This year is full of momentous sporting events in the United States, including a first-of-its-kind UFC card at the White House.
However, the event, scheduled for June 14, will cost the UFC a pretty penny.
TKO Group Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro spoke about the White House event on a quarterly financial call during which he said the promotion is expecting a price tag “upwards of $60 million.”
UFC President and CEO Dana White reacts during a bantamweight fight between Adrian Luna Martinetti of Ecuador and Mark Vologdin of Russia during Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, week nine at UFC APEX Oct. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“I think by the time all is said and done with the event and what we pay the fighters and the fan fest that we’re going to have, that could move north,” Shapiro said of the expected cost, according to SB Nation. “It’s definitely not moving south. It could move north. Bottom line, it’s still a moving target.”
TKO Group Holdings is taking on all the costs of the event, which included building an arena on the south lawn of the White House and paying its fighters. The UFC hopes to get at least half of that $60 million back through sponsorships and other avenues, but it’s still expected to be a big loss.
“We are working to determine, on a parallel track, a package of inventory in and around the weekend of events we can monetize, primarily with corporate partners,” Shapiro said. “[Business to business] players that will offset half of the spend. Even if that $60 [million] goes up or rides up on us, we believe we can offset half of the spend.”
Advertisement
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Shapiro said there are “several current and prospective partners that are pursuing multi-year partnerships” with TKO that would be inclusive to the White House event.
It isn’t a surprise to TKO or the UFC that the price tag is so high. The promotion’s CEO, Dana White, previously said it would be one of his most expensive events in history.
UFC CEO Dana White talks to President-elect Donald Trump ringside during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.(Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
In the end, everyone involved wants to do whatever it takes to make this event one of the greatest in American history, especially with it being heavily involved in the America 250 celebration this year.
Advertisement
“I want to be clear about something. We will not profit from the White House event independently,” Shapiro said. “We will not be making money on America’s 250th anniversary.
“This is an investment for the long term. This is about earned media. This is about sampling, new fans, casual viewers, a spectacle on a stage that will ultimately expand our audience, our viewership and our success on Paramount+.”
UFC CEO and President Dana White during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena June 29, 2024.(Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
White has previously promised the “greatest fight card ever assembled” for this event. Many superstar fighters have publicly lobbied to be involved on the card, though negotiations have not begun yet.
Feb 26, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) skates with the puck towards an open net in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Utah Mammoth will look to play with more pace in their game when they oppose the Minnesota Wild on Friday night in Salt Lake City.
Utah opened its post-Olympic-break portion of the schedule with a 4-2 home loss against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.
Dylan Guenther scored twice and Karel Vejmelka made 22 saves for Utah, which had won back-to-back games prior to the break.
“We played a good team, but I didn’t like our grind. I didn’t like our physicality,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “I thought we didn’t have the pace we should have in our zone and on the forecheck. I don’t think we were the fastest team tonight, and that’s what makes us special. We need to realize that and be much better next game.”
Mammoth forward Logan Cooley returned to the lineup after missing 28 games with a lower-body injury, and he chipped in an assist in the loss.
Advertisement
“It’s good to be back out there with the guys,” Cooley said. “It’s no fun sitting in the stands watching them. It kind of felt like a long journey. There was a lot of hard work that went into it. … It felt good to be back.”
Captain Clayton Keller paces Utah with 38 assists and 55 points in 58 games, while Guenther has a team-leading 27 tallies in 56 games.
The Mammoth, who sit fourth in the Central Division, hold the top Western Conference wild-card spot. They are 11-4-1 in their past 16 games and 17-9-2 on home ice this season.
Advertisement
“You haven’t played for a while, so you want to make nice plays,” Guenther said of the Wednesday loss. “You don’t really have your A-game yet, so just playing your B-game solid, and I thought we did that better in the third (period).”
The Friday game will be the second of three meetings between the Mammoth and Wild. Utah upended Minnesota 6-2 on Oct. 25 in Saint Paul, Minn.
The Wild travel to Utah for the second game of a back-to-back set following a 5-2 win over the Avalanche on Thursday in Denver.
“I thought the guys did a good job preparing, whether they were at the Olympics or not at the Olympics,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “I thought everyone came together as a group and played well. Now we got another big one (on Friday) against Utah. I think to get a win was obviously nice and important for us, and now we can build from there.”
