Best Grand National Betting Sites: Top 10 UK Bookmakers for Aintree (2026)

The best Grand National betting sites in 2026 are Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes, BOYLE Sports, Tote, SBK, BetTom, Swifty Sports, QuickBet, and AK Bets.

We’ve covered the top 10 Grand National betting sites for 2026, including welcome offers, horse racing features, bet types, payment methods, and what each one does particularly well. We’ve also added a section on how to bet, explained Grand National jargon, and touched upon key facts about the Aintree Festival.

Which bookmaker is paying the most places for the Grand National 2026?

Each-way terms are super important when choosing where to place your Grand National bet. The standard industry terms for a handicap with 16 or more runners are four places at 1/4 the win odds, but for the Grand National, most online bookmakers extend those terms.

The majority of major bookmakers are paying six places at 1/5 the odds for the 2026 Grand National. FreeBets In a 34-runner field where attrition is high and finishing sixth is a genuinely good result, that extra coverage matters.

The table below shows where each major bookmaker stands ahead of Saturday’s race:

Grand National betting sites reviewed

1. Bet365: Best all-round Grand National betting site

Bet365 is the natural starting point for most Grand National punters. It handles the traffic that Aintree generates better than nearly any other platform, and its horse racing coverage is as deep as you’ll find. New customers who place a qualifying £10 bet at minimum odds of 1/5 get £30 in bet credits once the bet settles.

• Bet365 Grand National offer: Bet £10, Get £30 in free bets. Min deposit £10. Min odds 1/5. Returns exclude bet credit stakes. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+.
• Horse racing features: Bet365 offers Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing, meaning if the Starting Price is bigger than the price you took, you’re automatically paid at the higher odds. They also run Super Boosts on selected Grand National runners, like price-enhanced specials available to both new and existing customers. Bet Builders allow you to combine win, place and other selections within the same race.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, reverse forecast, tricast, accumulators, Lucky 15/31/63, bet builders.
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Paysafecard, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfer. Note: some methods are excluded from the welcome offer.
• Streaming: Full live streaming of Aintree races available with a funded account or settled bet in the previous 24 hours.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Yes, available on the Grand National.

GET THE BET365 GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

2. Betfred: Best Grand National welcome offer

Betfred’s headline offer for Aintree 2026 is 6 places each-way at 1/5 the win odds on the Grand National. This applies to all single and multiple bets placed between 12:00 on 8th April and 16:00 on 11th April in the Win or Each-Way market. Note that Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply under these terms.

• BetFred Grand National offer: 6 Places Each Way at 1/5 Odds. Online only. Single & multiple bets placed 12:00 08/04/26 – 16:00 11/04/26. Win or Each-Way market only.
• Horse racing features: Betfred’s standout offer for the Grand National is a generous seven places paid each-way. In a field of 34 where the favourite has a poor historical record, those extra places can be the difference between a return and a blank. Non-Runner No Bet is also available for ante-post bets. Betfred has its own race-specific Super Extra Places promotions during festival week.
• Bet types: Win, each-way (7 places on the Grand National), forecast, tricast, Lucky 15/31/63, accumulators, Acca Insurance.
• Payment methods: Debit card only for the welcome offer. Full range includes Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
• Streaming: Live streaming available on Aintree races via the Betfred app and site.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Yes.

GET THE BETFRED GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

3. Ladbrokes: Best each-way terms from a high-street bookmaker

Ladbrokes is one of the most-used bookmakers during Grand National week for good reason: competitive odds, Best Odds Guaranteed across all three Aintree days, and a standout each-way offer that pays 5 places at 1/5 odds on the Grand National itself, available to both new and existing customers.

