Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Sports

Grand National Free Bets & Betting Offers 2026

Published

on

The Grand National remains a highlight of the UK sporting calendar and one of the most prestigious races in horse racing, which in turn makes it one of the biggest betting events of the year.

A whole range of people bet on the National, from novices to seasoned punters and everyone in between.

And ahead of the 2026 event, those looking to bet on the Grand National will be interested to know that several online bookmakers are running Grand National free bet offers.

Having examined a range of offers, we’ve compiled this guide to the best Grand National free bets, providing vital information on the offers themselves, how to access them and how to use them.

Advertisement

Best free Grand National bet offers for 2026

The table below shows our recommendations for the best Grand National free bet offers for 2026, with details relating to relevant offers and the bookies themselves.

Rank

Bookmaker

Advertisement

Grand National Free Bets

1

Paddy Power

Paddy Power will also give out £30 in free bets, but the qualifying stake is larger at £5. New customers can use promo code YSKAST when signing up, then place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of 1/1 or greater to get £30 in free bets. Free bet credits are valid for 30 days, so you can place your qualifying stake well in advance of the Grand National.

Advertisement

2

Betfair

Betfair also have a bet £10 get £50 sign up offer for the Grand National. Place a £10 bet at minimum odds of evens and get £50 worth of free bet credit on bet settlement. However, there are some restrictions, as all five are £10 free bet tokens reserved for accumulators or bet builders, but they’re valid for 30 days.

3

Advertisement

PricedUp

PricedUp’s Grand National sign up offer isn’t the best, as you have to bet £40 in order to get just £20 in free accumulator bets, but they make up for this shortfall in other areas. Once signed up, new and existing customers can benefit from PricedUp’s main speciality – Price Boosts. They’ll have several boosts on the National and other Aintree races.

4

Tote

Advertisement

Tote have a bet £5 get £20 sign up offer for new customers. Simply place a sports bet of £5 or more – with odds of 1/1 or higher – and you’ll receive £10 in Tote Credit and a £10 free sports bet which can be used on the Grand National.

5

247Bet

One of the best new betting sites, 247Bet are giving new customers up to £50 in a matched deposit on Grand National weekend. The minimum deposit is £20 and the bonus funds have x5 wagering requirements. If you don’t fancy their sign up offer, you’ll find enhanced odds, cash out options under their promotions section.

Advertisement

6

Grosvenor

The Grosvenor sign up offer allows newcomers to double the odds of their first bet, even if that’s on the Grand National. The maximum bet is £10, but with long odds available on the race you’ll have hugely inflated odds whichever runner you pick.

7

Advertisement

NRG

Sign up using promo code b20g10 to get a £10 free bet after placing your first bet of £20 or more. NRG are also one of the best new betting sites for price boosts with several options to choose from on the Grand National.

8

Bet365

Advertisement

The Bet365 sign-up offer gives new users £30 in free bets – which can be used entirely on the Grand National – when they open an account, deposit £10 and stake £10 or more on any sports at odds of 1/5 or greater.

9

Quickbet

QuickBet’s Grand National welcome offer is beginner friendly as you’ll get a £10 free bet when you sign up and bet £10 on the race.

Advertisement

10

BetTom

BetTom have a stacked racing promotions section, including Best Odds Guaranteed, extra places (6 at 1/5 odds) and double result payout for amended results. New customers can get up to £25 back in free bets in first day losses.

How to place a bet on the Grand National

Advertisement
Video Player Placeholder

Types of Grand National free bet offers

In this section, we’ve broken down the most common types of Grand National free bet offers that punters are likely to find in the build up to the race at Aintree.

Grand National sign-up offers

Grand National sign up offers are only available to new customers, but they can add to your betting bankroll via free bets or matched deposits.

However, those looking for a Grand National free bet via welcome offers should check if there are any restrictions placed upon the free bets and any winnings.

Advertisement

There are dozens of sign up offers that will be tailored to the Grand National around the time of the meeting, but as an example, Bet365 offer a bet £10, get £30 in free bets welcome offer in which the free bet tokens can be used to wager entirely on the Grand National if you please.

Bet and Get Offers

Bet and get offers from bookmakers reward punters for betting on a specific event, or wagering a certain amount of money.