Advertisement
Matt Boldy scored twice and added two assists, Joel Eriksson Ek netted a pair and Mats Zucccarello added the other for the Wild, who have won six straight and are 9-1-1 over their past 11.
Kirill Kaprizov chipped in a pair of assists as the Wild improved to 18-8-3 on the road while moving into second place in the Central Division.
Filip Gustavsson made 44 saves before being replaced late in the third period after vomiting in the goal crease. Jesper Wallstedt took over and allowed one goal on two shots in 1:04 of relief.
Wallstedt, the likely starter on Friday, is 14-5-4 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average in 24 games (23 starts) this season. He has never opposed Utah in his career.
Friday’s NBA slate features five games. Among the notable NBA odds include Cavaliers vs. Pistons (-6.5), Grizzlies vs. Mavericks (-4.5) and Nuggets vs. Thunder (-8.5). The largest NBA spread of the day has Boston as a 17.5-point favorite over Brooklyn. The Nets look to snap a six-game losing streak.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered Week 19 on a sizzling 38-18 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
After simulating every game 10,000 times, the model is backing the Over 208.5 points in the Nets vs. Celtics game, which covers nearly 70% of the time. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Celtics have won nine of the last 10 meetings with the Nets with the Over covering in the last meeting. The Over has covered in seven of the last 10 Brooklyn games. There are no significant injuries for either team entering the contest.
Boston is averaging 114.4 points per game, while Brooklyn averages 107. Guard Jaylen Brown leads the Celtics, averaging 29.1 points in 52 games, all starts. In three games against the Nets this season, he is averaging 27.3 points in 36.3 minutes. In the last meeting with Brooklyn, a 130-126 overtime victory, Brown registered a triple-double with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
Advertisement
The model is projecting three Nets players to score in double-figures, including Michael Porter Jr. with 20.4 projected points. Boston is projected to have four players score 15.1 points or more, led by Brown’s 29.5 points. The teams are projected to combine for 220 points, as the Over is projected to cover in nearly 70% of simulations. See which other NBA parlay picks to make here.
We finally saw the return of best-on-best hockey at the Olympics for the first time in 12 years and it didn’t disappoint. It was an incredible gold-medal game between Canada and the U.S. that added another chapter to their storied rivalry, one that now seems set to only grow over the next decade.
As good a showcase as it was for the sport, not everyone escaped unscathed. There were a handful of injuries to significant players that will now have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the NHL season. Some key players are set to miss substantial time, which is going to have a major impact on playoff races and could even alter the plans of a few teams leading up to the trade deadline.
Let’s look at four injuries that could shape how the standings play out the rest of the way.
If the Penguins plan to complete an improbable run to the post-season, they’re going to have to do most of the work without their captain.
Advertisement
The news that Sidney Crosby is expected to miss the next month after suffering an injury at the Olympics is a devastating blow to their hopes. Crosby was on pace for 86 points before going down and is still the Penguins’ most important player by a mile. Evgeni Malkin continues to play at a high level, but is he still capable of putting this team on his back for a critical month with a congested schedule at age 39?
Pittsburgh is holding down second place in the Metro, just one point up on the New York Islanders, five up on the Washington Capitals and seven ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. There is some cushion for the Pens there, but those leads could erode quickly without Crosby. If Pittsburgh slips in the division, it could still grab a wild-card spot, though that’s easier said than done. The Buffalo Sabres are tied with the Penguins and the Boston Bruins are one point behind, so earning a top-three divisional spot might actually be easier for Pittsburgh than going the wild card route.
If you’re a Penguins fan looking at the glass half full, general manager Kyle Dubas has made some savvy acquisitions and has stockpiled a ton of draft picks. So Pittsburgh is in a good position moving forward. They have 16 combined picks over the second and third rounds of the next four drafts, meaning they could theoretically spare one or two and add leading up to the deadline without doing much damage to their rebuild.
If all goes well, Crosby could potentially return for Pittsburgh’s final nine or 10 games of the season. Can the Pens survive in the race until that reinforcement arrives? You know Crosby is hungry for at least one more playoff run in Pittsburgh, and it’s going to take a serious effort over the next month to keep his chances alive.
