Benidorm Takes on Cheltenham as Brits Swap Racing Festival for Spanish Sunshine

Thousands of British horse-racing fans could be heading to Benidorm instead of Cheltenham as the Spanish resort looks set to become an unlikely alternative for next year's famous racing festival.

Benidorm is being promoted as a sunny alternative for British racing fans who want to follow the Cheltenham Festival while enjoying warmer weather, cheaper food and drinks and a holiday atmosphere.

The idea has already attracted considerable interest, with reports suggesting bookings connected to the Benidorm Cheltenham experience jumped by 225% in 2026.

Organisers are expecting the concept to attract around 40,000 British visitors next year.

Rather than battling the cold and unpredictable March weather in Britain, racing fans can watch the action on large screens while staying in one of Spain's most popular holiday resorts.

The concept combines one of Britain's biggest sporting events with everything Benidorm is known for - sunshine, beaches, hotels, bars and entertainment.

For British visitors, it could provide the opportunity to turn a few days of horse racing into a full holiday on the Costa Blanca.

The Cheltenham Festival traditionally attracts huge crowds to Gloucestershire every March, but the cost of travelling and accommodation in the UK can make the event an expensive trip.

Benidorm's supporters are hoping its combination of competitive prices and warm weather will persuade more racing fans to make the journey south.

And with the resort already one of the most popular destinations for British tourists, there is certainly no shortage of potential customers.

If the latest booking figures are anything to go by, Benidorm could soon have its own very different version of Cheltenham week.