Punters will need to meet the requirements set by the bookmaker to unlock the free bets, which may not be credited until any qualifying bets are settled.

Advertisement

There were plenty of examples of this type of offer during Cheltenham, such as when LiveScore Bet gave punters a free bet if they wagered on the opening racing of each day.

Money-Back Races

Money back races are a popular offer with horse racing betting sites and will be available for the Grand National.

There are often different conditions for money back races, such as a punter’s selection finishing 2nd or 3rd, falling at the final hurdle or losing to a horse that went off at certain odds.

Advertisement

Depending on the betting site, punters will receive their refunds either in the form of cash or free bets, so remember to check the offer terms.

For example, BetGoodwin will give punters up to £100 back as a free bet if your horse is leading but falls at the last fence.

Acca Free Bets

Some UK bookmakers reward bettors who regularly place accumulators with free bets.

Advertisement

These free bets can usually only be used for accumulators, but some bonuses can be spent however a punter wishes.

As an example, BoyleSports give users a £5 free acca bet for every five accumulators they place, so long as they wager £5 or more on a bet that has five or more selections and combined odds of 3/1 or greater.

Free Bet Clubs

Bettors can unlock Grand National free bets via free bet clubs, which are available at several bookmakers. 

Advertisement

These promotions work by punters opting in and then wagering a certain amount to claim the free bets.

For example, Betway’s free bet club gives players £10 in free bets for the Grand National.

Just opt in to the promotion and wager £25 on multiples (three or more selections at combined odds of 2/1) to claim £10 in free bets each week.

Remember that other conditions may apply when it comes to unlocking a free Grand National bet, such as the minimum odds of the qualifying wagers, the sport qualifying bets are placed on, or the general type of bet.

Advertisement

How to claim and use Grand National free bets for 2026

The step-by-step guide below provides a general overview of how most Grand National sign up offers work. 

Remember to check the terms and conditions for any specific demands that you may be required to meet.

  • Step 1: Choose a bookmaker from the list above and check their Grand National free bet offer.
  • Step 2: Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
  • Step 3: Make a qualifying deposit (if required) – remember to check the T&Cs for accepted payment methods.
  • Step 4: Place a qualifying bet according to the offer terms.
  • Step 5: Receive your free bet once the qualifying wager is settled.
  • Step 6: Use the free bet on a Grand National market such as win or each-way.
Video Player Placeholder

Here’s a round up of alternative Grand National promo codes for the 2026 renewal, with all offers applying to new customers only.

Bookie

Advertisement

Cheltenham Promo Code

Cheltenham offer

Bet365

INDY2026

Advertisement

Bet £10 get £30 in bonus funds

Betfair

ZSKAOL

Bet £10 get £50 in free multi bets

Advertisement

Paddy Power

YHRCHS

Bet £10 get £50 in racing free bets

Matchbook

Advertisement

NEW30

Bet £20 get £30 free bets

LuckyMate

LM10

Advertisement

Bet £10 get £10 free bet

Grand National betting news

UK bookmakers are bracing for one of the biggest betting events of the year ahead of Saturday’s Grand National, with William Hill estimating that more than £150 million will be wagered on the race.

The operator expects turnover to be more than six times higher than last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, underlining the National’s status as the most heavily backed race in the UK calendar.

Advertisement

From a liabilities perspective, Panic Attack has emerged as the standout concern for the bookies.

The Dan Skelton-trained mare has been heavily supported throughout the season, shortening dramatically from 66/1 to 7/1, and would make history as the first mare in 75 years to win the race.

Final Orders and Haiti Couleurs are also among the most significant results for the bookmaker heading into the weekend, according to William Hill.

Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a reliable way to make money.

Advertisement

Picking the winner of the Grand National is extremely difficult so if you are going to wager on the race, assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford.

Betting can also be addictive, so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget.

Make sure you use the safer gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.

The same applies if you’re gambling on casino sites, poker sites, bingo sites or any other type of betting site.

Advertisement

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:

FAQs: Grand National free bets

Can I get a free bet for the Grand National?

Yes, there are plenty of free Grand National bets on offer from several gambling sites in days and hours leading up to the Grand National, from ‘bet and get’ offers to welcome promotions and more.

Advertisement

Do I need to deposit to claim a free bet?

