Friday, February 20, 2026, is shaping up to be a thrilling day for sports fans and bettors alike, with a packed slate across the Winter Olympics, NCAA basketball, and the NBA. At the heart of the action is the highly anticipated Winter Olympics men’s hockey semifinal between Team USA and Slovakia, a matchup that has both sports enthusiasts and oddsmakers buzzing. Meanwhile, college basketball and NBA games add to the excitement, and a range of bet365 bonus codes are offering new users a chance to get in on the action with enticing promos.
Let’s start with the marquee event: Team USA faces Slovakia in the late game of the Olympic hockey semifinals, scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. The Americans arrive as heavy favorites, carrying a moneyline of -750 and a puck line of -2.5, meaning they’d need to win by three goals or more to cover the spread. Their journey to this point hasn’t been without drama. Just two days ago, the United States edged out Sweden 2-1 in a nail-biting overtime victory. Dylan Larkin found the net in the second period, while Quinn Hughes delivered the game-winner in OT, sending the Americans into the semis with momentum and confidence.
On the other side of the ice, Slovakia stunned Germany with a decisive 6-2 victory to punch their ticket to the semifinals. That win showcased Slovakia’s ability to rise to the occasion, but now they face their toughest challenge yet. As one analyst put it, “Slovakia has been the surprise package of the tournament so far, but they’ll face their stiffest test yet on Friday. Team USA showed some cracks in the armor in the early going, but they’ve found their game of late, and look like a juggernaut as we head into the final four.”
For bettors eager to get involved, bet365 has rolled out a series of bonus codes specifically timed with this Olympic showdown. New users can take advantage of the bonus code NYPBET or TOPACTION, both of which unlock a $150 bonus bet when you place a $5+ wager at minimum odds of -500 or greater. The best part? You get the $150 in bonus bets whether your initial wager wins or loses. There’s also the option of a $1,000 first bet safety net in select states—if your first bet loses, you’ll get matched bonus bets up to that amount, offering a cushion for those willing to take a bigger risk.
The bonus codes are available in a wide array of legal betting states, including Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. For New Jersey and Pennsylvania bettors, there are extra perks: 10 Golden Chips for New Jersey users and 50 casino spins for those in Pennsylvania. To qualify, you’ll need to deposit at least $10 and ensure your first bet meets the odds requirement.
As for the players to watch in the USA vs. Slovakia matchup, bet365 lists Auston Matthews as the odds-on favorite to score first (+600) or at any time (+105). Other American stars like Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk are also prominent in the goal scorer markets. On the Slovakian side, Juraj Slafkovsky leads their odds, with Pavol Regenda and Tomas Tatar also offering value for those looking for a long shot. The puck drops at 3:10 p.m. ET, and with the Americans favored, all eyes will be on whether Slovakia can pull off another upset or if Team USA will punch their ticket to the gold medal game.
But the Winter Olympics aren’t the only show in town. College basketball is heating up as well, with the Oklahoma Sooners facing the Tennessee Volunteers and the BYU Cougars taking on the Arizona Wildcats. Bet365’s bonus code WTOP365 allows new users to bet $5 on any NCAA basketball game and receive a $150 bonus or opt for a $1,000 safety net bet. The Oklahoma-Tennessee matchup sees the Vols as 11-point favorites, while Arizona is a 12.5-point favorite over BYU—a game influenced by injuries to BYU’s Richie Saunders (out for the season) and Arizona’s own depth issues. Tennessee’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie, averaging 18.2 points, and Oklahoma’s Xzayvier Brown, one of the nation’s best free-throw shooters at 90.8%, are among the players to watch.
For basketball fans, the NBA schedule is loaded as well. Friday’s games include the LA Clippers taking on the LA Lakers at 10 p.m. ET and the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Oklahoma City Thunder are huge favorites against the Nets, while the Timberwolves are double-digit favorites over the Mavericks. With bet365’s bonus codes, new users can bet on any NBA matchup and still qualify for the $150 bonus, as long as their wager meets the minimum odds requirement.
To claim any of these bet365 offers, the process is straightforward: download the app, enter the relevant bonus code (NYPBET, TOPACTION, WTOP365, or BNATION), deposit at least $10, and place a $5+ bet at -500 odds or longer. Once your qualifying bet settles, the bonus funds are credited to your account and remain valid for seven days—so you’ll want to plan your next moves quickly. Remember, these promos are for new customers only, and you must be located in a legal betting state. As always, terms and conditions apply, and responsible gambling is strongly encouraged.
With so much on the line across multiple sports, Friday promises to deliver high drama and big opportunities. Whether you’re backing Team USA to dominate on the ice, looking for value in college hoops, or eyeing an NBA upset, the combination of world-class competition and generous betting promos means there’s something for everyone.
As the Olympic hockey semifinal between Team USA and Slovakia gets underway, fans and bettors alike are bracing for what could be a defining moment in the tournament. The Americans may be favored, but in the world of sports—especially at the Olympic level—anything can happen. Stay tuned as the action unfolds, and may your wagers (and your teams) come out on top!