex clinched the top spot with its 2-0 win over MOUZ, winning in 32 minutes and 31 minutes on green. Kazakhstan’s Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov led the win with an impressive 22-1-13 K-D-A, while Dutch competitor Remco “Crystallis” Arets led MOUZ with a 10-12-6 ratio.
Advertisement
Tundra locked up the second spot with a pair of 29-minute victories on red followed by on green. Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov led the win with a 19-3-27 ratio, and Saieful “Fbz” Ilham of Indonesia led REKONIX with a 4-11-8 K-D-A.
BetBoom Team’s 2-0 win over GamerLegion in 45 minutes and 58 minutes on green made the Group A tiebreaker a necessity. Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov of Russia posted a 21-6-35 K-D-A for BetBoom, beating out Edmond Dantes’ 11-16-24 ratio for GamerLegion.
PARIVISION won the first tiebreaker over GamerLegion in 45 minutes on green and followed with a 51-minute triumph on red over BetBoom. Gallyamov led the team with an 8-8-19 ratio in the two tiebreakers.
In Group B action, Xtreme Gaming did its part to advance with 41-minute and 39-minute wins on green to beat OG. Wang “Ame” Chunyu of China led the effort by totaling 11-2-30 against a 5-12-9 ratio for OG’s John “Natsumi-” Vargas from the Philippines.
Advertisement
Team Spirit beat Nigma Galaxy in 35 minutes on green and 49 minutes on red. Russia’s Denis “Larl” Sigitov led the win with a 17-2-27 K-D-A, while Tony “No!ob” Assaf of Lebanon led Nigma with a 14-11-13 ratio.
Team Falcons closed out the group stage with a 46-minute win on green followed by a 45-minute win on red over Virtus.pro. A 22-6-21 showing from Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf led the way for Falcons against Abed “Abed” Yusop’s 18-6-18 ratio for Virtus.
Aurora Gaming finished atop the group with a 50-minute red victory followed by a 30-minute green beatdown of paiN. Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko of Russia put up a 19-3-20 K-D-A to lead Aurora. Maximo “Wits” Orozco Alza led the Peruvian paiN squad with a 8-9-10 ratio.
Thursday schedule
Advertisement
Upper-bracket semifinals
Team Yandex vs. Team Spirit
Aurora Gaming vs. Tundra Esports
ESL One Birmingham standings
Advertisement
Position, Team, Match W-L (Maps W-L)
Group A
1. Team Yandex, 5-0-2 (12-2)
2. Tundra Esports, 4-0-3 (11-3)
Advertisement
3. MOUZ, 4-3-0 (8-6)
4. PARIVISION, 2-3-2 (6-8)
5. GamerLegion, 2-3-2 (6-8)
Advertisement
6. BetBoom, 2-3-2 (6-8)
7. Yakult Brothers, 1-3-3 (5-9)
8. REKONIX, 0-5-2 (2-12)
Group B
Advertisement
1. Aurora Gaming, 6-0-1 (13-1)
2. Team Spirit, 5-1-1 (11-3)
3. Team Falcons, 3-1-3 (9-5)
4. Xtreme Gaming, 1-2-4 (6-8)
Advertisement
5. Virtus.pro, 1-3-3 (5-9)
6. paiN Gaming, 0-3-4 (4-10)
7. OG, 0-3-4 (4-10)
8. Nigma Galaxy, 0-3-4 (4-10)
Advertisement
ESL One Birmingham prize pool (prize money, club reward)
;)
![BREAKING! Did Trump Fake Iran Peace Talks? [Bitcoin Already Reacting]](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1774524428_maxresdefault-80x80.jpg)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login