As football fans across the UK gear up for a summer of high-stakes games, a major new travel trend has emerged: the football holiday. With tournament matches kicking off as late as 1 am UK time due to the transatlantic time difference, British supporters are refusing to let a change of scenery get in the way of their passion.

According to new research commissioned by easyJet holidays, the traditional, quiet getaway is being traded for a high-energy ‘fan-cation’. Instead of staying glued to the living room sofa, over a quarter (27%) of travellers are actively planning a football holiday designed around live match action.

Passports, Penalty Shootouts, and Poolside Screens

For dedicated supporters, match days are becoming the main event of their summer breaks. easyJet holidays' data reveals just how far Brits will go to secure the perfect football holiday:

  • 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: Rather than avoiding the tournament hype, 38% of supporters are intentionally booking trips to nations with a promising football culture just to experience the local celebrations.

  • Paying a Premium for Pitches: Catching a crucial game on a tiny smartphone screen by the pool isn't enough. A massive 70% of holidaymakers view a hotel’s screening facilities as a top priority, and 59% would pay up to £100 extra per person for a resort that guarantees a dedicated tournament hub.

The Generational Football Holiday Row

This shift toward the ultimate football holiday is causing a bit of friction by the pool. Over a quarter (27%) of partners admit to causing a "holiday row" over match schedules.

The data highlights a massive generation gap regarding viewing boundaries. A staggering 62% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennials maintain that tuning into a game during an intimate holiday celebration is completely fine. Meanwhile, only 30% of Baby Boomers agree, preferring total peace and quiet on their getaways.

The Ultimate Football Holiday Hotlist

To take the guesswork out of planning, easyJet holidays has curated a list of tournament-ready resorts across Europe and North Africa. These locations eliminate the stressful search for a local pub, combining guaranteed sunshine with extended all-inclusive hours, dedicated screening zones, and fan-first atmospheres.

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)

Main pool bar fully decorated with competing country flags and tournament decor, plus extended bar hours for the ultimate late-night experience.

Zeus Eleva Mirabello Bay

(Crete, Greece)

Offering extended All-Inclusive hours to cater for late-night North American kick-offs in a comfortable environment, with noise-conscious zoning.

Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa

(Sicily, Italy)

The Xtra Time Sports Bar serves US-style bites, hot dogs, and a massive selection of drinks across multiple flat-screen TVs.

Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort and Spa

(Dalaman, Turkey)

Sleek, indoor F-Lounge featuring dedicated English-language broadcasts, comfortable bar-stool seating, and a promise to show every match.

Alua Suites Fuerteventura

(Fuerteventura, Spain)

Giant-screen stadium vibes in the resort’s main theatre, public viewing at the Plaza and Agua Bar, plus free-to-air matches in private suites.

Mayfair Hotel

(Paphos, Cyprus)

The Flying Pig Sports Bar & Grill boasts huge screens and a dedicated, fan-first atmosphere built for tournament drama.

Acrogiali Beach Hotel

(Mykonos, Greece)

High-comfort, designated screening zones with big screens right by the beach, designed for fans who want luxury with their live sports.

Sunrise Solara & Alora Aqua Park Resort

(Hurghada, Egypt)

High-energy, stadium-side atmosphere in dedicated sports bars and lively viewing areas screening every match live under the sun.

"We know how much our customers look forward to their summer breaks, but we also know that true football fans can't just switch off their passion at passport control. Our data shows that 'Fan-cations' are a major trend for this summer, with Brits refusing to compromise on their holiday or their team."

— Stuart Wright, Customer Director at easyJet holidays

Leave the Remote, Take the Sun

With easyJet holidays, your next football holiday comes fully loaded. Package deals include flights & hotel accommodation with 23kg luggage and transfers included on beach holidays, all secured with a low deposit of just £60 per person.

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

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