The Cheltenham Festival has begun, but many fans are not watching the races at the famous track. Instead, thousands of British racegoers have travelled to Benidorm to follow the action from bars and hotels along the Spanish coast.
The famous race meeting takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse in the United Kingdom. However, rising costs have encouraged many supporters to watch the races while enjoying a holiday abroad.
Travel companies report a huge increase in bookings for the festival week. According to On the Beach, bookings to Benidorm have increased by 65% compared with last year. Hotels in the resort have also seen a sharp rise in demand.
Cheaper Alternative for Racing Fans
Many fans say the cost of attending the festival has grown too high. Some travellers claim they can spend several days in Spain for less money than a single day at the racecourse.
Visitors highlight several advantages of watching the festival in Spain. These include warm weather, cheaper food and drinks, and fewer crowds compared with the busy racecourse environment.
Despite the trend, some loyal supporters still prefer the atmosphere at Cheltenham. Long-time racegoers say the excitement of watching top horses compete live cannot be replaced.
Cheltenham Still Attracts Huge Crowds
Organisers still expect more than 220,000 spectators to attend the four-day festival. The event remains the highlight of the jump-racing season and one of the biggest sporting occasions in Britain.
To attract more fans, organisers have introduced several changes. These include additional discounted ticket options and a slight reduction in beer prices. Daily attendance limits have also been lowered to reduce overcrowding.
Officials say the festival remains special whether fans watch from the stands, at home, or abroad.
Even with the rise of “Costa del Cheltenham” in Spain, the historic racing event continues to hold a unique place in the sport’s calendar.