Advertisement
Mikko Rantanen doesn’t project to miss as much time as Crosby, but he is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks with an injury he suffered while playing for Finland in Milan. The good news for the Dallas Stars is that they aren’t in as precarious a position as the Penguins when it comes to the playoffs. They have a spot all but secured and are just jockeying for positioning in the Central.
Dallas is likely going to have to go through Colorado and Minnesota — arguably the two best teams in the NHL — in the first two rounds if it hopes to make a deep run. The Stars need to put themselves in the best position possible if they hope to get through that gauntlet. Currently, they sit third in the Central, one point behind the Wild and six behind the Avalanche. Any hope of catching Colorado could be fading now that Rantanen is set to miss a bunch of games, but finishing ahead of Minnesota could be key.
If the Stars play the Wild in the opening round, it’s likely going to be an incredibly tight series where something like home-ice advantage could end up being the difference. There’s also the possibility Minnesota could end up catching Colorado and jumping them for the division title, which would mean an even tougher matchup for the Stars if they meet the Avalanche in Round 1.
Both the Wild and Avalanche seemed poised to try and make a major addition prior to the deadline, with a centre upgrade as their rumoured target. That could also give them an edge down the stretch with Rantanen out and may force the Stars to follow suit. Unfortunately, Dallas doesn’t have its 2026 first-round pick or much cap space to absorb a talented player, so swinging a deal will be complicated. The Stars ultimately may not be able to make a huge splash and instead might have to cross their fingers that Rantanen returns sooner rather than later.
Advertisement
If there was one sour note from the Olympic tournament, it was that Kevin Fiala was lost for the season after a brutal injury while playing for Switzerland. Now the Los Angeles Kings have a hole in their top six after bolstering it before the break with the acquisition of Artemi Panarin.
The Kings are three points out of a playoff spot and five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for third in the Pacific, so they’re very much in the mix. Even with the addition of Panarin, Fiala is still a big loss for their lineup, as he scored 35 goals last year and was on pace for around 30 again this year. Replacing that scoring isn’t going to be easy, but you can bet the Kings are going to try with this being Anze Kopitar’s last season. They’ll surely want to try and give him a final playoff run on the way out.
Los Angeles was probably hoping to bolster its centre depth after dealing Phillip Danault, though now it may be in the market for a winger as well without Fiala. The Kings might not be able to make a major move, but could they look at someone like Bobby McMann or Blake Coleman to help replace the loss of Fiala?
Both players can score and play with physicality, something that would help the Kings if they hope to finally get past the first round and the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings have the advantage of owning all their first-round picks, and it may end up costing them one if they truly want to upgrade their top six.
Advertisement
It doesn’t appear that Josh Morrissey will be out that long after getting banged up at the Olympics, but every game is precious to the Winnipeg Jets at this point. The Jets are nine points out of a playoff spot with three teams to leapfrog, and last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are going to have to go on an incredible run if they hope to make up ground.
Making things even more challenging for the Jets is that Neal Pionk is now out week-to-week with an injury of his own, thinning out the blue line that much more. It’s a possibility that Morrissey could return as soon as next week after the Jets return home from their three-game road trip, though at this point, Winnipeg can’t afford to just survive without him in the lineup. They need to get on a winning streak immediately.
Morrissey is really the Jets’ only true puck mover on their defence corps, and the team is very top-heavy up front, so his loss is massive from an offensive perspective. Six-foot-seven Logan Stanley will quarterback the power play in Morrissey’s absence, and he had never recorded more than 14 points in a season coming into this year. To say the offence is likely to sputter without Morrissey is a major understatement.
Even if Morrissey misses more than a handful of games, I wouldn’t expect the Jets to try and acquire a stopgap via trade. Winnipeg is too far back in the playoff chase to be spending assets for a short-term fix. Unless there’s someone who is young and has some term, it seems unlikely the Jets would add to try and spark a miracle post-season push. The most likely path forward for the Jets is they now start selling some pending UFAs to recoup some assets and regroup for 2026-27.
