Free bets are available across UK betting sites for new and existing customers, though value varies widely depending on odds, expiry and restrictions.
At The Independent, our experts have done the hard work to find the best free bet offers through our impartial, detailed analysis, with the aim of providing users with relevant information on the best betting sign up offers that include free bets.
Our evaluations focus on the accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and availability, ensuring our recommendations are reliable offer low minimum stakes, plenty of options for using free bets and clear T&Cs.
Every site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by the UKGC too, ensuring that users can rest assured that they are using a trusted site when claiming free bet offers.
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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
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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.
Betting Site
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Offer Type
Min. Bet
Free Bet Value
Best For
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Ladbrokes
Bet & Get
£5
£30
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Low-stake sign up value
Betano
Bet & Get
£10
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£50
Football free bets
Tote
Bet & Get
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£10
£30
Horse racing free bets
Bet365
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Moneyback Special
£10
£10
Ongoing money-back as free bet offers
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Virgin Bet
Free Bet Club
£20
£5 weekly
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Ongoing rewards for regular bettors
Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.
Ladbrokes – Best low-stake free bet offer
The Ladbrokes sign up offer provides the best value betting sign up offer for new customers, with users able to unlock £30 in free bets from just a £5 stake.
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Users only need to place a qualifying wager on a sport with 1/2 odds, which is one of the lowest thresholds for welcome offers online, with the added freedom of being able to be on any sport.
There’s plenty of flexibility where to place your qualifying bet on both sports and bet types. There’s also 14 days to secure this betting offer after signing up.
Ladbrokes have a vast sportsbook to use free bets (iStock/The Independent)
Once your qualifying bet has settled, Ladbrokes pay out £30 in free bets in 6 x £5 installments within 24 hours.
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Users will also find flexibility regarding these free bets with 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport, with a further 2 x £5 free bets are reserved for football bet builders.
We rate it as the best £5 deposit betting site on the market, with a return 600% return on your deposit and bet. For first-time bettors there are few betting sign up offers online that can match this value.
Betano – Best football free bets
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).
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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.
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
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The Tote 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.
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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.
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 back 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for today’s major sporting events.
Bet365: Moneyback Special Champions League
Bet365 are offering a moneyback special where customers can claim £10 in free bets for losing Champions League bet builders on Tuesday.
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Customers need only place a bet builder on any Champions League game on Tuesday starting at 8pm GMT with odds of evens or greater and using the ‘Money Back as Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify for the free bet offer.
If your bet loses, you’ll receive your stake back up to £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook. Free bets are active for seven days and are credited with 24 hours.
NetBet: Champions League Free Bet Builder
NetBet are running a free bet offer for customers that place a qualifying Champions League bet builder this week.
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To qualify, customers must create their own Champions League bet builder worth £10 on any game this week with odds of 3/1 or greater and three or more selections before kick-off.
Once your qualifying wager has been confirmed, you’ll receive a £5 free bet to use on the sportsbook. Free bets are active for seven days before expiry.
Unibet: NBA Bet Builder Refund
Unibet are offering customers that place bet builders on the NBA £10 in free bets if their selection loses.
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Bettors that place a minimum £1 bet builder on NBA games with three selections or more and odds of evens or greater before selecting the Bet Builder Refund box on the bet slip.
If your selection loses, you’ll receive your stake back up to £10 in free bets within 24 hours of your qualifying wager settling. Free bets can be used across the sportsbook and are active for up to seven days.
Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:
Stake not returned on free bets
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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
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.
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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.
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
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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
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.
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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.
Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.
How The Independent rates and reviews free bets
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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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.
5. Experience
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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
Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.
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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.
Responsible gambling is always at the forefront of his research, ensuring customers have a fair and secure experience claiming and using betting offers online.
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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.
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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:
Can you withdraw free bets?
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.
Can you cash out free bets?
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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.
Do Bet365 give free bets?
Yes, Bet365 are one of the best betting sites for free bets. They have a bet £10 get £30 welcome offer, and several ongoing free bet promotions under their ‘offers’ tab.
What does money back in free bets mean?
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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.
What betting sites give free bets without 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.
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.
A leading tipster has backed Patrick Mullins to complete back-to-back Grand National victories, though this time on a different mount.
Mullins, son of legendary trainer Willie, rode 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett to victory in 2025. The top amateur jockey had been expected to ride Nick Rockett again this year before switching to Grangeclare West earlier this week.
Nick Rockett has since been pulled out of the Aintree showpiece. Paddock expert Ken Pitterson, a regular contributor to ITV’s racing coverage, predicted Nick Rockett’s shock win 12 months ago.
