The 2026 CFP is finally here, and with the 12-team format entering just its 2nd season, fans are already seeing the upside, for the most part. More games, more stakes, more chaos — and now, some seriously strong sportsbook bonuses to go along with it even if your team didn’t make the cut.
This year’s Round 1 matchups are loaded with some serious drama. We’ve got bluebloods like Alabama and Oklahoma going at it again, Miami and Texas A&M ready to light up the scoreboard, and a couple of potential upsets brewing with Tulane and James Madison looking to knock off favorites from the SEC and Pac-12 powers. It’s really a must-watch football lineup across the board.
And whether you're betting the spread, teasing the total, or just tossing a few bucks on a moneyline upset to see what happens, there’s no better time to sign up and cash in on some of the best bonus offers we’ve seen all year.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Let’s start with the most straightforward, and frankly, the most generous, offer out there right now.
Bet365 is literally giving away $150 to new customers. That's because you can get $150 in bonus bets when you place a $5 wager — no matter if it wins or loses. This isn’t one of those “if you win, we’ll throw you a bone” type of deals. No, this is much better. You could bet on Tulane to beat Ole Miss — and even if they get run off the field again, you’re still walking away with your $150 in bonus bets to use how you want going forward.
That’s a massive safety net for new bettors or really anyone just trying to dip their toes into the college football chaos. You don’t have to hit a miracle parlay or sweat out an underdog cover in garbage time just hoping to cash the bonus. All you have to do is bet your $5, and you’re loaded up with house money to play with all weekend. It’s that simple.
If you’re a bettor who likes having flexibility, Bet365 makes it easy. The biggest downside is that Bet365 is only available in a handful of states to include Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. However, if you’re in one of those states you can use your bonus bets on totals, props, alternate lines, or even mix in a few NFL bets to spread things out. There's no pressure or gimmicks — just a solid offer at the perfect time.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Now, if you’re feeling confident about one of these games then DraftKings is the bonus you want to go with. They’re offering $200 in bonus bets when your $5 wager wins. That’s a 40x return in bonus funds if you can pick a winner. The catch is that you’ve got to win. But with 4 games on tap and clear favorites in most of them, this one’s very much in play.
Oregon over JMU is probably the best and obvious option here. The Ducks are 21.5-point favorites at home and have been steamrolling teams all season on their home turf. Sure, James Madison has been fun, but this isn’t the Sun Belt anymore and there are some clear winners that will come out of the 1st round of the CFP.
You could also look at Ole Miss, who already demolished Tulane earlier in the season and now gets to do it again, this time with even more on the line. Just don’t expect much value if you’re laying big spreads as your safest path is to lock in a clean moneyline pick and walk away with the $200 bonus. The key is to take an easy bet you know you’re going to win — at least for this first bet.
The upside with DraftKings is you only need to win once, and you’re sitting on a big pile of bonus bets to use however you want. And with the quarterfinals coming up next weekend and plenty of NFL and NHL games to bet on, there’s no better time to stock the war chest.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
FanDuel’s current offer is very similar to DraftKings, but the reward is just a bit sweeter. Place a $5 bet, and if it wins, you’ll snag $250 in bonus bets. That’s the best payout-to-risk ratio available right now — if you win, of course.
So what’s the move here?
You might look at Oregon or Ole Miss again, but if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and want to risk a bit more, maybe this is the spot to take Alabama. They’re slight road favorites against Oklahoma, and while the Sooners did get the better of them a few months ago, just barely, Alabama looked strong to close the season and still has plenty of playoff pedigree.
FanDuel’s betting platform is also one of the cleanest out there. They deliver fast cashouts, tons of betting markets, and one of the best live betting interfaces you’ll find. If you’ve been holding off on trying them out, this $250 bonus is as good a reason as any to jump in now and see what everyone is talking about.
Regardless of whether you’re taking the FanDuel or DraftKings bonus (or both), don’t get greedy with a parlay. Find your favorite straight-up winner, take the W, and go to work with the bonus bets.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Caesars isn’t playing the instant bonus game like the others; Instead, they’re offering more of a long-term edge: bet $1, and you’ll unlock 20 boosts that double your winnings — up to $25 per bet.
This promo is great for bettors who plan on sticking around and grinding value over time. If you’re betting multiple games this weekend — say, the entire first-round slate — you can immediately put a few of those boosts to work and cash.
For example, let’s say you take Miami +3.5 against Texas A&M, a game that really could go either way. If you win a standard bet at -110 odds, you’d make around $22.73 on a $25 bet. With the boost, Caesars doubles that, and you’re pocketing $45.46 instead. That starts to add up quickly if you hit a few of these bonuses in a row.
The real edge here is if you're already someone who bets regularly. These boosts can stretch into NFL Sunday, bowl season, and even the NBA slate if that’s what you want to do. It's not the flashiest bonus of the group, like the instant-hit kind of promo like Bet365, but it’s built for volume bettors who are in it for the long haul.
And look, if you win 3-4 of those 20 boosted bets, you’re getting a significantly better ROI than you would without the promotion. That adds up in your bankroll in a big way over time.
Which sportsbook bonus is the best of the best? That really depends on how you like to bet, but there’s no rule saying you can’t take advantage of all 4. Round 1 of the College Football Playoff is the perfect time to take your pick.
If you want a guaranteed payout, Bet365 gives you $150 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 bet and it’ll cash whether you win or lose. However, if you’re confident in picking a winner then DraftKings and FanDuel both bring serious upside, with $200 and $250 in bonus bets on the line if your $5 bet cashes. For those that want long-term value then Caesars offers 20 boosted bets that double your winnings up to $25 each — great for bettors who plan to stay active through bowl season and beyond.
With 4 win-or-go-home matchup on the table that are loaded with revenge angles, and potential upsets, every CFP game has betting value. Whether you're backing a favorite or riding with an underdog, combining one of these offers with this weekend’s loaded slate is a no-brainer.