British horse racing fans are swapping the mud of Gloucestershire for the Costa Blanca to watch the 2027 Cheltenham Festival under the Spanish sun. Located just over 1,000 miles away, Benidorm offers cheaper drinks, warm weather, and massive screens broadcasting every race.

Early-bird offers for Benidorm 2027

Hotel bookings surged by 225 per cent for 2026, making the Spanish resort a hotter ticket than Cheltenham itself. While racegoers at the actual track face £7.50 pints of Guinness and hour-long toilet queues, visitors to the Costa Blanca avoid the soaring costs of attending in person.

Join the Benidorm party in 2027

Burgers cost £12 at Cheltenham alongside tickets ranging from £47 to £180. Meanwhile, Benidorm charges £1.70 for a pint and around £6 for a burger, with free entry to most bars featuring jumbo screens. Lucy Young, known online as The Benidorm Enthusiast, stated that the trip is a no-brainer for budget-conscious Brits.

She said, "You can probably do the four days here in Benidorm with flights, accommodation and booze spends for what it costs you to attend one day at the actual Cheltenham Festival."

She added, "And you've got a much better chance of some good weather here, it's a no-brainer for many."

Travel experts estimate that up to 40,000 Brits travelled to Benidorm for the 2026 festival, with numbers expected to rise in 2027. Travel partners have put together several packages for those wanting to book early.

Visitors can stay at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas, featured in the television show Benidorm, for five nights of all-inclusive packages starting at £439 per person beginning on 15 March 2027. A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the same hotel starts at £590 per person starting on 13 March 2027. TUI also offers a seven-night full-board package at the Hotel Rio Park starting from £650 per person on 13 March 2027, while the 4-star Gran Hotel Bali offers five nights all-inclusive with flights from £319 per person starting on 15 March 2027.

Brits make up over 40 per cent of all visitors to Benidorm, with more than 773,000 staying in official accommodation between January and September 2025.

Benidorm is everyone's favourite

Travel packages are also available for other major events, including the Grand National from £199 per person, the Epsom Derby from £179 per person, and Royal Ascot from £179 per person. Additional deals cover Real Madrid matches, a week-long trip to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix for £599 per person, Wimbledon, and England cricket matches.