LSU has long held the belt as “Wide Receiver U,” but Ohio State has been making a push in recent years to take it away from them. The Buckeyes have produced several high-profile wideouts, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl LX title after leading the NFL in receiving yards during the regular season. Ohio State has also ushered in the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Terry McLaurin, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka into the NFL over the last few years.
Could Carnell Tate be the latest OSU pass catcher to take the NFL by storm?
At 21 years old, he is earmarked to be a first-round pick at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh later this spring, and could very well be the first wideout to come off the board. While CBS Sports’ Mike Renner has Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson as his top receiver entering the NFL Scouting Combine, Tate was a close second and even has him as the first receiver selected in his latest mock draft due to Tyson’s injury history. CBS Sports Senior NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson has Tate as WR1 in his most recent mock as well.
Advertisement
Tate is an enticing prospect who could prove to be a stellar downfield threat at the NFL level, and his route-running ability could have him ascend quickly into stardom. He possesses good size, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 195 pounds. For the Buckeyes last season, Tate averaged 17.2 yards per reception, hauling in 51 balls for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
The question surrounding Tate is where he’ll end up. While the 2026 NFL Draft is still months away, let’s dive into a handful of landing spots that could make sense for the Ohio State pass catcher.
Advertisement
New York Giants (No. 5)
The Giants are stepping into a new era in 2026. After landing Jaxson Dart as its QB of the future last year, the team has since hired John Harbaugh as its head coach, and the future is looking bright. That said, the offense could stand to add more weapons around Dart, especially with fellow wideout Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 4 and running back Cam Skattebo suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8. It remains to be seen if those two young weapons will be ready to go to begin the 2026 campaign, so an addition like Tate makes sense to provide some immediate artillery for Dart as he begins his sophomore season. Once Nabers and Skattebo return to full strength, New York would suddenly have a dynamic young core at the skill positions with Tate in the fold.
Cleveland Browns (No. 6)
The Browns still have major questions at quarterback, but there is no viable option for them to take at No. 6 overall. Instead, they should continue building around QB and ride the momentum they struck at the 2025 draft. There, they brought in the likes of running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, along with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who led the team with 731 yards receiving last season. This go-around, adding a playmaker like Tate would give Cleveland a much-needed boost at receiver. Currently, the room is made up of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Isaiah Bond. Jeudy was second on the team with 602 yards receiving, and Bond was third with 338 yards. Whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or someone else, bringing in a playmaker like Tate will help Todd Monken’s offense get off the ground in 2026.
Washington Commanders (No. 7)
The 2026 season was a disaster for Washington. After reaching the NFC Championship in Jayden Daniels‘ rookie season, his second year in the league saw him limited to seven games due to injury, and the defense regressed to one of the league’s worst units. While there’s an argument to be made to add to the defensive side of the ball after surrendering a league-worst 384.0 yards per game, Washington also needs more weapons around Daniels. Deebo Samuel is unlikely to return as he hits unrestricted free agency, leaving Terry McLaurin as still the top option, along with Luke McCaffrey. Even veteran tight end Zach Ertz, 35, is a free agent, so there is a need to get younger and more dynamic at pass catcher for the Commanders. Selecting Tate inside the top 10 accomplishes both.
It doesn’t seem this offseason, but Travis Kelce is going to retire at some point, which means the Chiefs need to begin transitioning the offense around Patrick Mahomes into the next era. Through the first half of Mahomes’ career, Kelce has been the linchpin of the offense and his go-to target. The team has brought in the likes of Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in recent seasons, but they haven’t hit as big as the team has hoped both on and off the field. Neither of them feels like a dependable option to lean on in a post-Kelce world, and Rice is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. So, K.C. would be best served to keep hunting for Mahomes’ next top-tier weapons, and that could very well be Tate.
Los Angeles Rams (No. 13)
You might look at the Rams and think that wide receiver is one of the last positions they’d look to with this first-round pick, but don’t be fooled, this is a sneaky need for the organization. While Puka Nacua is arguably the best wide receiver that the NFL has to offer, Davante Adams is entering his age-33 season and the final year of his contract. Tate could be a solid addition to an already lethal L.A. offense for 2026 and then ascend to a bigger role in 2027 if/when Adams and the team part ways. Because the Rams have two first-rounders in 2026 — No. 13 and No. 29 overall — they can add a luxury piece with one of them, which could be Tate. I view this in a somewhat similar light to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — who had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. — drafting Emeka Egbuka last offseason.