In most cases – such as for benefitting from welcome offers – users will have to deposit certain amounts in order to claim an additional free bet. Be sure to check the offer terms and conditions before depositing and staking.

Can I use Grand National free bets on any market?

Usually, free bets for the Grand National are available to use on any market, such as the win or place market, specials or accumulators. However, some free bets will be tailored to certain markets or bet types, so be sure to check the terms before signing up.

Advertisement

Do Grand National free bets expire?

Free bets tailored to the race itself will likely expire once the race begins at 4pm, whereas general free bets will usually expire within seven days. However, some bookies place an expiry date of 30 days on their free bet credits.

When is the Grand National?

The 2026 Aintree Grand National takes place on Saturday 11 April at 4pm at Aintree Racecourse.

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.

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows carted off after collision with teammate

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows spent the night in a hospital following a frightening collision with teammate Riley Greene on Thursday.

Meadows was left bloodied in the outfield and had to be helped off the field in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins after appearing to hit his head during the collision with Greene.

Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows colliding with left fielder Riley Greene at Target Field

Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows collided with left fielder Riley Greene on a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins designated hitter Josh Bell in the eighth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 9, 2026. Meadows left the game after the collision. (Bruce Kluckhohn/Imagn Images)

“It’s a terrible feeling. I still feel terrible,” Greene said after the game.  “He hit my head. I don’t know where I hit him, to be honest, but I just really hope he’s OK.”

Advertisement

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The two collided when Twins first baseman Josh Bell, who already had one home run and two singles, hit a shallow fly to left-center field. Greene and Meadows collided hard enough that their caps flew off. 

Greene made the catch as Meadows lay on the ground. The broadcast caught blood coming from Meadows’ mouth.

Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows being helped off the field after collision

Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows is helped off the field after colliding with left fielder Riley Greene during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis on April 9, 2026. (Matt Krohn/AP)

CARDINALS PITCHER ATTEMPTING MLB COMEBACK SUSTAINS CRUSHING ARM INJURY JUST 3 PITCHES INTO HIS OUTING 

Advertisement

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch joined medical personnel on the field as Meadows eventually got up and was taken off the field on a cart. MLB.com reported that he would be held for observation overnight. 

“We’re going to get him checked out for everything, but this one worries me,” Hinch said, confirming that Meadows did suffer a concussion.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows batting at Chase Field in Phoenix

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 1, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Meadows has started 11 of 13 games in center field for the Tigers this season. He went 0 for 3 in the 3-1 loss on Thursday and is batting .250 with two extra-base hits.

Advertisement

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Celtics vie to secure East’s No. 2 seed in clash vs. Pelicans

Published

on

NBA: Boston Celtics at New York KnicksApr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) defends Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics will have another chance to secure the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Boston (54-26) could have clinched second place by beating New York on Thursday night, but the Knicks scored nine of the final 11 points to earn a 112-106 victory.

The Celtics and Knicks each have two games to play, and any Boston victory or New York loss will give Boston the No. 2 seed. The Knicks will host Toronto on Friday night.

“Obviously we have to take care of the first round first, and I don’t think we can play them (the Knicks) in the first round, so that’s where our focus is,” Boston guard Payton Pritchard said. “If we see them again, we’ll be ready.”

Baylor Scheierman’s performance was a bright spot for Boston in the loss to New York. On a night when the Celtics didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis), Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point attempts and tied his career high by scoring 20 points.

Advertisement

“Obviously, shot-making is the easiest thing to see and helps us on the scoreboard, but he just does a lot for us,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Whether it’s his crashing or his defense, but his instincts on both ends. … He just continues to get better and better, and that’s what we need, hitting that stretch there.”

Thursday’s game was the first time Jayson Tatum played at New York since he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a road game against New York during the playoffs last season. Tatum collected 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Thursday’s loss.

“It was a big moment, a big hurdle for me,” he said. “I was nervous and anxious to come back here.”

Advertisement

New Orleans (26-54), meanwhile, is coming off Tuesday’s 156-137 feel-good win against Utah. The Pelicans set a franchise record for points scored in a game with the win, which ended an eight-game losing streak.

Jeremiah Fears scored 40 points against Utah to set a Pelicans record for most points in a game by a rookie. Fears, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made 17 of 29 shots from the field.

