What are the best places to watch the 2026 Cheltenham Festival in Benidorm? There will be thousands of British and Irish horse racing fans heading out to Alicante again this year, so we’ve listed the top five bars to watch the action.
Benidorm is becoming an increasingly popular destination for racing lovers to follow the action at Prestbury Park in early March and it’s clear to see why.
With almost guaranteed sun and cheap pints, a week in the Spanish holiday resort comes in at a fraction of the cost that it would cost to attend the festival in Gloucestershire. What better way to enjoy the 2026 Cheltenham Festival card?
Why Are Cheltenham Festival Fans Choosing Benidorm To Watch The Racing?
To put it short, the cost to go to Cheltenham for the week has skyrocketed in recent years.
Keen racing fans are being priced out of staying local to the course with some hotels hiking their rates by more than 285% on platforms like Booking.com.
On top of that, the expenses of food, drink, tickets and travel to Prestbury Park has become eye-watering. There’s no surprise that attendances at the Festival have been on a steady decline since 2022.
In fact, in the last three years , the total number of racegoers heading through the gates at Cheltenham has fallen by more than 55,000.
On the other hand, Benidorm offers racing lovers an appealing alternative. When you add up flights and accommodation, meals and a few beverages throughout the day, the Spanish seaside destination represents much more value for money.
Another attraction is the sheer amount of bars and pubs hosting the racing on large outdoor screens, it’s no secret as to why fans are choosing this option.
There’s also the added bonus of sun before and after racing, a rarity compared to Gloucestershire in March.
Watching the 2026 Cheltenham Festival whilst topping up your tan suddenly sounds like a winning combination! However if you’re not heading out to Benidorm and are just watching from home, you can follow the action on ITV Racing all week long.
Hotel Marina Resort Benidorm
What makes the Marina appealing is the convenience – it has virtually everything you need. The hotel itself has more than 400 rooms, and unsurprisingly they’re fully booked throughout Cheltenham week.
That said, you don’t even need to be a paying guest to soak up the atmosphere. Large screens are set up around the pool and bar area where pints of local beer will cost no more than €3.
With prices like that, racing fans are likely to have a few quid spare in their pocket to place bets on their favourite horses.
The big outdoor space allows thousands of fans to comfortably enjoy the racing across the week with the authentic ‘Benidorm vibe’ that the Marina offers!
Oasis Beach Club
And if you want to enjoy the racing with a sea view, the Oasis Beach Club is a solid option. Food and drink are well priced and much like the Marina, they have huge projector screens against a big wall, making the viewing experience a treat.
Even better, Oasis offers a spacious rooftop terrace, so not only can you watch every race but you can watch the action whilst overlooking the Benidorm seafront. And if you’re looking to cool off in between races, there’s also a swimming pool to enjoy.
Oasis are also famous for their cocktails if you prefer a Pina Colada to a pint of Guinness!
Andy’s Bar
Andy’s Simply The Best – otherwise known as Andy’s Bar – is another top choice for horse racing fans. It’s located on the corner of the main strip and has a reputation of generating a fantastic atmosphere.
The whole area really comes to life when Cheltenham is on, and with multiple TVs inside and out, it’s a bar not to be overlooked this March.
With an outdoor terrace, Andy’s offers more than just a bog standard race-watching experience, so arrive early to secure a good spot and take advantage of their reasonably priced pints!
The 12th Man
For most of the calendar year, The 12th Man is known as one of Benidorm’s more laid-back sports bars. But once Cheltenham comes around, it’s busy with racing fans and rates as one of the best options around.
The drinks prices are cheap and the food is also known to hold a strong reputation. With plenty of TVs at the venue, you’re guaranteed a clear view of all the action.
One feature that gives The 12th Man an edge over others is that they have a bookmaker located right next door – what better than placing a bet on the Champion Hurdle than doing it in the red hot sun?
Winning Post
Coming in as the number one best bar to watch the 2026 Cheltenham Festival is the Winning Post and it’s a firm favourite among racing fans during the week.
Situated on the main strip, the bar even houses its own bookmaker. With a cafe next door and cheap pints, it’s the perfect place for racing fans to indulge in the action.
It’s a true haven for punters, standing out as one of the top spots in Benidorm for fans to enjoy all 28 races!