Edelschnee is a local specialty item in Wuthering Waves. It is generally used as a character ascension material and can be found in the Roya Frostlands – Frostlands Surface. Rovers planning to get Luuk Herrsen will require this material to level him up, and luckily, one can get more than enough drops for his max ascension. Besides the farming spot, Edelschnee can also be purchased from one of the in-game shops.
This article will cover all the locations where you can find Edelschnee, along with an additional way of obtaining them in Wuthering Waves.
Wuthering Waves: All Edelschnee locations and farming guide
Edelschnee location #1
First Edelschnee farming spot (Image via Kuro Games)
Teleport to the Resonance Nexus in the Ginnungamere Void Storm Monitoring Zone and head southwest to find the first Edelschnee farming location near the Treasure Chest Spot. You can find up to 12 Edelschnee in this area.
Advertisement
Edelschnee location #2
Second Edelschnee farming spot (Image via Kuro Games)
Return to the Resonance Nexus in the Ginnungamere Void Storm Monitoring Zone and go northwest to find the second Edelschnee farming location. You can find up to 20 Edelschnee in this area, making it the best spot to collect this material.
Last Edelschnee farming location (Image via Kuro Games)
Use the Resonance Beacon at the Roya Icebreak Port and go northeast to find an Outcast camp. Approaching them will trigger a hidden quest, but you can ignore that for now and just collect the three Edelscnee inside the tents.
Buy Edelschnee from N.A.N.A
Purchase Edelschnee from the Resonator Nursing Unit (Image via Kuro Games)
Teleport to the Resonator Nursing Unit in the Startorch Academy and speak with N.A.N.A to open the store. You can purchase 15 Edelschnee from her for 15000 Shell Credit. The story resets weekly, so you can come back here for more later.
You can get up to 68 Edelschnee by collecting all of them from the sources mentioned above. Meanwhile, Luuk Herrsen only needs 60 for max ascension, so you can obtain enough materials in one go.
By Spencer McLaughlin of Locked on CFB for SuperWest Sports
February 26, 2026
Advertisement
A report from On3 stated that $40 million rosters are here already in college football in the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
There should absolutely be a salary cap.
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Cincinnati’s lawsuit against Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby.
It’s the latest in a long line of legal challenges in the sport lately.
USC has announced its replacement of Notre Dame on the schedule, playing San Jose State in 2026.
The move isn’t good for the sport, but it is the right move for the Trojans.
Advertisement
00:00 Money Alone Can’t Guarantee Wins 04:55 College Football Salary Cap Debate 07:21 NIL Era: Money Always Increases 13:19 College Football Lawsuit Drama 16:54 NCAA Transfer Regulation Challenges 18:37 Transfer Portal Challenges and Concerns 24:39 USC’s Big Ten Transition Challenges 27:29 USC Season Hinges on Road
Feb 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Matt Savoie (22) advances the puck down ice against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist for his sixth straight 100-point season and Leon Draisaitl notched his eighth straight 30-goal campaign, and the Edmonton Oilers ended a season-high four-game skid with an 8-1 romp of the host Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.
McDavid has reached triple digits nine times overall in his career, third most in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (15) and Mario Lemieux (10).
Draisaitl had a goal and three assists, Zach Hyman a goal and two assists, Jake Walman scored twice, Andrew Mangiapane produced a goal and an assist and Connor Ingram made 21 saves for the Oilers, who were coming off a 6-5 loss at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday in the opener of the three-game California trip.
Warren Foegele scored for the Kings, who have dropped five in a row (0-4-1) to remain three points out of a playoff spot.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 11 of 15 shots before he was replaced by Anton Forsberg, who finished with 18 saves for Los Angeles, which lost 6-4 to the short-handed Vegas Golden Knights at home on Wednesday night.
Advertisement
.
The Oilers took a 2-0 lead in the first period for the second consecutive night, but this time they didn’t squander the two-goal advantage.
Matt Savoie, who had a goal and two assists against the Ducks and two assists against the Kings, led a 3-on-2 rush through the neutral zone before passing to Jack Roslovic on his left. He pulled up and made a cross-ice pass to Ty Emberson entering the right circle and he scored with a snap shot for a 1-0 lead at 7:25.