• Ladbrokes Grand National offer: 5 Places Each Way: Ladbrokes are paying 5 places at 1/5 odds on the Grand National (enhanced from the standard 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4), effective from 00:01 Monday 6th April. Available to new and existing customers on each-way bets. If 16–21 runners, terms revert to 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4; if 15 or fewer runners, 1/4 odds 1-2-3.
• Why choose Ladbrokes for the Grand National: Best Odds Guaranteed runs across all three days of the Aintree Festival. The Horse Racing Bet Builder lets you combine win, place, and winning distance markets within the same race. Daily Boosts, enhanced odds tokens on selected runners, appear throughout the week. Existing customers get access to the Daily Rewarder, which hands out free bet tokens and enhanced odds specials on qualifying races. The 14-day window to place your qualifying bet is longer than most operators’.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, reverse forecast, tricast, Lucky 15/31/63, Bet Builder, accumulators. Note: free bets are valid on Singles, Doubles, Trebles, 4-Fold+ Accumulators, Forecast and Combination bets only. Not valid on the Ladbrokes Exchange, Tote, Other Combination or complex Multiple Bets (e.g. Lucky 15s).
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and bank transfer. Note: Prepaid Cards, Moneybookers, InstantBank, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller and Skrill are excluded from the welcome offer.
• Streaming: Yes, via the Ladbrokes app and desktop site.
• Best Odds Guaranteed: Yes.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Available on selected markets.

GET THE LADBROKES GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

4. BOYLE Sports: Best option for each-way punters

BOYLE Sports is a strong option for the Grand National, particularly for those who like to go each-way. New customers get £40 in free bets after placing a qualifying £10 bet at Evens or greater. Non-Runner No Bet is offered as standard, which is useful given the field isn’t confirmed until final declarations on Wednesday, 8th April.

• BOYLE Sports Grand National offer: Bet £10, Get £40 in free bets. New UK customers only (excluding Northern Ireland). Min deposit £10. Min stake £10 at Evens or greater. Free bets expire in 7 days.
• Horse racing features: The headline each-way offer for 2026 is 6 places at 1/5 the win odds on the Grand National itself. On Opening Day (Thursday 9th April), BOYLE Sports are also offering money back as a free bet up to £/€10 if your selection loses the 13:45 race at Aintree.  Best Odds Guaranteed is available across UK and Irish racing. The Cheltenham and Aintree meetings are among the biggest weeks on BOYLE Sports’ calendar, and they tend to release additional existing-customer promotions as the meetings progress.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, tricast, Lucky 15/31/63, accumulators, bet builders.
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Paysafecard, and bank transfer.
• Streaming: Live streaming available on qualifying races for logged-in customers.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Yes.

GET THE BOYLE SPORTS GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

5. Tote: Best for pool betting on the Grand National

Rather than offering fixed odds, Tote’s core product is pool betting. Your winnings are determined by how much is in the pool and how many winning tickets there are, rather than a price set by a bookmaker. The Grand National is one of the biggest pool betting events of the year, and the Tote’s dividend on the win pool can exceed fixed-odds prices when a longer-priced horse wins.

• Welcome offer: Bet £5, Get £20 in free bets. New customers online only. Register between 9/4/26 and 12/4/26 and place a min £5 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing within 7 days of registration. Receive £10 Tote Credit and £10 Free Sports Bet within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to bet slip. Voided/non-runner bets will not qualify; subsequent bet will be the qualifying bet. 7-day expiry.
• Horse racing features: Beyond the headline win pool, Tote offer a range of pool bets that are particularly popular on big days at Aintree. The Placepot requires you to pick a horse to place in each of the first six races. The Jackpot asks you to pick the winner of six nominated races; it rolls over when there’s no winner, so the pot can get huge. Best Odds Guaranteed is available for the entire festival meeting.
• Opening Day price boost: Tote are offering a boosted double on Thursday 9th April, with Lulamba (14:20) and Jango Baie (14:55) Both To Win at boosted odds of 3.50 (was 2/1).
• Bet types: Win pool, place pool, each-way pool, forecast, reverse forecast, Placepot, Jackpot, Scoop6 (on applicable Saturdays), Quadpot, trixie and combination bets.
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Paysafecard, bank transfer.
• Streaming: Live streaming available on Aintree races.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Available on the Grand National.

GET THE TOTE GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

6. SBK: Best for bet builder fans

SBK is a relatively young bookmaker built around a mobile-first philosophy, with a strong emphasis on bet builder markets. The welcome deal gives new customers £30 in free bets after a qualifying £5 bet at minimum odds of 2.0 (1/1). The free bets are released in stages and include bet builder and accumulator tokens, so this suits punters who like to combine selections rather than take straight win bets.

