Sitting at home and working quietly on the computer, and then the madness begins. Neighbours in southern Spain have started lighting fireworks at unusual hours, even though local bylaws forbid their use. Why? Another fiesta we expats didn’t remember? Are they celebrating the end of the academic year and the beginning of the school holidays? No. The FIFA World Cup has just kicked off with its opening ceremony at the historic Estadio Azteca.

Spain supporters feel the excitement and want to celebrate every goal and victory. Yet the sudden bangs and flashes catch people off guard in many places, especially in quiet villages.

World Cup excitement ramps up street celebrations

Spain’s first matches will draw big crowds to bars and homes across the country. Fans will celebrate with flags, songs and, in some places, untimely and rarely appropriate fireworks. Past tournaments showed similar scenes when the Spanish team did well. This time the pattern repeats itself early because the tournament starts in June. Villages will see small groups setting off rockets before, during and after matches, often without permission or the right safety measures.

Rules broken in many areas

Local councils across Andalucia and other regions already ban or restrict fireworks outside organised events. Police issue fines, yet enforcement stays patchy, as this is almost a cultural tradition. Individuals light bangers in the streets, fields and near homes anyway. Some argue culture allows it during big football moments. Others simply ignore the rules because they believe no one will stop them. And, most of the time, they are right. Reports from residents confirm the practice is spreading quickly, and will do even more once Spain takes to the pitch.

Noise disturbs expats on the coast

British residents living on the Costa del Sol and similar areas are already complaining about frequent fireworks at festivals. World Cup matches add extra nights of disruption. Loud explosions wake people at midnight or later. Some expats describe anxiety from the unpredictable bangs. Those with hearing issues or young children feel the stress most of all.

Pets and wildlife suffer

Dogs shake, bark or hide under furniture when the unexpected fireworks begin. Cats run away or refuse to eat for days. Vets in coastal towns see more stressed animals during peak football periods and during local fiestas. Birds nesting nearby tend to fly off in panic and sometimes abandon nests. Smaller wildlife such as hedgehogs and bats face a similar fright. The noise travels far in open countryside, affecting areas well beyond the village centre.

What to expect after Spain games

Spain’s group matches and any knockout games will likely bring fresh waves of celebrations. Fans will gather in squares and streets to watch on big screens. Once the final whistle blows, some turn to fireworks to celebrate wins. Losses may produce noisy displays, but tension still hangs around. Expats should prepare for several nights of noise around each Spain fixture.

Check local council websites for any temporary restrictions or exceptions during the tournament. Close windows and curtains early on match nights. Keep pets indoors with familiar blankets and music to mask sounds. Speak to neighbours calmly if displays seem excessive.

The World Cup brings joy for many, yet the extra fireworks create real problems for some residents, animals and the local environment.

Marbella has turned heads once again. Spotted off the coast of Puerto Banus, the magnificent 110-metre megayacht Kaos, owned by American billionaire Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, has drawn crowds of onlookers to the glamorous marinas, arriving in convoy with its 67-metre support vessel, Kalm.

A floating palace with Qatari royal origins

Kaos carries an eye-watering price tag of around €300 million, making it one of the most spectacular and valuable private vessels in international sailing. Originally built in the Netherlands by renowned shipyard Oceanco, the vessel was commissioned for the late Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, before later passing into Walton Laurie’s hands.

Onboard services are designed to rival those of an ultra-luxury hotel, comfortably accommodating up to 31 guests across 15 premium cabins, including an exclusive master suite located on an entirely private deck. A dedicated crew of up to 45 professionals keeps things flawlessly running. World-class amenities include a fully equipped gymnasium, a luxury spa, a guest lift, an onboard cinema room, a certified helipad, and a private medical bay.

The optical illusion that stops people in their tracks

Much of Kaos’s fame rests on her extraordinary exterior, the work of Barcelona-based designer Igor Lobanov, who has said he “was allowed to do anything he wanted.” Cascading decks painted in different shades of blue evoke the waves of the sea, create an effect that tricks the eye into perceiving a far leaner silhouette than the vessel truly possesses. At the time of her delivery, she contained more marble and stone in her interior than any other superyacht ever recorded.

Following purchase, Walton Laurie, daughter of Walmart co-founder James “Bud” Walton and one of the world’s wealthiest women with a fortune estimated at around $10 billion, undertook a major refit in Hamburg. Over 1,500 square metres of interior spaces were redesigned, and the yacht was rechristened Kaos.

Meet Kalm, the vessel travelling in convoy

Accompanying Kaos on her Puerto Banus visit is Kalm, a 67-metre support vehicle valued at around $30 million. Carrying helicopters, tenders, jet skis, and all technical equipment required for operations at sea, Kalm ensures Kaos keeps its guest spaces completely uncluttered

Environmental scrutiny and a brush with eco-activists

Kaos has not always sailed in calm waters. Back in July 2023,she was targeted by eco-activists , defacing her hull with red and black spray paint in protest at the environmental impact of superyacht travel. During a previous stay in Spanish waters, Euro Weekly News reported on the massive strain the vessel placed on local infrastructure, revealing how the €300m superyacht drained immense amounts of electricity and shore power simply to keep its internal systems running while sitting idle at the dock in Malaga.

Puerto Banus still a magnet for the global elite

Every summer, the world’s most exclusive superyachts choose the famous port as one of their stops through Europe. Few destinations can match Marbella’s combination of glamour, infrastructure, and climate.