Advertisement
Vasily Podkolzin then scored from the left circle when his shot off the rush went under the left armpit of Kuemper and bounced across the goal line for a 2-0 lead at 8:19.
Foegele cut it to 2-1 at 12:15 of the first period when he deflected a point shot from Joel Edmundson into the net.
Los Angeles failed to capitalize on a four-minute high-sticking penalty on Darnell Nurse with 4:32 left in the first period and Edmonton continued to add to its lead.
Mangiapane kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and scored from the inside edge of the left circle to make it 3-1 at 2:59 of the second.
Advertisement
McDavid coerced Kuemper well out of his crease before taking the puck behind the net and scoring from the other side for a 4-1 lead at 4:58, ending Kuemper’s night.
Hyman scored for the second straight night, sweeping in the puck after a shot by Draisaitl had gone off the end boards while on a power play to stretch the lead to 5-1 at 8:44.
Draisaitl scored another power-play goal 31 seconds into the third for a 6-1 lead, and Walman made it 7-1 at 5:24.
Walman scored again from close to expand the lead to 8-1 at 7:36.
Advertisement
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (lower body) and forward Joel Armia (upper body) were injured during the game and did not return.
Team Akwa Ibom recorded their best performance in the history of the Niger Delta Games after finishing fourth at the second edition held in Benin City. The state amassed a total of 55 medals, including 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze, securing its highest-ever placement in the regional competition. Host state Edo emerged overall champions, Delta finished second, while Bayelsa placed third in a closely contested Games.
The fourth-place finish marks a significant improvement from the maiden edition, where Akwa Ibom ended sixth with 37 medals. The latest outing reflects the steady growth of sports in the state and the increasing competitiveness of its athletes across multiple disciplines.
Athletics was one of the major contributors to the medal haul, producing fourteen medals, including four gold, five silver and five bronze. David Udoh stood out with three gold medals in the men’s 400 metres, the 4×400 metres relay and the 4×400 metres mixed relay, playing a key role in the team’s success on the track.
Advertisement
Weightlifting also delivered twelve medals, comprising seven gold, two silver and three bronze. Samuel Cosmos Sampson emerged as one of the most decorated athletes of the Games, winning three gold medals in his category.
Taekwondo produced nine medals in total, including one gold, three silver and five bronze, highlighting the team’s depth across both sparring and poomsae events. Boxing accounted for four medals, including two gold and two bronze, reflecting solid performances in both male and female categories.
Tennis was also a major success for the state, delivering four medals, three of which were gold and one silver, making it one of the state’s most successful sports at the Games. Para-powerlifting contributed three medals, two silver and one bronze, while traditional wrestling produced two medals, one gold and one bronze. Wrestling added one bronze medal.
Advertisement
Table tennis added two silver medals, and Scrabble contributed three medals, one silver and two bronze. Swimming recorded one bronze medal, marking a historic breakthrough for the state in the sport.
Athletes who spoke after the Games attributed the improved performance to the strong support of Governor Umo Eno. They explained that the purchase of new equipment greatly enhanced their final weeks of preparation and contributed positively to their performances.
In separate remarks, the athletes also praised the well-coordinated State Liaison Committee headed by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey. They noted that the committee ensured a seamless flow of activities from preparation to participation at the Games, with no hitches recorded.
The active presence at competition venues by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, and the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, during the event, was also widely commended. Both officials toured venues consistently, cheering and motivating athletes, a gesture described as encouraging and morale-boosting.
Advertisement
With this historic fourth-place finish and record medal tally, Team Akwa Ibom has firmly established itself as a rising force in regional sports and will look ahead with confidence to future editions of the Niger Delta Games.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching, with racing fans and punters alike counting down the days until top-class jumps action returns to Prestbury Park.
The festival, spread out over four action-packed days, is one of the biggest betting events of the year and betting sites often save their best betting offers for Cheltenham.
The Independent’s team of gambling experts have put together a guide to the best Cheltenham free bets at online bookmakers, and taken a look at the different types of Cheltenham offers available and how to use them efficiently.