Now he is tipping another Willie Mullins-trained horse, Grangeclare West, who is among the favourites for the race at 10-1. Pitterson said: “This year, I like the chances of Grangeclare West. He ran third in the race last year and again the way he’s been trained by Willie Mullins. It looks like he’s been gradually building him up.
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“I like the way he won the Bobbyjo Chase, which Nick Rockett won last year on the way to Aintree. The way he’s trained him, he’s getting him to peak at the right time.
“He’s got the same sort of profile as Nick Rockett and if you look back at his previous form, he’s a classy performer.
“He won a Grade 1 as a seven-year-old, so you know he’s got a bit of back class as well. He fits the criteria of a horse I’m looking for going into the National.”
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Regarding his second and third picks, Pitterson, who works for William Hill Racing Radio, is anticipating another of the favourites, Panic Attack, along with outsider Gerri Colombe, to put in strong performances.
He said: “I think Panic Attack is an interesting runner. She’s a mare in form and mares at this time of year can be dangerous.
“I love the way she performed when she won the two big races in November – the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup. She’s done something which no other horse has done.
“She’s had a great campaign and the fact she’s a mare on form could be dangerous. You know what [trainer] Dan Skelton can do. The other one I’m interested in is a horse called Gerri Colombe. I saw him as a youngster and he’s just got that build.
“The way he jumps and travels he could be a Grand National horse. He’s not the quickest but he did win a Grade 1 as a younger horse.
“He’s had a few problems last year, he’s come back and again he’s won his last race at Down Royal and he comes in relatively fresh. He has the look of a horse to me who could figure in a Grand National.”
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West Ham United have climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since December following a commanding 4-0 victory over Wolves at the London Stadium.
The result simultaneously plunged north London rivals Tottenham into the bottom three.
Konstantinos Mavropanos opened the scoring with a first-half header before adding another late on, while Taty Castellanos struck twice within two minutes midway through the second half to seal the emphatic win.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, initially nervous, shrugged off their early jitters to dismantle the league’s bottom club.
This triumph marks a significant turnaround for the Hammers, who were seven points adrift of safety and winless in 10 after a January defeat to Nottingham Forest.
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Five victories in their subsequent 11 matches, alongside Tottenham’s apparent free fall, have completely reshaped the battle at the foot of the table, inching West Ham closer to survival.
Mavropanos’s opener, headed in from Jarrod Bowen’s cross just before the break, proved pivotal in setting the stage for Castellanos to double his tally for the club.
It meant Wolves’ brief revival after three games unbeaten was ended. Relegation for them could now be confirmed as early as next week away to Leeds.
Crysencio Summerville had wasted a golden chance to give West Ham the lead after 14 minutes, staying onside to receive Mateus Fernandes’s pass before leaning back and scooping his finish high over the crossbar.
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Nuno Espirito Santo’s side shrugged off their early jitters to dismantle the league’s bottom club (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Good work from Pablo to dance his way into the box set up Bowen with a chance he ought to have buried. Instead the shot was tame, bounced into the ground via a mistimed swing of the leg and into the arms of Jose Sa.
West Ham’s wastefulness in front goal and carelessness on the ball were doing little to calm a restless atmosphere.
El Hadji Malick Diouf drew howls of exasperation from home fans when he needlessly gave the ball away in his own half, letting in Adam Armstrong for a chance that whistled just over.
Armstrong then had Wolves’ best chance of the half with a flicked header that was well-held by Mads Hermansen.
Ladislav Krejci blocked from Bowen following Mavropanos’s knock-down. Wolves had now been warned amply of West Ham’s growing threat but they were breached before the interval.
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Their defence failed to clear properly from a corner, the ball was sent back out wide to Bowen who crossed for Mavropanos to rise and plant his header into the corner.
Only a fine low save from Sa kept Pablo from sending a buoyant West Ham in two up at the break.
A wild two-minute spell at the start of the second half saw both sides hit a post, Wolves from Angel Gomes’s free-kick, then Bowen drove inside from the right and smacked the upright.
Castellanos settled home fans’ nerves with a finish into the corner that owed to a wonderfully inventive back-heel by Pablo to set up the chance.
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Wolves gave the ball away almost immediately from the kick-off to Bowen, and he fed Castellanos to take a touch and roll in his second and West Ham’s third via a post.
Mavropanos volleyed in a late fourth for West Ham, whose momentum showed no sign of abating.
Tristan Sailor scored 14 points as St Helens dominated Catalans Dragons in a one-sided Challenge Cup quarter-final.
