Popular tourist spots like Benidorm and Magaluf are preparing for an influx of British football fans, with police deploying extra manpower and local business trying to position Spain as a cheaper alternative to watching the World Cup stateside.
Spain’s tourist destinations are preparing themselves for a mass influx of football fans for the World Cup, with security forces bolstering manpower for the tournament.
However, local business owners are keen to welcome football fans and are also trying to position Spain as a cheaper alternative to watching the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Authorities along the Costa Blanca and Island resorts have taken the steps based on experience of previous tournaments, and due to an 18 percent spike in flights from the UK to Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport during the tournament, which starts on July 10th.
Benidorm City Council has put a special security operation in place for the World Cup after Councillor for Public Safety, Jesús Carrobles, and the Chief of the Local Police, José Carlos Amorós, told EFE on Wednesday that the operation will be carried out in coordination with the National Police and will be adapted to the progress of the tournament and the fixtures as they take place.
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Amorós recalled the friendly experience of the Euro 2022 final between Spain and England when Benidorm saw a large gathering of supporters from both teams. Contrary to popular belief, over 1 million Spaniards also holiday in Benidorm every year.
The operation will pay particular attention to the matches involving the England and Scotland teams, considered to be those likely to attract the largest crowds of fans in Benidorm, the main destination for British tourists in Spain.
However, the popular tourist destination is keen to welcome football fans. Given the high cost of flights, hotels and tickets to watch the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, several local businesses are launching initiatives to position Benidorm into a sort of alternative hub for the tournament for fans who are unable to travel, similar to as has happened before with horse racing events in the UK.
Under slogans such as “the World Cup will be in Benidorm”, some venues are advertising live broadcasts, presenters to host pre- and post-match shows, streaming programmes, interviews with fans and special events surrounding England and Scotland’s matches.
This comes as Calvià Council in Mallorca, home to the party resort of Magaluf, said it will allow establishments in the municipality to extend their opening hours during certain matches of the 2026 World Cup up to 15 minutes after the match has ended, provided the match has started before the venue’s usual closing time.
In a statement published on Wednesday, the council explained that the mayor has approved a by-law establishing exceptional opening hours for the broadcast of certain matches.
The document specifies that if a match begins within the establishment’s normal opening hours, it will not be necessary to cease operations in the premises or on the terrace at the usual closing time, ensuring that customers do not miss the end of the match.
