Horse racing fans will be flocking to Benidorm to watch the Cheltenham festival

Social media has been awash with accounts of people travelling to the iconic Spanish resort to enjoy the racing. It has been suggested fans can save thousands by travelling to Benidorm rather than getting tickets and accommodation for the event itself.

While a pint of beer at Cheltenham can set you back roughly £8, the same drop in the Costa Blanca destination is only £2. Meals in Spain can cost as little as £6 – while the price of a burger alone can set you back £12 at the races. And a day ticket costs upwards of £50 at Cheltenham – while the viewing experience in Benidorm is free.

Now, a sports betting website is offering four people an even cheaper way to do it – with a competition to win an all-expenses paid trip to Benidorm over the festival.

Last year, the internet blew up when Freebets.com ran a competition to send punters to Spain, after fans worked it would be cheaper to watch the racing there than actually attend Cheltenham. And the trip is returning ahead of this year’s event, with flights, accommodation and VIP treatment on offer between March 10-15 – with social media sensation Stephen ‘Racing Blogger’ Power also joining them.

Now, four racing fans will have the chance to jet off to Benidorm and watch the world-famous event in the sun themselves this year, on an all-expenses paid trip.

Flights, hotels and food will all be included in the competition prize, which closes on March 4, with entry available here.

In 2025, lucky punters had the approval of Derek 'Tommo' Thompson and six Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Paddy Brennan.

This year’s festival will see Inothewayurthinkin currently sitting near the top of the charts for a likely winner of the prestigious Gold Cup. But they’ll be given a tough race by previous winner Galopin des Champs, who was denied a ‘threepeat’ Gold Cup victory in 2025.

Across the four days of the tournament – Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day – the sound of thundering hooves will echo across Gloucestershire, entertaining thousands – except four who will be soaking up the sun in Spain.

Dominic Celica, of Freebets.com, said: "Our competition was such a success last year, we had to give fans the chance to go again. Cheltenham in the changeable British weather is always brilliant, but who would want to miss out on a chance of some serious sunshine?

“Who knows, if you’re lucky enough to win this competition, that luck may extend to whichever horses you decide to place a bet on. And even if you decide to enter but don’t want to put a penny on the horses, five days in Benidorm’s not bad on its own.”

Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse said: “The Cheltenham Festival is a world class sporting event at an iconic venue that takes place once a year. It is wonderful to see so many people wanting to engage with and celebrate the event.

“Whether fans are watching from the comfort of their own home, while on holiday in Benidorm or soaking up the unbeatable atmosphere on course, we want them to feel a part of it and are proud that these four days in March are a key marker in people’s calendars each year.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of racegoers through the gates across the four days and as anyone who has joined us here before will know, nothing feels like being at Cheltenham!”