March Madness bracket contests are one of the most exciting parts of the NCAA Tournament, and 2026 will be no different! Every year, sportsbooks and gaming platforms roll out massive prize pools and free-to-enter competitions that give fans a shot at winning big.
Last year, there was over $10 million in prizes available for the March Madness bracket!
The 2026 contest details have not been announced yet. Bookmark this page and check back often as we update it with the latest information about free-to-enter contests for March Madness 2026 as soon as sportsbooks release their official promotions.
2026 March Madness bracket contests
Sportsbooks typically unveil their March Madness bracket contests in the weeks leading up to Selection Sunday. While we don’t yet know the full details for 2026, you can expect new prize pools, updated rules, and fresh ways to compete once announcements go live.
Until then, last year’s contests have wrapped up, and prize structures for 2026 are still to be confirmed. We’ll keep this section fully updated as soon as operators publish their latest offers.
As always, expect opportunities to win cash, bonus bets, gift cards, and other prizes with no entry fee at March Madness betting sites. Be sure to come back and lock in your picks once the brackets are set! You can also sign up for new sportsbook accounts, unlock March Madness promos and sign-up bonuses, and then bet on March Madness odds.
| Contest | Prize | Entry Cost | Welcome Bonus | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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TBD | Free | N/A | N/A |
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TBD | Free | Get A $250 Bet Match, Win Or Lose | COVERS250BM |
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TBD | Free | Bet $5, Get $150, Win Or Lose | 'COVERS' or 'CVSBONUS' (CO, NJ & PA only) |
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TBD | Free | Win $5 Bet, Get $100 If It Wins | No code |
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TBD | Free | No code | |
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🍁TBD🍁 | Free | $1,500 First Bet Encore | COVERSBONUS |
(Not available to residents of Ontario)
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FanDuel Tourney Shuffle
Details for this year’s FanDuel bracket contest have not yet been announced. Below is a look at how the promotion worked last year to give you an idea of what could return in a similar form.
The contest was free to enter, required participants to meet age and location requirements, and did not require a wager. Full rules, eligibility, and prize details for this year’s version will be posted once FanDuel releases updated information.
bet365 Bracket Challenge: Perfect Bracket Prize
bet365 has not yet revealed its bracket challenge details for this year’s tournament. Here’s how the contest worked last year.
bet365 offered a massive perfect bracket prize, awarding a multimillion-dollar payout to anyone who picked every game correctly. Additional cash prizes were also awarded to top-performing brackets, even if no perfect entry was submitted.
New users could also claim a bonus after placing a small qualifying bet using the bet356 bonus code COVERS. This year’s bracket challenge structure, prize pool, and promotional offers may differ once officially announced.
DraftKings Zero Right Bracket Challenge
DraftKings has not yet shared details for this year’s March Madness bracket contest. Last year, the sportsbook offered a unique twist on the traditional bracket challenge.
In the previous tournament, DraftKings introduced the Zero Right Bracket Challenge, in which the goal was to select as few correct outcomes as possible. Entry was free, and participants competed to earn the lowest score by selecting the losing team in each matchup.
The winner of the contest receives a $100,000 cash prize, and additional promotional prizes were awarded to qualifying participants. Official rules, prize totals, and the format for this year’s contest will be updated once they are released.
Caesars' Bet The Tournament Fan Cave Frenzy Challenge
Caesars has not yet confirmed its March Madness bracket contest for this year. Below is a recap of how the promotion worked last tournament.
Last year, Caesars Sportsbook ran its Bet The Tournament Fan Cave Frenzy promotion throughout March. Participants could earn tier credits through sportsbook or casino play for a chance to win VIP Fan Cave experiences and other prizes. No purchase was necessary to enter, and mail-in entries were permitted.
Prize values, eligibility requirements, and entry mechanics may change for this year’s tournament once Caesars publishes updated terms. We’ll update this page as soon as new information becomes available.
March Madness bracket contests FAQs
Sportsbooks and sports media companies offer lucrative winnings for contest entries. Most prizes are awarded to the owner of the bracket who made the most correct selections, but some are on the hunt for an elusive perfect bracket.
The best free bracket challenges to enter include those from regulated sportsbooks in your region. They offer huge prizes for winners.
A variety of cash and prizes ranging from $3,500 to $100,000 in value will be awarded to contest winners. Some contests offer millions of dollars for a perfect bracket.
Residents of legal betting age in Canada and the United States can enter these contests. Make sure to read the terms and conditions before completing any entry forms.
