Swap the sofa for a sun lounger

Football fans, start stretching those vocal cords. Summer 2026 is shaping up to be the season of the football holiday, where live matches, sunshine and poolside celebrations all come bundled into one very lively getaway.

With some of the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s matches kicking off as late as 2am UK time because of the time difference with North America, plenty of fans are looking beyond the living room and planning holidays around the action instead. In fact, new easyJet holidays research shows that 27% of travellers are actively planning a football holiday built around live match screenings.

So, what exactly is a football holiday? Think sunny resorts with big screens, dedicated match zones, extended bar hours and enough atmosphere to make every fixture feel like a mini final. It’s your standard holiday formula, but with added goal celebrations.

Passports, penalty shootouts, and poolside screens

For some fans, the fixture list’s now as important as the flight time. easyJet's research shows that almost half of British fans would skip a pre-booked excursion, day trip, or romantic dinner if it clashed with a crucial knockout game, and it’s not just about catching the match

  • Ditching dinner for drama: Almost half (48%) of British fans admit they would willingly skip a pre-booked holiday excursion, a day trip, or a romantic dinner if it clashed with a crucial knockout game.

  • Soaking up the atmosphere:  Some 38% of supporters say they’re intentionally booking trips to countries with a promising football culture, so they can soak up the local celebrations as well as the sunshine.

  • Paying a premium for pitches: Hotel facilities matter, too. A huge 70% of holidaymakers say a hotel’s screening facilities are a top priority, while 59% would pay up to £100 extra per person for a resort with a guaranteed tournament hub.

Translation? A tiny phone screen by the pool simply will not cut it – absolutely not!

How to choose a football holiday hotel

A good football holiday hotel should make match days feel easy. Look for dedicated screening areas, proper seating, big screens, bar service, and clear information on which fixtures will be shown.

Travelling with non-football fans? Choose a resort with separate viewing zones, quieter areas, pools, restaurants and entertainment, so the whole holiday doesn’t revolve around the final whistle. Noise-conscious screening areas can be a real relationship-saver when kick-off runs late.

All Inclusive can be a smart move, too. With snacks, drinks and meals already sorted, you can focus on the important tactical questions, like whether to watch the second half from the sports bar or the pool terrace – decisions, decisions.

The football holiday hotlist

To make planning easier, easyJet holidays has pulled together a line-up of match-ready resorts across Europe and North Africa. These hotels combine sunshine, screening spaces, and fan-friendly facilities, so you don’t have to go hunting for somewhere to watch the game after dinner.

The table below, sourced from easyJet holidays, outlines the top match-ready hotels for your summer getaway:

Hotel & Destination

What’s on Offer for Your Football Holiday

Los Zocos Impressive Lanzarote

(Lanzarote, Spain)

Best for poolside atmosphere. The main pool bar will be decorated with competing country flags and tournament décor, with extended bar hours for late-night matches.

Zeus Eleva Mirabello Bay

(Crete, Greece)

Best for late kick-offs. This resort is offering extended All Inclusive hours for North American match times, with noise-conscious zoning for fans and non-fans.

Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa

(Sicily, Italy)

Best for sports-bar energy. Xtra Time Sports Bar serves US-style bites, hot dogs, and drinks, and matches will be shown across multiple flat-screen TVs.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort and Spa

(Dalaman, Turkey)

Best for English-language broadcasts. The indoor F-Lounge offers dedicated English-language coverage, comfortable bar seating, and plans to show every match.

Alua Suites Fuerteventura

(Fuerteventura, Spain)

Best for big-screen moments. Expect stadium-style viewing in the main theatre, public screenings at the Plaza and Agua Bar, plus free-to-air matches in private suites.

Mayfair Hotel

(Paphos, Cyprus)

Best for a classic sports bar set-up. The Flying Pig Sports Bar & Grill brings huge screens and a fan-first atmosphere made for tournament drama.

Acrogiali Beach Hotel

(Mykonos, Greece)

Best for beachside viewing. Designated screening zones with big screens bring the football close to the sand, so you can keep one eye on the match and one on the Aegean.

Sunrise Solara & Alora Aqua Park Resort

(Hurghada, Egypt)

Best for high-energy match nights. Dedicated sports bars and lively viewing areas will screen matches live, bringing proper stadium-style buzz to the resort.

What about the non-football fans?

Not everyone wants their summer holiday served with stoppage time, and that’s fine. The trick is picking a resort where match screenings add to the atmosphere without taking over the entire trip.

Look for hotels with pools, kids’ clubs, spas, beach access and varied restaurants, so everyone gets their version of a great holiday. One person can watch penalties, another can book a massage, and nobody has to pretend they’re thrilled about extra time – ideal.

Leave the remote, take the sunshine

With easyJet holidays, your football holiday can include flights, hotel accommodation, and you’ll also get 23kg of luggage and airport transfers on beach holidays, with low deposits from £60pp.

So, whether you’re planning every match day in advance or just want somewhere sunny with a big screen nearby, summer 2026 is ready for kick-off. Swap the sofa for a sun lounger, keep the goals coming, and let the holiday do the heavy lifting.

Ready to swap the sofa for a sun lounger without missing a single penalty shootout? Explore the full list of match-ready resorts

Football holiday FAQs

  • What is a football holiday?: A football holiday is a trip planned around watching live football while you’re away, usually at hotels with dedicated screening areas, sports bars, big screens or tournament hubs.

  • Will hotels show World Cup 2026 matches?: Selected easyJet holidays hotels are planning match-ready facilities, from sports bars and big screens to extended bar hours and dedicated viewing zones. Make sure you check individual hotel details before booking.

  • Are football holidays good for families?: Yes, especially at resorts with pools, kids’ clubs, entertainment, and separate viewing areas. That way, football fans can watch the match while everyone else still gets a proper holiday.

  • Which destinations are best for a football holiday?: The current hotlist includes hotels in Lanzarote, Crete, Sicily, Dalaman, Fuerteventura, Paphos, Mykonos and Hurghada, with each offering different match-day facilities and resort perks.

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