Curaçao made history this year. The 171-square-mile Dutch Caribbean island — known for its candy-colored Willemstad waterfront, crystal-clear diving, and Sandals Royal Curaçao’s swim-up suites — qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the smallest country ever to earn a spot in the tournament.

That’s a big deal for an island with a population of about 160,000. And Sandals Royal Curaçao isn’t letting the moment pass quietly.

The resort has launched Vacation Goals: Curaçao Edition, a summer-long celebration program running from June 11 through July 19, 2026 — the entire duration of the World Cup. It includes beachside match watch parties, World Cup-themed dining and cocktails, a brand-new cultural tour through Willemstad, and a sweepstakes you can enter right now to win a free stay.

The sweepstakes deadline is April 12 — six days from today.

What Is the Vacation Goals: Curaçao Edition Program?

Sandals Royal Curaçao’s summer program is built around three pillars: watching the matches, tasting the food, and experiencing the island’s World Cup culture firsthand.

Watch Parties at the Resort

Throughout the tournament, Sandals Royal Curaçao will host beachside match viewing events with on-resort soccer goals and foosball tables set up for guest participation. Game-day food specials rotate through the cuisines of competing nations — each with a Caribbean twist — and the resort’s bar team has created themed cocktails inspired by the three host countries (Canada, the United States, and Mexico), along with zero-proof options.

General Manager Jeffrey Speelmam put it simply: “Curaçao’s World Cup qualification is more than a sporting achievement — it’s a defining cultural moment.”

The Curaçao Futbòl Culture Tour

Island Routes — the adventure and excursion company connected to Sandals — has introduced a limited-time Curaçao Futbòl Culture Tour running every Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., throughout June and July.

The half-day tour departs from Sandals Royal Curaçao and includes a visit to Stadion Ergilio Hato (Curaçao’s national stadium), a walking tour through the colorful streets of Willemstad with stops at World Cup celebration murals, and a tasting at the Chobolobo distillery — home of the original Blue Curaçao liqueur — with local guides sharing the island’s football history.

The Future Goals Initiative

Behind the scenes, the Sandals Foundation’s “Future Goals” program — extended through 2028 — is collecting plastic waste and ghost fishing nets from Curaçao’s waters and converting them into soccer goal posts for local elementary schools. The program has recycled 3,800+ pounds of plastic waste, repurposed 2,000+ square feet of ghost fishing nets, created 70 goal posts for schools, and reached 2,400 children across 80% of Curaçao’s primary schools.

The Sweepstakes: Win a Free 5-Day Stay — Enter by April 12

Sandals is running a Vacation Goals: Curaçao Edition Sweepstakes giving one winner a free five-day, four-night all-inclusive stay at Sandals Royal Curaçao for two, plus two complimentary Futbòl Culture Tour tickets.

This is open to anyone — no purchase necessary. If you’ve been considering Sandals Royal Curaçao, this is worth two minutes of your time before the window closes.

About Sandals Royal Curaçao

Sandals Royal Curaçao opened in 2022 as one of the newest and most architecturally distinct properties in the Sandals portfolio. Situated on Santa Barbara Beach on the island’s southern coast, the resort features swim-up suites, overwater bungalows, nine bars, eight restaurants, and Sandals’ signature exchange program. The resort reflects the aesthetic influence of Curaçao’s Dutch-colonial heritage: the pastel-colored architecture, open-air design, and integration of local art and culture are woven throughout the property in a way that feels specific to the island rather than generic Caribbean luxury.

For more on the resort, see our full Sandals Royal Curaçao resort guide.

Steve’s Take

Sandals Royal Curaçao has become one of the more interesting properties in the portfolio precisely because Curaçao itself is so distinct from the typical Caribbean island experience. The Dutch architecture, the diving, the local culture — it feels different from Jamaica or Saint Lucia in a way that appeals to travelers who’ve done the “classic” Caribbean destinations and want something new.

The World Cup angle is smart. For anyone who’s been on the fence about Curaçao, June and July 2026 offer a specific, time-bound reason to go — and the Futbòl Culture Tour is a genuinely cool excursion that you can’t get at any other Sandals property. Plus, that sweepstakes closes April 12. If you haven’t entered, do it today. And if you’re interested in booking Sandals Royal Curaçao for the summer, our team at Pixie Vacations can help — at no cost to you.

Ready to Book Sandals Royal Curaçao?

Our team at Pixie Vacations are Sandals Certified Platinum Elite Advisors. We book Sandals and Beaches resorts at no cost to you and make sure every current promotion is applied to your booking.

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Don’t miss the sweepstakes: Enter by April 12 at sandals.com/vacation-goals-sweepstakes

Related: Sandals Royal Curaçao — Full Resort Guide | Best Sandals Resorts Ranked 2026 | Best Time to Visit Sandals Resorts