The Australian full-back, who also racked up 14 points in the stunning Good Friday comeback win over derby rivals Wigan Warriors last week, went over for a first-half try and kicked five goals as the ragged French side failed to test Paul Rowley’s resurgent Saints.
But St Helens suffered more injury woe as Jake Wingfield and Lewis Murphy, who scored the first try after Sailor had notched an early penalty, were forced off in the opening 32 minutes, but that could not interrupt the flow.
Sailor went over and 19-year-old Jake Davies scored his first senior try before second-half scores from Owen Dagnall and George Whitby emphasised the gulf between the sides.
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Rowley has had to cope with a horrendous injury list this season and his bad luck showed no sign of abating. Saints welcomed back Alex Walmsley, George Delaney and Whitby but lost Wingfield and Murphy in the first half at the BrewDog Stadium.
It made no difference to the one-sided flow of this game, as Sailor’s fifth-minute penalty and Murphy’s sharp finish in the corner had Saints in control before the French side, fresh from a derby win of their own against Toulouse, knew what had hit them.
Sailor raced onto Daryl Clark’s shinned kick to score another as the Dragons failed to cope with the pace and intensity of the home side, who have now won seven of their past eight games in all competitions.
Clark’s speed at the ruck was creating havoc for a disorganised Catalans side, while Walmsley celebrated his return, and his 36th birthday, by repeatedly punching holes in the opposition defence.
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Sailor added another penalty and after Walmsley had powered straight through the Dragons line Davies was on hand to score his milestone try and make it 20-0 at half time.
Catalans needed a strong start after the break but instead they continued to infringe and saw Julian Bousquet sin-binned for tackling Harry Robertson without the ball.
Successive penalties deep in Dragons territory ended with Sailor’s deft pass out of the tackle for Dagnall to step his way over the line, and then Whitby latched onto Jackson Hastings’ kick for another.
A rare Sailor mistake, a knock-on in front of his own posts, led to Faataape’s consolation try, but Whitby made it a memorable night for himself by sliding in to get his fingers on top of the ball after Hastings’ high kick had bounced awkwardly and evaded the grasp of Nick Cotric.
Pulse raced into a 12-1 lead with barely 10 minutes on the clock, forcing Mavericks coach Tamsin Greenway to call an early tactical timeout.
Emma Thacker scored three two-point super shots as Mavericks cut the deficit to four points by the end of the third quarter.
However, Pulse finished the match strongly to claim a victory that moved them level on 18 points with league leaders Loughborough Lightning, who face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 11 April (19:00 BST).
“We knew we had a very strong first quarter, but then had to push on. We know we let them back into the game,” added Fadoju.
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Pulse head coach Sam Bird said: “I’m pleased with how we finished the game. We showed we have a lot in the tank to finish strong.”
On Saturday LexisNexis Dragons host Birmingham Panthers in Cardiff live on BBC Sport (16:00 BST), before Manchester Thunder take on Leeds Rhinos (17:00 BST).
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals produced a stunning batting display as young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powered them to a record-breaking start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Chasing 202, RR raced to 97/1 in the Powerplay, their highest-ever total in the first six overs and one of the best in IPL history. Sooryavanshi, who was dismissed for 78 runs off 26, led the charge inside the powerplay with a blistering 57 off just 18 balls, while Dhruv Jurel supported him with a quick 27 off 10 balls.
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The sixth over alone produced 24 runs, underlining RR’s dominance.This effort placed RR among the top Powerplay scores in IPL history, just behind some explosive totals by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. Highest Powerplay totals in IPL
125/0 – SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024
107/0 – SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad, 2024
105/0 – KKR vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2017
100/2 – CSK vs PBKS, Wankhede, 2014
97/1 – RR vs RCB, Guwahati, 2026*
94/1 – SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2025
The aggressive approach ensured RR took early control of the chase, putting immense pressure on RCB’s bowling attack.Earlier, RCB had posted 201/8, largely thanks to a fighting knock from captain Rajat Patidar, who scored 63 off 40 balls. Walking in during a collapse, Patidar steadied the innings and kept the scoreboard ticking despite wickets falling at the other end. Virat Kohli had provided a quick start with 32 off 16 balls but fell trying to accelerate.RR’s bowlers, led by Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi, triggered a middle-order collapse, reducing RCB to 94/6 at one stage. Bishnoi’s variations proved crucial, while Brijesh Sharma impressed with key breakthroughs.However, a late surge from Impact Sub Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed 29 off 15 balls including 21 runs in the final over, pushed RCB past the 200-run mark. Despite the late flourish, the total appeared slightly below par on a surface offering bounce but also value for shots.In response, RR’s fearless approach in the Powerplay, spearheaded by Sooryavanshi, turned the game decisively in their favour, scripting a memorable night and showcasing the arrival of a new batting star in the IPL.