• SBK Grand National offer: Bet £5, Get £30 in free bets. Min deposit £10. Min bet £5 at odds 2.0 (1/1) or greater. Free bets are released in stages over 48 hours; some require a minimum of 5 legs.
• Horse racing features: SBK’s horse racing offering is competitive for a newer operator, with markets on all UK and Irish racing plus major international fixtures. Bet builders can be constructed using win, place, each-way, and top-jockey selections within the same race, which opens up interesting angles for punters with a view on who will run well in the Grand National even if they’re not confident in the outright winner. Price boosts are available on selected runners during big meetings.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, bet builder (multi-selection within same race), accumulators.
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, PayPal.
• Streaming: Available to account holders in qualifying racing markets.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Check the SBK promotions page during race week for current terms.

GET THE SBK GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

7. BetTom: Best for risk-averse newcomers

BetTom takes a different approach to its welcome offer. Rather than a standard bet-and-get deal, new customers receive 50% of their first day’s losses back as a free bet, up to £25. To qualify, you need to place at least 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater within your first day of activity. It’s a softer landing for those who don’t want to commit to a single qualifying bet.

• Welcome offer: 50% of first day losses refunded as a free bet, up to £25. New BetTom customers only, sports bets only. Min 3 bets of £10+ on separate events at Evens (2.0)+. Credited within 24 hours. 7-day expiry.
• Horse racing features: BetTom covers all UK and Irish racing and offers a range of standard horse racing markets. The platform is straightforward and well-suited to punters who want a no-frills betting experience without being overwhelmed by features. Good value on ante-post markets during big festival weeks.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, tricast, accumulators, Lucky 15/31/63.
• Payment methods: Debit cards, Paysafecard. Note: casino bets do not count towards the welcome offer.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Check BetTom’s promotions page ahead of Saturday.

GET THE BETOM GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

8. Swifty Sports: Best mobile experience

Swifty Sports is a UKGC-licensed independent bookmaker that launched in 2022 with a mobile-first focus. It’s built a reputation for clean, fast-loading apps on both iOS and Android, competitive odds on horse racing and football, and an absence of the clutter you find on some legacy platforms. New customers can claim a £20 free bet after placing a qualifying £10 single bet at odds of 1/1 (Evens) or greater.

• Welcome offer: Bet £10, Get £20 in free bets. Min deposit £10. Qualifying bet must be a single selection. Free bet credited within 24 hours of qualifying bet settling, valid 7 days.
• Horse racing features: Horse racing is one of Swifty’s clear priorities, with all UK and Irish racing covered alongside international meets. Best Odds Guaranteed is available on all UK and Irish racing, and daily price boosts are offered on big racing events, including the Grand National. Money Back Specials, where your stake is returned as a free bet if your selection finishes second in selected races, appear regularly on big race days.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, tricast, accumulators, bet builder.
• Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Instant Bank Transfer. Note: e-wallets are not accepted.
• Streaming: No live streaming.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Currently unknown.

GET THE SWIFTY SPORTS GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

9. QuickBet: Best for newcomers wanting to try something different

QuickBet is a newer entrant to the UK market with a simple, accessible welcome offer of Bet £10, Get £10 in free bets. It’s not the biggest deal on this page, but the platform is easy to use and a solid starting point for those looking for a no-fuss way to get involved in Grand National betting.

• Welcome offer: Bet £10, Get £10 in free bets. New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
• Horse racing features: QuickBet covers UK and Irish racing with standard win and each-way markets. The platform is geared towards straightforward, mobile-friendly betting with a clean interface.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, accumulators.
• Payment methods: Debit cards, bank transfer.

GET THE QUICKBET GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

10. AK Bets: Best odds for serious racing punters

AK Bets is one of the most interesting independents in UK racing. Founded by Anthony Kaminskas, a well-known on-course bookmaker who started life at Killarney racecourse, the brand brings genuine old-school bookmaking credentials to its online product.

The welcome offer is unique. Use the promo code, place your first racing bet as a Lucky 15, and AK Bets will boost the return by 25% in the form of a free bet, up to £100. This is one of the more punter-friendly welcome structures around.

