Boozy hot-spot Benidorm is “gearing up” for England fans as they’re set to welcome them in droves for Euro 2024 with “buckets of lager” – and they’re even set to out drink the Spanish.
Despite UK pubs and fan zones being at the ready to welcome punters amidst what feels like a going-out drought, many England fans are hopping on the short flight to the Costa Blanca seaside spot in pursuit of cheaper pints and better weather.
And now we’ve got the insider knowledge from Benidorm ‘royalty’ about how he thinks English tourists and Spanish locals will get on.
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Some said it will be “hell on earth”, while others are “buzzing” about being in the resort for England’s campaign, which began with a 1-0 win against Serbia last night.
According to Nigel Pope, known as the ‘King of Benidorm’, Benidorm’s atmosphere is “amazing” as boozers are ready to welcome the English – despite rising tensions between Spanish locals and Brits elsewhere.
(Image: Nigel Pope)
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Nigel said: “The atmosphere is amazing at the moment and Benidorm is getting geared up ready for the Euros.
“In the New Town area, definitely the England fans will outweigh the Spanish, but in Central and Old Town it will be mainly Spanish.
“The English fans will undoubtedly drink more than most Spanish, although recently I have seen a lot more Spanish who have been drinking more than usual.
“I have never seen any confrontations between the Spanish and English ever in Benidorm and hope that it will stay that way.”
Nigel hopes that the atmosphere between locals and tourists will stay friendly.
But with literal bucket loads of booze involved, hooliganism is not totally off the cards – the phenomenon is often called the “English Disease” after all.
(Image: Getty Images)
Nigel, who moved to Benidorm from Cornwall seven years ago, does understand that Brits do have a “bad reputation” for their alcohol-fuelled antics abroad.
However, he thinks with bars stocking up on offers, freebies, big screens and along with the Benidorm sun, that it will make for an “amazing” place to watch England in the European Championship.
Nigel explained: “Most bars in New Town will be showing the football, but the ones with massive screens will be the most popular, like The Hotel Marina, their screen has to be 15ft by 12ft.
“As well as The Railway, Tikki Bars along the seafront, The Sports Bar obviously and loads of others with the larger screens.
“Many places are starting to offer bucket deals on lager, some offering freebies that the suppliers have given them.
(Image: Daily Star)
“Definitely Benidorm will be an amazing place to watch the Euros.
“The main reason is that the sun should be shining and most screens are outside, so the fans will feel so much happier sitting or standing around in the hot sunshine and enjoying the games.”
Nigel’s comments come after many English fans have been discussing their plans to fly over to Benidorm specifically to watch England in the Euros.
Talks of cheaper drinks and better weather seem to be at the forefront of the decision as June’s wet forecast and expensive pint prices are steering fans to book budget flights and accommodation abroad.
While Benidorm is supposedly welcoming to British tourists, the same “amazing” atmosphere can’t be said for the rest of Spain which has been protesting about over-tourism in recent weeks.