March Madness is back, and the 2026 NCAA Tournament is once again set to dominate the US betting calendar. For bettors, this isn’t just about brackets and buzzer-beaters. It’s one of the most lucrative times of year to take advantage of sportsbook promotions.
Every major operator rolls out aggressive offers during the tournament. From bet-and-get deals to profit boosts and insurance on parlays, March Madness is packed with opportunities to extract value.
This guide breaks down the best March Madness betting promos for 2026, how they work, and how to actually turn them into profit.
1. What Are March Madness Betting Promos?
2. Common Types of March Madness Betting Promos
3. Best March Madness Promos
4. Why March Madness Betting Promotions Matter
5. How to Maximize Your Profit
March Madness betting promos are limited-time offers from US sportsbooks designed to attract new users and increase betting activity during the NCAA Tournament.
You’ll typically see:
Bonus bets for placing small wagers.
First bet safety nets.
Odds boosts tied to specific games.
Insurance on parlays and same-game parlays.
Because of the volume of games (67 total), sportsbooks compete aggressively, which means better-than-usual offers for bettors.
Understanding the structure of each promo is what separates casual bettors from profitable ones.
Place a small bet (usually $5–$10) and receive bonus bets regardless of the outcome. These are currently the most common offers in 2026.
If your first bet loses, you get refunded in bonus bets. Still widely used, but less dominant than before.
Increase your odds on specific bets. These are especially common during high-profile games.
Get refunded if one leg of your parlay loses. Very popular during early-round chaos.
Pre-loaded boosts you can apply to your own bets.
Below are the strongest new customer / welcome offers for March Madness 2026. Please note that sportsbooks may change or remove promos at any time and that certain March Madness promotions may differ from state to state.
FanDuel invites new users to place a $5 wager and receive $300 in bonus bets if their bet wins, providing a substantial boost to explore various betting markets during March Madness.
Fanatics Sportsbook is offering new users a Bet $5, Get $200 in FanCash. This welcome bonus can be used on games in the March Madness tournament.
Claim Your Fanatics Promo Here
BetMGM offers new customers a refund on your bet up to $1,500. If your initial wager loses, BetMGM will refund your stake in bonus bets, giving you a second chance during the March Madness tournament.
Borgata Sportsbook is offering new users a straightforward deal: place a $20 wager and receive $100 in bonus bets, perfect for those looking to make small stakes while enjoying the thrill of the NCAA Tournament.
DraftKings is enticing new customers with a straightforward promotion: place a $5 wager and receive $200 in bonus bets, providing ample opportunity to explore various betting markets throughout March Madness.
Claim Your DraftKings Promo Here
BetRivers offers new customers a second chance bonus bet up to $500. If your initial wager loses, BetRivers will refund your stake in bonus bets, giving you a second chance during the tournament.
Claim Your BetRivers Promo Here
bet365 is offering new users this promotion: place a $10 bet and receive $365 in bonus bets regardless of whether or not the bet wins.
Hard Rock Bet is offering new customers the chance to double their winnings on their first 10 bets. Players will only earn a boosted payout if the bet wins and the boost can be used on any available market.
Claim Your Hard Rock Promo Here
Currently available in Ontario. theScore Bet is offering new customers a "bet reset" promotion: get 100% back (up to $1000) if your first wager loses.
Claim Your theScore Bet Promo Here
March Madness creates a perfect storm:
High game volume.
Public betting interest
Aggressive competition between sportsbook.
That combination leads to some of the most generous promotions of the year.
For bettors, this means more chances to:
Extract value from bonus bets.
Reduce risk on larger wagers.
Spread bets across multiple games.
With 67 games, 10 million+ viewers and $2.7 billion+ wagered each year, who doesn’t love March Madness? But while you may be a fan of backing a bracket and cracking a cold one, you may be missing out.
97% of bettors make a loss on March Madness each year, and while you may think that’s just part of the process, it really doesn’t have to be.
Following a few proven techniques, expert tools and top tips, you can join that that top 3% and bank serious profit this March Madness.
In our free guide, you will discover the 5 Best Betting Strategies This March Madness, complete with all the techniques, tools and tips you need to max your profit from them (pssst, #1 is a game changer).