• Welcome offer: Place your first racing bet as a Lucky 15 with the promo code. AK Bets will boost the return by 25% as a free bet, up to £100. Free bet credited within 24 hours, valid 7 days. Stake not returned. No cashed-out or void bets.
• Horse racing features: AK Bets is unambiguously one of the best horse racing betting sites. Their standout feature is “AK’s Big Prices”, which shows market-leading odds on the biggest events, independently verified as among the best available in the UK market. Rather than BOG (which AK Bets does not offer), the philosophy here is to simply price the race better from the off. The “Trader Chat” function is a standout customer service feature, a live chat directly with AK Bets’ trading team for queries about odds, markets, and bets. AK Bets also runs loyalty “Clubs”, with daily reward schemes that pay out free bets for consistent play.
• Bet types: Win, each-way, forecast, reverse forecast, tricast, Lucky 15/31/63, accumulators, Bet Builder (100+ markets combinable within same event), ante-post.
• Payment methods: Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and bank transfer. Withdrawals are among the fastest in the industry.
• Streaming: Yes, all UK and Irish horse racing and greyhound racing on both the iOS and Android apps.
• Best Odds Guaranteed: Not offered.
• Non-Runner No Bet: Check the AK Bets promotions page ahead of Saturday for Grand National-specific terms.

GET THE AK BETS GRAND NATIONAL OFFER

How to bet on the Grand National

Step 1: Pick your bookmaker and claim your offer

Use any of the links on this page to register with a new bookmaker. Have your debit card and proof of ID to hand. Most sites require you to verify your account before you can withdraw, so submitting documents early helps avoid delays on Saturday.

Step 2: Choose your bet type

The Grand National is unusual among horse races because the format lends itself to several different approaches. Here’s a breakdown of the main bet types:

• Win: The simplest bet. Pick the horse, it wins, you get paid. Given the size of the field (34 runners) and the unpredictable nature of the fences, outright win bets carry significant risk but offer the biggest returns.
• Each-Way: The most popular bet type for the Grand National. An each-way bet is two bets in one, half your stake goes on the horse to win, the other half on it to place (finish in the top four, five, six, or seven positions, depending on the bookmaker’s terms). With 34 runners, most major bookmakers pay at least five places; Betfred are paying seven. If your horse finishes inside those places but doesn’t win, you still collect on the place part of the bet at a fraction (usually 1/4 or 1/5) of the win odds.
• Forecast: Predict which two horses will finish first and second, in any order (reverse forecast) or in exact order (straight forecast). Given the unpredictability of the Grand National, this is a longer-odds play.
• Tricast: Predict the first three home in exact order. Even more difficult in a 34-runner race, but the odds reflect that.
• Placepot: Available at Tote only. Predict a horse to place in each of the first six races of the day at Aintree. The pool is shared among winning tickets. This is a popular challenge on Grand National day given the large fields across all races.
• Accumulator: Combine multiple selections from different races across the three days of the Aintree Festival. A winning acca multiplies your returns but requires all legs to come in.
• Lucky 15: 15 bets covering four selections including singles, doubles, trebles and a four-fold accumulator. Any one winner returns something.

Step 3: Study the form

The Grand National has a distinct profile of winners. Knowing what to look for is half the battle:

• Age: Horses between 8 and 11 years old have by far the best record in the race. Only two winners outside that range have been trained in the past two decades.
• Weight: Lighter-weighted horses have historically performed better, but the handicapper assigns weights precisely to make the race competitive. Horses near the bottom of the handicap often attract interest, though they have to qualify within the top 34 for a run.
• Fitness: Horses that have raced recently (usually within the past 4–6 weeks) tend to be better prepared than those having their first run in months.
• Going: Aintree suits horses that handle soft to good ground. Monitor the forecast for the Merseyside weather in the days leading up to Saturday.
• Cheltenham form: A strong run at the Cheltenham Festival in March is often a marker for Grand National contenders. Several past winners have entered the race off eye-catching festival performances.

For a detailed breakdown of the main contenders, odds, and a recommended selection, see our Grand National 2026 preview and tips from Rizzel Tips.