“Really just proud of his growth,” New Orleans coach James Borrego said. “From training camp to where he’s at today — he’s taken a massive step. This franchise is in a really good place because of players like him. … I see a clear pathway for this team to be successful moving into the future.”

New Orleans won even though it played without starters Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey.

Advertisement

Murphy (right ankle sprain) and Murray (left hand contusion) were injured. Williamson, Jones and Bey were active but didn’t leave the bench in the team’s final home game.

The Pelicans have ruled out Williamson, Jones and Bey for Friday’s game.

New Orleans, which will miss the playoffs for the second straight season, will wrap up the regular season Sunday at Minnesota.

“We have two more games to play,” Borrego said. “I want to honor those two games. Go play the best basketball possible for those two games.”

Advertisement

–Field Level Media

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

RR vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026 Cricket Match Live Updates: Covers Coming Off As Rain Stops In Guwahati; RCB Make Big Change

Published

on

Rain has returned to Guwahati right after the toss! The covers are being rushed back on, and the match will not start at 8:15 PM as scheduled. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the Playing XIs and Impact subs! 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting-first XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Abhinandan Singh

RCB bench: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer

Rajasthan Royals bowling-first XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (capt), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi

Advertisement

RR bench: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

David de Gea makes Michael Carrick feelings crystal clear with ‘unbelievable’ Man United claim

Published

on

Manchester United face a managerial decision at the end of the Premier League season, with Michael Carrick considered a strong contender to take the job permanently

David De Gea has praised his former Manchester United teammate and interim head coach Michael Carrick for the ‘unbelievable’ job he is doing at Old Trafford. United have lost only one game since Carrick took over in January and are on course to qualify for European football, sitting third in the table.

The Spanish goalkeeper returned to England on Thursday night as Fiorentina faced Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter‑final at Selhurst Park. The Italian side have a mountain to climb in the return leg in Florence after a 3-0 defeat.

Advertisement

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, De Gea, who played alongside Carrick between 2011 and 2017, was asked about the 44‑year‑old’s return to United.

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.

“He’s doing unbelievable,” the shot-stopper began. He’s a great guy, he knows how the players feel, so it’s easy to talk with him.

Advertisement

“He’s doing an amazing job, United is winning a lot of games now, playing well.

“Hopefully we can get the Champions League spot and keep growing, growing, and let’s see United again in the high positions and fighting for trophies.”

Carrick is a strong contender for the permanent manager’s job at M16, with winger Amad backing the former midfielder as the ‘right man’ for the role and hinting at similar feelings within the squad.

Advertisement

“Obviously it’s not for us as a player to decide his future, but he’s been very good, he’s been doing so much for the team,” Amad said.

Up to 70% off Man United kits and merch

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image

Various Prices

Fanatics

Buy Now on Fanatics

Fanatics has slashed the price of Man United kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.

Advertisement

“He has a lot of experience, he knows the club and has the DNA. We think he’s the right man.

“He knows the club, he played for the club, so he has great experience to manage this club. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring a club where they belong.”

United return to Premier League action on Monday after the March international break. Carrick’s side host Leeds United at Old Trafford, with kick-off at 8pm.

Watch Fury vs Makhmudov with free Netflix subscription

Advertisement
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image

£5.99

£0

Netflix | Sky

Get the deal here

Tyson Fury has come out of retirement to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov in a heavyweight clash in London on April 11. The fight will stream live on Netflix, which fans can get for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle or £24 Ultimate TV bundle, the latter of which also includes HBO Max and Disney+.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Grand National 2026: Aintree horse Gold Dancer suffers fatal injury while winning race

Published

on

The racehorse Gold Dancer has been put down after suffering a fatal injury while winning the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Ladies Day at Aintree.

Gold Dancer had managed to stay on its feet following an awkward landing on the final fence, with the 100-30 joint-favourite under Paul Townend crossing the line ahead of Regent’s Stroll by four and three-quarter lengths.

It was immediately clear, however, that Gold Dancer had suffered a serious injury when the horse made a mistake going over the final fence.

Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins walk from the course
Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins walk from the course (Getty Images)

The seven-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, received on-course treatment by the Aintree veterinary team after crossing the line. But it was then confirmed that Gold Dancer had been put down.

