UK racing fans trade Cheltenham's high costs for Spanish sun

A growing number of British horse racing enthusiasts are forgoing attending the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, opting instead to watch the event from the Spanish resort town of Benidorm This trend, which some have termed 'BeniChelts', is driven by the allure of sunshine, cheaper food and drink, and a more laid-back experience free of crowds and queues According to travel retailer On the Beach, bookings to Benidorm for the festival week are up 65% compared to the previous year, with hotels in the area recording a 225% increase in bookings for the same period

Fans who have made the switch point to escalating financial pressures associated with attending the UK event. Stephen Dahl, a fan who has been going to Benidorm for the festival since 2020, cited the increasing cost of accommodation as a primary reason for the change He explained that having to stay farther from the racecourse and pay for expensive taxis made attending the festival in person less feasible The significant rise in bookings for the 'BeniChelts' experience highlights a shift in how some fans are choosing to engage with major sporting events amid rising costs