The world’s first Cheltenham Festival package holiday has officially been unveiled, giving racing fans the chance to follow every race live from a poolside in Benidorm rather than braving the elements in Gloucestershire.
New booking data shows a 22% rise in punters travelling abroad during Cheltenham week over the past two years, with 2026 expected to be the biggest year yet for festival fans choosing sunshine over soggy wellies. The new package, created by On the Beach, allows racegoers to enjoy the full Cheltenham experience overseas for £330 per person – the same price as a four-day Cheltenham Festival ticket, plus the cost of just two pints a day.
For that price, customers receive return flights, a five-night stay at a four-star all-inclusive resort, unlimited food and drink, and live coverage of every race on giant screens positioned poolside. The two participating hotels – Magic Aqua Rock Gardens and Villa España in Benidorm – will show every single race live, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment, even while floating on an inflatable.
Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, said the choice was obvious. “Let’s be honest, this is a total no-brainer. You can either stand shoulder-to-shoulder in Gloucestershire, wrapped in four layers, paying nearly eight quid a pint, or you can be sitting in a pool in Benidorm, sunshine guaranteed, drink in hand, watching every race on huge screens,” she said. “You get the racing, the atmosphere and the Guinness – just without the queues, the mud or the misery.”
She added: “While everyone else is battling gloomy weather and packed enclosures, our customers will be backing winners from the pool. When it comes to Cheltenham, this package wins by a clear length.”
The comparison is striking. Option one includes flights, five nights’ accommodation, unlimited food and drink, sunshine and live race coverage, all for £330. Option two, attending Cheltenham in person, offers four days’ entry, no food included, limited drinks, unpredictable weather and hefty queues – at the same cost.
A five-night all-inclusive stay at Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, with flights from London Stansted departing Monday, March 9, costs £330pp, while Villa España is available from £335pp. For those who venture beyond the hotel, Benidorm’s British pubs transform into racing hubs, complete with giant screens, betting areas and pints cheaper than a racecard.
To sweeten the deal further, On the Beach is offering all bookers complimentary 1GB of mobile data, ensuring fans can follow tips, place bets and share poolside celebrations throughout the festival.