World football governing body FIFA has ruled out Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating at the 2026 World Cup.
The decision comes months after his controversial performance in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which drew heavy criticism from fans, players, and football officials.
Ndala was at the centre of several disputed calls during the final, with many observers questioning his judgement in key moments of the match. The backlash that followed placed his officiating under intense scrutiny.
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After a detailed review process, FIFA opted to leave the experienced referee out of its list for the global tournament. The body is said to have based its decision on consistency, performance levels, and the need to maintain high refereeing standards on the world stage.
The move signals FIFA’s firm stance on accountability, especially after major competitions where officiating decisions can shape outcomes. It also reflects the growing demand for accuracy and fairness in modern football.
Ndala, once regarded as one of Africa’s top referees, now faces an uncertain future at the highest level, as the fallout from the AFCON final continues to affect his career.
Fury was in the same upbeat mood he has shown all week – making time for fans outside beforehand, laughing and joking with the media, and strolling out to Eminem’s ‘Without Me’ with the line “guess who’s back?” blasting over the speakers.
But the focus soon turned to the scales, with weight a talking point throughout the Morecambe fighter’s career.
He was a career-heaviest 20st 1lb (127.5kg) – although fully clothed – for his rematch with Usyk in December 2024, while during his hiatus from boxing between 2016 and 2018 he ballooned to around 28st (177.8kg) amid personal struggles.
Fury – who has spent his training camp in Pattaya, Thailand – weighed the same as he did for his last fight in the United Kingdom in December 2022 when he beat fellow Briton Derek Chisora.
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“It’s a decent, comfortable, happy weight for Fury. A lot of people thought he’d come in heavier, but that’s a good weight,” said BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit Steve Bunce.
“He looks like a man that has been training in the heat for an awful long time.
“He might have been 23 or 24 stone when he started training for this fight. He’s moved a little bit of weight and built it up slowly after his exile. He’s been walking up hills and carrying trees. I love how he looks.”
Makhmudov, though, is one of the few heavyweights capable of matching Fury for sheer physical presence.
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Standing 6ft 6in, the Russian-born, Canada-based fighter – known as ‘The Lion’ – has secured 21 wins in 23 fights, including 19 by knockout, and arrives in London with a reputation as a heavy puncher.
Makhmudov’s most recent victory came against British heavyweight Dave Allen in October 2025.
“I’m ready to go. I can’t wait for tomorrow night to make my dream happen. I’ve waited a long time to get here. It’s my dream and my time,” he said.
After a rough first round at Augusta National Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau did not appear too pleased when he was asked about his 3D-printed 5-iron.
The two-time U.S. Open champion had an eventful first round at the Masters, hitting a patron with a tee shot on the sixth hole before taking three separate bunker shots on the 11th.
After the round, he had to face the media, and he was asked about the process of making his special club other than the driver.
Bryson DeChambeau reacts to his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Grace Smith/Imagn Images)
DeChambeau said it’s roughly a “day-and-a-half” process to make a club, so when he was asked if he “would want to” go through the process of making another one, it was a hard no.
“Pfft, no. It has to be USGA-conforming. There’s a whole process you have to go through,” he said.
It’s a club he built himself.
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“There’s this nature that I have about myself where innovation is a habit of mine, and I really find and take pride in that ability to learn — even through failure, even through making a bad decision or a good decision — what I can get from that,” he told ESPN.
Bryson DeChambeau hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Eric Gay/AP Photo)
“We’ll see where it goes. We’ll see where it takes me. All I could say now is, if I don’t put them in the bag, it’s my fault now.”
DeChambeau said after the round that he only used the club once on Thursday.
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Last year, DeChambeau was in the final group of the Masters alongside eventual winner Rory McIlroy. The two were paired together to end the prior year’s U.S. Open as well, which DeChambeau won in part due to bad putting by McIlroy and a forever-remembered up-and-down by DeChambeau from the bunker on 18 at Pinehurst No. 2.
But DeChambeau could not find similar success Thursday after shooting a 4-over 76, putting himself in danger of missing the cut.
Bryson DeChambeau acknowledges patrons on the 17th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Michael Madrid/Imagn Images)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) grabs a rebound over Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
Three-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star guard Jewell Loyd is close to signing a three-year contract with the Las Vegas Aces, ESPN reported on Friday.
Financial terms were not disclosed in the report.
Loyd, 32, played in a career-best 44 games in 2025 during her first season with Las Vegas, averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
She is averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 371 career games (335 starts) with the Seattle Storm and Aces.
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