The World Cup 'fan-cation': England fans priced out of US trip are heading to Europe to 'tournament-ready' resorts and cruises to watch every match from the sun-lounger

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 01:12, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 01:22, 10 June 2026 England and Scotland fans priced out of attending the World Cup are travelling to European sunspots and embarking on cruise holidays to enjoy watching the action. Around 65,000 supporters from the UK have paid eye-watering amounts for tickets, flights and hotels to see the tournament in person in the US, Canada and Mexico. But others have decided against spending thousands of pounds to follow the football festival across three countries and four time zones as it kicks off this Thursday. While some hope to change sleep and work schedules to follow the event at home in the UK, others are trading the living room sofa for a Mediterranean sun-lounger. Cruise booking firms are also reporting strong demand for last-minute trips on ships where the World Cup will be screened so fans can watch the action at all hours. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of supporters are planning a 'fan-cation' where they will take time off to see the games on TV abroad, according to EasyJet Holidays. The same proportion admitted they have openly bickered with a partner or relative about watching matches while away - peaking at 49 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds. Some hotels in Europe have been advertising themselves to Brits as 'tournament-ready' resorts with extended all-inclusive hours and World Cup screening zones. England fans from Somerset show their backing for the team in Benidorm during Euro 2024 England fans on holiday in Benidorm cheer before the Euro 2024 final against Spain Holidaymakers in a hotel swimming pool in Benidorm as a match is shown during Euro 2024 The package holiday firm said 59 per cent of supporters claimed they would pay a premium of up to £100 each for a resort that guarantees a dedicated tournament hub. Among the resorts welcoming fans is the Zeus Eleva Mirabello Bay in Crete, which is offering extended all-inclusive hours for screenings with 'noise-conscious zoning'. Those heading to Fuerteventura could stay at Alua Suites for 'giant-screen stadium vibes' in a theatre, as well as public viewing and some matches in private suites. The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort and Spa in Turkey has an indoor lounge with dedicated English-language broadcasts and a 'promise to show every match'; while the Acrogiali Beach Hotel in Mykonos will have big screens next to the beach. Major cruise operators such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Ambassador are planning to show the games live on giant poolside screens and in dedicated lounges. Travel agency Iglu Cruise confirmed matches will be broadcast live across the firms' fleets, turning top decks and onboard sports bars into fan zones at sea. The company cited offers including a £1,829-per-person cruise on Norwegian Viva from the Greek islands to Istanbul with a stay in Venice from July 1 for 12 nights. A no-fly option from Tilbury is available on Ambassador's Ambience ship to see the Norwegian Fjords costing £1,028 per person from June 25 for 11 nights. Royal Carribean meanwhile is running a cruise on its Brilliance of the Seas liner across the Greek islands and Italy for £1,588 per person from July 6 for seven nights. Dave Mills, chief commercial officer for Iglu Cruise, said: 'Last-minute cruising where the World Cup games will be shown on board has seen strong demand. 'The ease of a cruise, with all the interesting ports, on board entertainment, and full board is a given, then on top of that, the option to follow all the games in one of the bars or on the pool deck means no hassle or stress.'  England fans in Tampa Bay for the pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand on Saturday Harry Kane leads England out for the friendly against New Zealand in Tampa Bay on Saturday England fans in Tampa Bay for the pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand on Saturday Are sky-high World Cup travel prices ruining the spirit of football for ordinary fans? What's your view?The Three Lions beat New Zealand 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly in Tampa Bay on Saturday. They will play a final warm-up game in Orlando with Costa Rica on Wednesday before some rest time and then move to their tournament base in Kansas City. England begin against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 at 9pm UK time, then play Ghana in Boston on June 23 again at 9pm and Panama in New Jersey on June 27 at 10pm. Scotland will start against Haiti on June 14 at 2am, then play Morocco on June 19 at 11pm, both in Boston; before heading to Miami to face Brazil on June 24 at 11pm. Fans of the Three Lions are hoping their journey will finish in glory on July 19 by ending 60 years of hurt and winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966. Scotland meanwhile have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, having never managed to get out of the group stage in any of their eight previous appearances. Some Brits are spending their life savings travelling to the World Cup despite facing eye-wateringly expensive tickets, extreme heat and long-distance journeys. Supporters of all countries face complex planning to see matches, given the logistics involved in attending a tournament spanning three countries. Among them is England fan @kbmedia11 who said on TikTok: 'I'm watching England go all the way to the final. So here's how I spent my life savings to make it happen. 'Since my first World Cup in 2010 I've always dreamt of watching England play at the World Cup. So now the time has finally come. Fifa has taken the p*** with this tournament - the prices were a bit mad, but I booked it anyway.' He said tickets for the seven matches he plans to attend cost £8,347 including more than £5,000 for the final. Accommodation in nine cities totalled £2,241 and flights cost £2,113. He is budgeting £1,500 for food and £1,000 for other expenses. This gives him a total of £15,201. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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