England followers plan to look at the World Cup from 4,000 miles away

EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of Brits plan to snub US and jet to Spain to watch the World Cup on giant screens in sun-drenched party capital Benidorm where lager is just 87p-a-pint

View 4 Images

England fans plan to jet off to watch the World Cup – in Benidorm.

They are snubbing the cost and security fears of travelling to the US to see the Three Lions bid to end 60 years of hurt.

Instead they will fly 4,000 miles away from the action to the UK’s No1 holiday hotspot in Spain to watch the tournament on the big screen with pals at scores of football bashes hosted in the sun-kissed party resort – with lager at 87p-a-pint. Travel chiefs hailed the venue transfer a ‘no brainer’.

Fans will not have to worry about the threat of terror attacks – with the US on high alert due to war with Iran – clashing with Donald Trump’s killer ICE immigration agents, or Mexico’s murderous drug cartels.

And a Benidorm World Cup trip costs a fraction of the price. A week-long budget trip to the US to watch England’s group matches against Ghana and Panama live will cost at least £5,000 for flights, accommodation and match tickets – which are alone at least £600 each on secondary selling sites.

The same week in Benidorm taking in both games costs just £385.

That includes flights and a beachfront holiday apartment with a pool.

Bookings to Benidorm have rocketed 54% during England’s games compared to other dates this summer.

Holiday experts at On the Beach expect them to soar even higher as the June tournament draws closer.

The tour operator’s holiday expert Caspar Nelson said: “It looks as though Benidorm will become a base camp for the England fans this summer and you can certainly see why.

“It will cost fans thousands to get to the USA and – according to some prices – thousands to attend the games too.

“So when you can get guaranteed sunshine, one Euro pints, an incredible atmosphere and guaranteed nightlife for a fraction of the price it’s a no brainer for fans.”

One of dwindling number of deals that remain involves a stay at the Benibeach Apartments which boast their own outdoor pool, tennis courts and kitchens to cut catering costs.

The apartments, on the Platja de Ponent, cost from £385 from June 22 to 29.

England play Ghana in Boston, US, on June 23 and their final group game against Panama – which should decide if they qualify for the knockout stages – on June 27 at the New York-New Jersey stadium.

Tickets for each match were last night available on secondary selling sites from £600 – which alone is twice the price of a week-long Benidorm football fest – to a staggering £92,071 for a VIP experience.

The Corner Bar in Benidorm, which specialises in serving British grub, asked online ‘who’s coming’ to the resort for the World Cup.

“There’s no doubt, this town is going to be absolutely bouncing come kick off,” it said.

“Modern sports bars on every street, most equipped with great quality huge screens, open more or less 24 hours a day.

“Not getting ripped off for food & beer, red hot wall-to-wall sunshine come mid-June, two hours on a flight from the UK.

“Is there a better place in Europe to watch it? Roll on June!”

We told last week how insurers are recommending England fans heading to the US should get ‘emergency evacuation cover’ as they will be entering a situation of extreme danger.

The US is at war with Iran – and the two nations could play each other.

The Middle East state has fired missiles at six other playing nations during the conflict.

Intelligence chiefs fear Iranian sleepers could be deployed to carry out terror attacks on the West.

While in Mexico rival cartels are battling it out for territory after drug lord Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Cervantes was killed by the military six weeks ago.

Insurance chiefs say there is no guarantee all the matches will take place as scheduled and without incident – or that fans will not suffer travel, accommodation or medical woes.

Simon McCulloch, chief growth officer at Staysure, told Insurance Times: “Comprehensive cover for a trip like this means high medical expense limits, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, disruption cover and, critically, cover for pre-existing conditions.”

Andrew Tolman, head of travel insurance at Allianz Partners UK, said: “Enhanced trip cancellation or interruption cover is particularly important to protect against unscheduled changes, delays or event cancellations.

“Additional medical and emergency evacuation cover can offer reassurance in destinations with high healthcare costs.

“Baggage and personal belongings cover is also advisable given the higher risk of loss or theft in busy environments, while event ticket protection can help safeguard the cost of non‑refundable match tickets.”