Rank
Bookmaker
Advertisement
Cheltenham Free Bets
1
Tote
Get up to £10 in Cheltenham free bets as a member of Tote’s Stayers Club. Opt in and wager either £2, £5 or £10 six times on Cheltenham, either as singles, multiples or other types of horse racing bets. Tote will match your wager in free bets, up to a maximum of £10.
Advertisement
2
BetGoodwin
Money back in free bets up to £100 if your horse loses by a nose, is beaten by a 50/1 shout or half-a-length in a chase, or if your horse falls at the last while leading at Cheltenham.
3
Advertisement
Unibet
Money back specials up to £20 if your horse finishes 2nd/3rd in selected Cheltenham races. Minimum bet £1.
4
10bet
Advertisement
Get a £10 free bet when you wager £75 or more on horse racing, including Cheltenham. Opt in and wager a minimum of £75 at odds of evens (2.0) or greater to unlock a £10 free bet. 4 x £10 free bets can be claimed each month.
5
Virgin Bet
Money back on selected ITV races, including Cheltenham. Place a wager on selected races (seven or more horses must start) and if your horse fails to win, Virgin Bet will credit users with a refund in free bets, up to a maximum of £10.
Advertisement
6
LiveScore Bet
Between the 10th and 13th of March, LiveScore Bet are giving customers a free Cheltenham bet each day when they bet on the first race of the day. The free bet can only be used on that day’s racing.
Cheltenham Festival offers take various forms, with horse racing betting sites running a variety of promotions during the meeting. Free bets are just one type of Cheltenham betting offer, and we’ve looked into the different types of promos bettors can expect during the festival.
Advertisement
Free Bets: Cheltenham free bet offers may come as part of a welcome bonus, or are available to existing customers via bet and get schemes, which involve a punter wagering a certain amount on a selected event to unlock a free bet.
Enhanced Odds/Price Boosts: Enhanced odds and price boosts are simply Cheltenham odds that have been improved (or enhanced) ahead of races. Bookmakers may choose to boost the price of a single horse or improve the odds on a multiple.
Non-Runner No Bet: Non-Runner No Bet is a feature that some bookies provide that stipulates that your bet will be voided – and your stake returned – if the horse you wagered on doesn’t run for whatever reason. These are particularly popular for those looking to have an ante-post bet on Cheltenham.
Best Odds Guaranteed: Best Odds Guaranteed is available from the majority of online bookmakers during Cheltenham. It guarantees that if you take an early price on a horse and the starting price (SP) is higher, the bookmaker will pay out at the better odds if your horse wins.
Advertisement
Money-Back Specials: Cheltenham offers various forms of money-back specials. They can involve a bookmaker refunding all losing bets on a certain race, or may require a punter’s selection to finish in a certain position to qualify for reimbursement. The most common type of money-back offer is the 2nd to the SP favourite promotion, which is available during Cheltenham and throughout the year in the UK and Ireland.
Bookmaker
Cheltenham Sign-Up Offer
Betfred
Advertisement
Bet £10 and get £50 in free bets (3 x £10 sports free bets & 2 x £10 acca free bets) which can be wagered entirely on Cheltenham.
talkSPORT BET
Wager £10 on any horse racing market and receive £40 in horse racing free bets, split into 4 x £10 free bet tokens.
Bet365
Advertisement
Get up to £30 in free bets to wager on Cheltenham by betting £10 on any sports market with bet365.
Coral
Bet £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sport and receive £50 in free bets to use on selected sports markets.
Betway
Advertisement
Wager between £5 and £30 on a racing multiple (three or more selections) with Betway and get a 100 per cent matched free bet, up to £30 and a £30 Uber Eats voucher.
Bettors should always read the terms and conditions of any Cheltenham free bet offer before opting in.
Here are some of the T&Cs to keep an eye out for:
Minimum deposits: These may range anywhere from as low as £5 up to £50, depending on the betting site and your chosen promotion.
Advertisement
Odds Requirements: Free bets for Cheltenham may have a minimum odds requirement, or a minimum number of selections if you’re required to place a multiple.
Wagering requirements: Some bookmakers have introduced wagering requirements for free bet offers. This means punters may have to wager any winnings from free bets a certain number of times before it becomes cash and can be withdrawn.