“Unfortunately he broke his back and they put him down,” said Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstowns, the horse’s stud.

“Paul said he made one mistake and he felt nothing and he kept going to the line no problem. It was just when he pulled up, unfortunately.

Advertisement

“It was an unbelievable performance, he jumped brilliantly bar one little mistake. It’s a hollow victory now, the poor horse didn’t deserve that.”

A statement from Aintree Racecourse said: “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.

Gold Dancer after crossing the final hurdle
Gold Dancer after crossing the final hurdle (Action Images via Reuters)

“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

Last year, Celebre d’Allen died a few days after racing in the Grand National at Aintree, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) ruling that the 13-year-old was ridden “when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground” after the penultimate fence.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Tyson Fury will pay unique tribute to Ricky Hatton in Makhmudov comeback fight

Published

on

Tyson Fury returns to the ring on Saturday and he is planning to honour boxing legend Ricky Hatton.

Former world heavyweight champion Fury retired from the sport after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, but now stages a comeback after 16 months away when he goes up against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

It will be the first time that ‘The Gypsy King’ has been back in action since the tragic passing of sporting icon Hatton in September, with the close friends having worked together in the past, including Fury’s clash against Deontay Wilder in December 2018.

Advertisement

Hatton is arguably the most popular British boxer of all time, taking legions of supporters across the world as he became a two-weight world champion and competed against the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Fury was in attendance at Hatton’s funeral in October, as thousands of those fans packed the streets to pay tribute to ‘The Hitman’ for everything he has done, and Fury has a tribute of his own planned for tomorrow night.

The heavyweight star is set to wear boots that feature Hatton’s logo, along with the sky blue colouring of Manchester City, the beloved football team of Hatton.

Fury’s clash against Makhmudov headlines a card that also features Conor Benn taking on Regis Prograis in the co-main event, along with Jeamie TKV facing Richard Riakporhe, and Frazer Clarke going up against Justis Huni, with the event broadcast live on Netflix.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Which German players will make the final cut?

Published

on

Germany beat Switzerland and Ghana in their March friendlies and it’s now less than two months until their World Cup squad will be announced. Who will be in the final 26-man selection? The core group of players is clear, but who made the most of the last international break before World Cup preparation begins and who did not?

Winners

  • Kai Havertz — With nearly 60 caps, Havertz is a key part of this team. Having been out with injury for a long time, his starting place was no longer secure but a return to fitness and form is timely. His combination play in Switzerland was impressive, and his roar after confidently dispatching a penalty against Ghana was the sign of a player beginning to hit his stride again. If there were any doubts about his role in the starting eleven, Havertz dispelled them swiftly in these two games.
  • Florian Wirtz — Another player who is guaranteed a ticket to the United States this summer but who still excelled. His two goals and two assists in Basel speak for themselves. It was an exceptional display and in Stuttgart he helped set the tone, often brave with his choices on the ball. It felt significant that the 22-year-old delivered this display in the absence of Jamal Musiala, the player who he combined so well with at Euro 2024. It’s clear that even on his own, Wirtz can be the man for Germany when they need a spark.
  • Lennart Karl — The 18-year-old looked steady off the bench in Basel, but in Stuttgart he exploded into life. Bayern Munich’s newest jewel gave German coach Julian Nagelsmann a lot of good reasons to have him in the squad this summer. The agile playmaker worked hard to win the ball back and ran at the Ghana defense at every opportunity. His desire to take on players is exciting to watch and an all-too rare a sight for Germany these days. He should have capped his performance off with a goal, but he sent the ball wide. Nevertheless, Karl looks destined to be on the plane now.
  • Nathaniel Brown — Perhaps it is too generous to say a player who only played 60 minutes against a largely defensive Ghana side was a winner during this international break, but such is the concern around the left-back spot for Germany that it might just be enough. The Frankfurt defender looked more than competent when called upon. A spot in the squad looks almost certain for the 22-year-old now, and given David Raum has not exactly made the spot his own, there is a possibility that even more gametime awaits Brown.