Grand National jargon explained

• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG): If you take an early price on a horse and the Starting Price is bigger when the race goes off, you get paid at the higher odds automatically. Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes, BOYLE Sports, Tote, and Swifty Sports all offer BOG for the Grand National.
• Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB): If your selection doesn’t make the final declared field, your stake is returned rather than lost. Particularly relevant for the Grand National, where the field is trimmed from around 55 entries down to 34 runners, with final declarations confirmed 72 hours before the race.
• Starting Price (SP): The official odds of a horse at the moment the race starts, determined by a panel of on-course reporters. BOG protects you if you’ve taken an ante-post or early price that turns out to be shorter than the SP.
• Ante-Post: Betting before declarations are made. Prices tend to be longer ante-post, but your stake is usually lost if the horse is a non-runner, unless the bookmaker is offering NRNB.
• Handicap: The Grand National is a handicap race, meaning the weights each horse carries are assigned by the official handicapper with the aim of giving every runner an equal chance on paper. Higher-rated horses carry more weight, lower-rated ones carry less.
• Each-Way Terms: The number of places paid and the fraction of the win odds you receive if your horse places but doesn’t win. For the Grand National, most bookmakers pay 1/4 or 1/5 the odds for places 1–5, 1–6, or 1–7. Always check the terms before placing your each-way bet.
• Placepot: A Tote pool bet requiring you to select a horse to place in each of the first six races on the card. On Grand National day, the pool tends to be enormous given the level of public interest.
• Deadheat: If two horses finish level, the winnings are split equally between them. This applies to both win and place portions of bets.

2026 Aintree Festival Race Schedule & Results

The Grand National Festival runs across three days. Here is the full race schedule:

Opening Day: Thursday 9th April – Results

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy were the stars of the opening day, completing a Grade 1 double with Mange Tout and Brighterdaysahead. Barton Snow was imperious in the Foxhunters’, completing the Cheltenham-Aintree double under Henry Crow, while Jango Baie bounced back from Cheltenham Gold Cup second to win the Bowl after the fall of Impaire Et Passe. The biggest upset came in the Red Rum, where 14/1 shot Ryan’s Rocket denied Sans Bruit a historic hat-trick.

Ladies Day: Friday 10th April

• 13:45 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 14:20 – William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
• 14:55 – Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 15:30 – JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1)
• 16:05 – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
• 16:40 – Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 17:15 – Debenhams Handicap Hurdle

Grand National Day: Saturday 11th April

• 13:00 – Manifesto Novices’ Chase (supporting card)
• 13:45 – Supporting race
• 14:20 – Supporting race
• 15:00 – Supporting race
• 15:35 – Supporting race
• 16:00 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) ⭐
• 17:15 – Supporting race

(Note: the Saturday supporting card races are to be confirmed; check the official Aintree racecard closer to the day.)

Where to watch the 2026 Grand National

The entire Aintree Festival is broadcast live on ITV and ITVX, with Racing TV covering any races not shown on ITV. The Grand National itself goes to post at 4 pm on Saturday, 11th April and will air on ITV1, so you won’t need a bookmaker account to watch the main event.

If you’re not a Racing TV subscriber, several bookmakers on this page offer free streaming of the Aintree Festival. Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes, BOYLE Sports, Tote, and AK Bets all provide live streaming of UK and Irish racing, including the Grand National meeting, to account holders with a funded balance or a settled bet in the previous 24 hours. SBK also offers streaming to qualifying account holders.

Grand National 2026 Key facts and history

The Randox Grand National has been run at Aintree since 1839, making it one of the oldest major sporting events in the world. Here are some key facts worth knowing before you place your bet:

• The course covers 4 miles, 2 furlongs and 74 yards, with horses jumping 30 fences (16 on the first circuit, 14 on the second).
• The field is capped at 34 runners, reduced from 40 in recent years as part of welfare improvements.
• The record time is held by Mr Frisk, who completed the course in 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds in 1990.
• Willie Mullins is the dominant trainer in the current era, having won the race with I Am Maximus in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025. No trainer has won three consecutive Grand Nationals.
• I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, is among the leading fancies for 2026 despite being 10 years old, a historically difficult age to win at. No horse has won the race carrying top weight since Red Rum in 1974.
• The fences include Becher’s Brook (the most famous, with its sharp drop on the landing side) and The Chair (the tallest fence on the course, at 5ft 2in), though modern modifications have made them safer than in earlier decades.

Responsible Gambling

Gmble responsibly and only bet with money they can afford to lose. MrFixItsTips only promotes fully licensed and regulated UK betting sites.

Every bookmaker featured in this article has a safer gambling section accessible from their homepage, where you can find tools such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion options.