Free bet types: Check which bet types you receive from a free bet offer. Some bookmakers will limit a free bet to a certain sport or bet type, such as a bet builder.
Bettors are spoilt for choice during Cheltenham when it comes to betting offers, but some are definitely better than others.
Advertisement
Here’s our guide to finding the right Cheltenham Festival offers:
Individual preferences: Different bettors will be seeking different types of offers. Perhaps you are interested in a bookmaker that runs regular free bet promotions, or one that provides a steady stream of enhanced odds and winnings offers. Make sure to select the bookmaker that fits your needs.
Welcome offers: For bettors seeking a Cheltenham welcome offer, make sure it includes free bets that can be used to wager on Cheltenham or bet types you are comfortable with. Some betting sites place restrictions on their welcome bonus, such as only offering football free bets to new customers.
Terms and conditions: Regarding terms, make sure they are as unrestrictive as possible. Favourable terms include no maximum win cap, a longer timeframe to use any rewards, a range of available payment methods or the amount needed to make the qualifying wager.
Wagering requirements: The best offers carry no wagering requirements, meaning you can withdraw winnings (or re-use them to your preference) without being forced to re-stake them. This is more common on casino sites, but some new betting sites impose them on sportsbook offers.
Offer validity: Ensure the offer is valid for a reasonable period – for Cheltenham, this may be until the final races of the festival or until the end of the day.
It can take time and practice to learn how to bet on horses. Bettors are reminded to wager only what they are willing to lose and to keep betting on Cheltenham fun.
For those wanting to bet on Cheltenham, here are five key considerations:
Horse: Take a look at the horse’s recent form and how it has performed in the past at Cheltenham or over the distance they’ll be running.
Trainer: Research the particular trainer’s record at Cheltenham and in certain races. Some trainers, such as Willie Mullins, have excellent track records for training Cheltenham winners.
Jockey: It pays to have a look at the jockey’s record and relationship with the horse, as well as their past experience at Cheltenham with other horses and trainers.
Weather and course: The weather can play a big part in how a horse performs. Some horses will go better on firm ground, while others prefer a bit of give underfoot. Check the going at Cheltenham before having a look at a horse’s record in those conditions.
Type of bet: Research which sort of bets you are comfortable making. Inexperienced bettors may want to stick to single or each-way bets for Cheltenham, while others will be happy to go for multiples or system bets, such as placepots. These bets offer bigger potential returns, but can be confusing and carry greater risk.
The New Lion has since become the 2/1 Champion Hurdle favourite, with Constitution Hill now odds-on to land Group/Grade Flat prize in 2026 instead.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Jumps fans were on cloud nine last Friday night when Constitution Hill romped home at Southwell, full of hope that the former Champion Hurdler would take his chance at redemption in two weeks’ time.
Advertisement
“However, with Nicky Henderson ruling him out of the Festival, the story has taken yet another turn.”
While it’s a great shame for the sport that he won’t line up to try and regain his Champion Hurdle crown, it is good news for our ante-post book, as he was one of our biggest losers of the entire week. His absence has shaken up the betting, with The New Lion the new favourite, followed by Brighterdaysahead at 11/4.
Lee Phelps, William Hill
Meanwhile, Hills have revealed which Cheltenham Festival handicappers are making them sweat in the lead-up to this year’s event.
Advertisement
McLaurey, Backmersackme, Koktail Divin and The Yellow Clay have all shortened in the handicap betting this week.
“With the weights for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps just revealed, there are some well-handicapped horses that we think have been let in lightly,” added spokesperson Lee Phelps.
“As a result, we’ve seen some interest already, and enough to see some notable market moves. McLaurey has the option of the Plate and the Jack Richards, and we are very wary of the JP McManus-owned chaser.
“He looks to have a nice mark and has shortened from 6/1 from 8/1 for both options as a result. Koktail Divin is another shortener in the Jack Richards – he’s into 8/1 from 10/1.”
Advertisement
Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a sure-fire way to make money.
When taking advantage of Cheltenham Festival betting offers, 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 apps, poker sites, bingo sites or any other type of betting site.
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:
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.
USC has announced its replacement of Notre Dame on the schedule, playing San Jose State in 2026. 