Losers

  • Angelo Stiller — He might be Stuttgart’s midfield conductor and darts prodigy Luke Littler’s favorite German player, but Stiller did not make the most of an unexpected chance. Called up after injuries to others, Stiller started both games but looked a little uncertain with the ball at times. He was also slow to close down Switzerland for their opener in Basel, a point that did not go unnoticed by Julian Nagelsmann. Pascal Gross’s decent showing in Stuttgart means it looks like this World Cup might come too soon for Stiller.
  • Julian Nagelsmann claps during a Germany match
    Julian Nagelsmann knows the core of his squad but has some big decisions to makeImage: Tom Weller/dpa/picture alliance
  • Nico Schlotterbeck — Despite starting both games and clearly being one half of the favored central defensive pairing with Jonathan Tah, the Dortmund defender struggled. He was sloppy in Switzerland, twice making mistakes in the build-up play that proved costly. In Stuttgart he was a bit more stable, but still looked a little out of sorts at times. He will travel and will likely start, but this might have given Nagelsmann food for thought over the recent decision to make Antonio Rüdiger a back-up.
  • Nick Woltemade  The plan was for the Newcastle striker to gain some confidence this break after enduring a tricky spell in England. Nagelsmann even spoke about how it made more sense to play a striker needing a boost rather than one in form (Deniz Undav). Sadly, the 24-year-old wasn’t able to make the most of it. In Switzerland, he did little with his 20 minutes off the bench other than head his one chance wide. In Stuttgart, he played almost 80 minutes but still couldn’t get on the scoresheet, missing a glorious chance in the first half and then hitting the bar in the second. He will almost certainly be in squad come May, but until then he needs to rediscover his form.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Cris Carter Unloads Another Juicy Take

Published

on

Advertisement

Cris Carter runs a route during a Vikings game against the Buccaneers
Oct 29, 2000; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter (80) runs a route during game action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, showcasing his precise route-running and reliable hands in a matchup that highlighted his Hall of Fame-caliber consistency. Mandatory Credit: Paul Chapman-USA TODAY Sports

About three months ago, the Houston Texans walloped the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard Round of the postseason, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t made a decision about returning to Pittsburgh or retiring. According to former Minnesota Vikings wideout and Hall of Famer Cris Carter, that’s selfish and weird.

Rodgers’ drawn-out timeline keeps pulling fresh reactions from former NFL voices.

Carter teed off on Rodgers this week, speaking to the Fully Loaded podcast.

Advertisement

Carter Zeroes In on the Odd Rhythm of Rodgers’ Offseason

Will Rodgers eventually return to the Steelers? If so, when?

Aaron Rodgers sprints out during pregame introductions at Acrisure Stadium. Cris Carter Aaron Rodgers.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs onto the field during pregame introductions at Acrisure Stadium, with Nov 16, 2025 capturing the atmosphere as fans filled the stands ahead of a divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighting the anticipation and energy surrounding the veteran quarterback before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Carter on Rodgers

Carter discussed an array of topics on the show, even opining on CTE, a condition deemed “fake” by New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo.

On Rodgers, Carter opined, “You know he wants to play, but he just didn’t want to make up his mind. You need some time away from the game. It’s been a couple months from the Super Bowl. Now’s that time, before the draft, the minicamps. They’re an average team in the league. Aaron Rodgers is like a lot of these quarterbacks when they get to this stage.”

Advertisement

“They’re so … so selfish. They never want to be called that, but they’re so selfish, and they’re so self-centered. Aaron Rodgers wants to play. He’s got one place that he can play. That’s in Pittsburgh, the place he played in last year, that happens to have his ex-coach.”

One might argue that sums up the general public’s sentiment regarding Rodgers’s bizarre waiting game.

This Is How It Always Goes for Rodgers

Since the 2021 offseason, Rodgers has done this annually, teasing his employer about his intentions, whether to stick around, retire, or ask for a ticket out of town. This go-round, Rodgers is holding the Steelers hostage, waiting at least three months before making his decision.

Advertisement

He’s the only quarterback who currently does this. Before Rodgers, Hall of Famer Brett Favre did the same thing, creating a suspense thriller about his offseason outcome, dating back to the early 2000s in Green Bay and proceeding for about a decade — every offseason.

All other quarterbacks throughout NFL history either return or retire, but Rodgers and Favre prefer drama to the max. In fact, last summer, Rodgers declared that 2025 would probably be his last. The season came and went, and after this team stunk up the playoffs, he claimed it was way too early to make an emotional decision.

