ENGLAND fans have declared Sunday’s Euro 2024 final the “battle of Benidorm” as Spanish cops deploy riot police, drones and booze bans to cope with the surge of fans.
Benidorm council chiefs have put preventative measures in place for pubs and clubs showing the mammoth clash with them telling bar staff to only give England fans beer in plastic pint glasses.
The travelling Three Lions’s fans have vowed to transform the famous Costa Blanca resort into a battleground on the day of the final against the Spanish.
To counter any rowdiness, public security councillor Jesus Carrobles has said booze served in glasses will be banned from 6pm.
The game kicks off at 9pm in Benidorm – with elated England fans expected to pile into pubs as early as possible in their droves.
A whopping 70,000 litres of beer is expected to be sunk on Sunday – 25,000 more than on a normal day, say local reports.
Carrobles has also banned business owners in the town’s beloved Little England area from setting up street bars on match day to avoid any escalation of trouble.
Benidorm’s Rincon de Loix area, a tourist haven for Brits abroad, announced they are using drones to keep a close eye on fan zones.
The security measures are all forming part of a special police operation which will also see several streets closed off and riot police on standby.
Parking will also be restricted from Saturday night to help with pedestrian movement.
If Luis de la Fuente’s impressive Spain side wins the final, the town’s Plaza de la Hispanidad square will be closed to traffic due to the expected celebrations.
Benidorm Council said: “The monitoring of security and any incidents that might occur will be carried out from the Coordination Centre which will be located at the Benidorm Local Police Headquarters, where there will be local and national agents working together.”
Benidorm mayor Toni Perez has insisted the town has “sufficient resources and experience to be able to deal with an event of this nature”.
He added overnight: “I am confident it will be a day of celebration for both fans where a fun and festive atmosphere reigns, with calm and good co-existence between Spaniards and England fans.”
Desperate England fans have been priced out of attending the final in Berlin with ticket prices soaring since Ollie Watkin’s winner against the Netherlands.
Up to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions’ first ever final on foreign soil as part of a ‘Berlin Airlift’.
Leaving those who couldn’t grab a gold dust ticket already planning to jet off to a sunny location such as Benidorm to enjoy the game.
Following England’s last gasp screamer fans were quick to try and snap up tickets, flights and hotels ahead of a historic Sunday 14.
Ticket prices for Sunday’s final flew up on the re-sale market with the most expensive seat selling for an incredible £78,000-a-pair.
Some of the lowest-priced tickets – known as “Fans First” – are now sat at £4,400 – 25 times more expensive than the £85 face value they’re worth through UEFA.
UP to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions' first ever final on foreign soil - with the cost quickly adding up for fans.
Tickets*
Most expensive ticket – £39,000
Premium resell ticket – £5,500 to £16,600
Category 1 ticket – £3,100 to £6,600
Category 2 ticket – £2,200 to £4,400
Category 3 ticket – £1,700 to £3,500
Fans First ticket – £2,045 to £4,400
Hotels
Holiday Inn Berlin – £345 for Sunday night
Courtyard Berlin City Centre – £606 for Sunday night
Airbnb – Upwards of £117-a-night
Flights
EasyJet flights, UK airports to Berlin – £918
British Airways, Heathrow to Berlin – £782
*Data from KingCasinoBonus
Meaning the cost has soared by 2,456 per cent, according to data from KingCasinoBonus.
UEFA have warned fans about buying tickets from outside sellers as they said: “We urge fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market.”
Not only do fans need to fork out a small fortune on tickets to the match but they also need to pay for flights and hotels.
Joyous England fans have spent the night scrambling to join a ‘Berlin Airlift’ heading to Sunday’s final against Spain – with flights swiftly soaring up in price.
With 21 EasyJet flights to Berlin from Birmingham, Bristol, Luton and Gatwick between Friday and the match also being fully booked.
The remaining EasyJet flights going from Gatwick to Berlin in the next few days are priced at a whopping £918.
The same seat will set back punters just £167 a week later.
Hotel prices in Berlin have also rocketed with a one-night stay at a Holiday Inn in Berlin costing £345 on Sunday night.
Over £200 more expensive than the same room a week later.
The Courtyard Berlin City Centre is also charging £606 for Sunday night in its cheapest room – but just £137 the following Sunday.
England have played Spain 27 times in total - here is a look at every result dating back to 1929...
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