He must be feeling emotional three months later because nothing has happened on the Rodgers cliffhanger front.

The Current Rumor Mill

Advertisement

Most believe that because Rodgers has not retired, he’ll return for one more run in Pittsburgh, mainly because he would’ve retired by now.

The Athletic’s Mike Silver said about the situation this week: “I think time has kind of made them feel like ‘hey, that was a pretty good thing. We’ve been through a lot.’ And so Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers have been talking about this.”

“I think the Steelers organizationally are reasonably upbeat about the possibility of Aaron coming back and playing another season. They still don’t really have a great option for 2026 if Aaron says no or if he says, ‘You know what, I need a few more months.’ Cautious optimism in the building that Aaron Rodgers will come back.”

Betting markets suggest there’s about an 85% chance that Rodgers will return for Year No. 22.

Advertisement
Cris Carter speaks at a banquet as keynote speaker for a scholarship foundation event. Cris Carter Aaron Rodgers.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter speaks during the Winged Foot Scholarship Foundation’s 34th annual banquet, with May 15, 2023 in Naples, Florida marking the event at Naples Grande Beach Resort as attendees gathered to hear from the former Vikings star and keynote speaker. Mandatory Credit: Ed Reed-Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Steeler writer Tyler Maher added this week, “It’s April, and the NFL Draft is only two weeks away, but the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a starting quarterback for next season. It sounds like they’re expecting it to be Aaron Rodgers, who is still debating whether he wants to return, retire or play elsewhere after spending 2025 with the Steelers.”

“That said, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a good backup plan in place if Rodgers doesn’t return, as Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only quarterbacks on the Steelers’ roster at the moment. The Steelers have done a good job improving their roster this offseason, so time will tell.”

Rodgers’ Performance in 2025

In 2025, Rodgers passed for 3,322 yards with the Steelers, despite their conservative, run-heavy offensive scheme. He completed 65.7% of his passes, throwing 24 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

However, while his traditional statistics appeared strong, his efficiency metrics suggested a different story. Rodgers ranked around 19th in the league in EPA+CPOE, putting him in a similar tier to players like Jacoby Brissett and rookie Tyler Shough.

Advertisement
Aaron Rodgers gestures after a first down during a game in Dublin against the Vikings. Cris Carter Aaron Rodgers.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland, IRL; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) gestures after converting a first down during second-half action against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park, reacting to the moment as part of an NFL International Series game played overseas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2025 version of Rodgers was reliable, but he lacked the game-changing talent that defined his MVP seasons of 2020 and 2021.

Normally, one would surmise something to the effect of “Rodgers will likely notify the team of his plan before the draft on April 23rd,” but this is Rodgers, so all bets are off.

He’ll turn 43 in December.


avatar

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

MLB roundup: Xander Bogaerts’ 12th-inning slam powers Padres past Rockies

Published

on

MLB: Colorado Rockies at San Diego PadresApr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.

David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.

Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.

Twins 3, Tigers 1

Advertisement

Brooks Lee pulled an eighth-inning, two-run single through the right side of the infield, and Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit.

Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the Twins to complete a four-game sweep over the Tigers. Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings. Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games. Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Athletics 1, Yankees 0

Advertisement

Jeffrey Springs allowed one hit in seven outstanding innings to lead the visiting Athletics past New York.

Springs (2-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, surrendering just two walks while striking out six. Max Muncy tripled and scored off a Tyler Soderstrom single to help the Athletics record their first series win over the Yankees since April 2016.

Ben Rice broke up Springs’ no-hit bid with a single for New York’s only hit of the day. Ryan Weathers (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite surrendering just one run on seven hits in a season-high seven innings. The Yankees haven’t scored since taking a two-run lead on Luis Severino in the first inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss.

Advertisement

White Sox 2, Royals 0

Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as Chicago snapped its 14-game road losing streak to Kansas City.

Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0) was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He yielded three hits on a career-high 100 pitches.

Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Advertisement

Diamondbacks 7, Mets 1

Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning for Arizona, which went on to rout host New York in the decisive game of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series. Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over six innings.

Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8. Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Advertisement

Marlins 8, Reds 1

Owen Caissie and Javier Sanoja combined for six hits and five RBIs to lead host Miami to a defeat of Cincinnati, earning a split of the four-game set.

In a battle of former first-round picks, Miami’s Max Meyer (1-0) allowed four hits, three walks and one run in five innings, striking out four.

Reds starter Rhett Lowder (1-1) entered the game with the best eight-game ERA (1.30) in Reds history with a minimum of 30 innings. He had never allowed more than three runs in a game. On Thursday, he allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Caissie (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Sanoja (3-for-4, two RBIs) led Miami’s offense. Agustin Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

Advertisement

–Field Level Media

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Manchester United’s latest deal has been backed by three important people

Published

on

Man Utd defender Harry Maguire signed a new contract this week to extend his stay at Old Trafford by at least another season.

Earlier this week, Harry Maguire shared an image signing his new contract, along with his two daughters, who wore Manchester United shirts with ‘Daddy’ on the back.

The caption alongside the picture read: “My club.” Maguire has spent more time at United than any other club, but you would have got long odds on his association potentially lasting as many as nine years when he was in the doldrums in 2023.

Advertisement

Maguire signed a one-year deal, with the option of another 12 months, meaning he could stay in Manchester until 2028. The defender was born in Sheffield, but it’s across the Pennines where he now calls home.

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.

Maguire’s time at United looked set to end in the summer of 2023. He suffered a huge loss of form in 2021/22 and made eight league starts in the following campaign under Erik ten Hag, who stripped him of the captaincy.

West Ham were interested in signing him and, in another world, Maguire moved to the London Stadium. He stayed, fought for his place and enjoyed a renaissance instead. Who doesn’t love a comeback story?

Advertisement

Maguire has become a fan favourite and there’s no doubt that the peaks and troughs have helped to endear him to supporters. He was mocked, once being booed by England ‘fans’ on international duty, and he showed extraordinary mental resilience to come through that period.

“Sometimes it did cross my mind at the time just thinking, ‘Why? I don’t know why it has done this. I don’t know where it’s come from’,” he said of dealing with the abuse during a chat with journalists last week.

“My form dipped a little bit, yeah, of course, everyone does that in their career. But I was in a situation where I was just a lad from Sheffield playing for such a huge club. I thought this is what happens – this is the fault of the club not performing well.

“But when you look back it probably did go a little bit too far. At the time, I can remember thinking I just don’t know how this has really happened. I don’t know how it’s changed so quickly.”

Advertisement

Maguire’s mentality is the reason his situation has changed quickly. Not many players would be able to survive at United having reached such a low point, but the England international got his head down and worked hard.

The result is that he remains hugely important at United. The Reds needed to retain Maguire’s experience and quality, so it was a no-brainer to tie him down to a new deal on reduced terms.

There have been ringing endorsements since his contract was announced. “Harry has been here very long. I always say this in a way that is easy to understand. People like fresh meat, when you have the same meat for too long, you want a new one, and football is like that,” Bruno Fernandes told Men in Blazers.

Advertisement

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

“You have the same players and people want to change them, but when you change them and it doesn’t work out, you want those players back. People want new names, they want excitement and different people with the shirt, and that’s normal. H has coped very well with that.

“He’s been very important in many moments for us, and he deserves this recognition from the club because he’s very important for the team and the dressing room. Losing someone of his experience and his voice for a season when things will change, you still need some pillars at the club.”

Advertisement

Michael Carrick told Sky Sports: “We’re delighted that Harry’s agreed, and it’s been done, and I think stability and consistency [are] important. He’s been through everything at this club. He knows what it’s all about.

“The way he handles himself, his character and he’s been terrific since I’ve [come] back and credit to him for that, really. I think the experience is important. We got a really good mix within the squad of some really talented and high-end ability-wise, younger players.”

Carrick added: “We have a good number of players in what we kind of class as the peak years. And Harry’s obviously at that stage where he is getting a little bit further down the line in terms of career.

Advertisement

“But it doesn’t diminish the importance of what he can be and the example and the understanding [he has]. And a little bit of just knowing what it feels like to be here and so to have him around for longer is fantastic.”

Jason Wilcox said: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad. Harry is completely determined to help United to achieve regular and sustained success.”

Maguire has the backing of all the important figures at United.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025