Pubs and restaurants could serve a bumper 55million extra pints if England go all the way to the final of the World Cup, which is being held across the US, Canada and Mexico
Pub bosses are looking forward to a ‘Super Saturday’ as England take on Panama at the World Cup.
Industry experts predict pubs and restaurants could serve a bumper 55million extra pints if the Three Lions go all the way to the final. That would equate to around £275million in takings across the tournament’s 39 days.
The British Beer and Pub Association said London pubs alone served an extra 144 pints each during the England v Ghana game, totalling around 500,000 pints and £2.5m in extra revenue.
But the match on Saturday will see a bumper turn out across the UK because of the warm weather – and the fact that millions of fans do not have to get up for work on Sunday morning.
Extended licensing hours until at least 1am for group matches are helping venues capitalise on late US kick-off times.
Despite this boost, the sector continues to face closures due to high operating costs and changing drinking habits, with the Mirror supporting the industry in our ‘Your Pub Needs You’ campaign.
The head of UK Football Policing praised the ‘incredible’ England fans for their exemplary behaviour at the World Cup.
Around 30,000 Three Lions supporters made the trip to the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, where England drew 0-0 with Ghana in their second group match.
UK officers confirmed that the match passed without any incidents or arrests of British nationals, praising their “incredible support” for the team.
Local bar owners and authorities also praised the Scotland fans who flocked to the city for their matches against Haiti and Morocco.
As it stands, England, sitting top of Group L, and Scotland, third in Group C, are on course to meet in the last 16 in Mexico City on July 6.
But that could change depending on results in their final group matches against Panama and Brazil. Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, said: “The behaviour of England fans both before, during and after the match, was excellent and was a repeat of the picture in Dallas.
“The local police were very complimentary of them with Chief Grace of Foxborough Police, calling their behaviour ‘exemplary’. There really has been a great atmosphere throughout the city, which has been very welcoming.
“Officers here in Boston and Foxborough have been fantastic to work with, firm but fair and have really contributed to everyone having a memorable experience.”
The players were comforted by their WAGs on the final whistle. Harry Kane and his squad struggled against their African opponents, ranked 65th in the world.
Kane, 32, squandered a late chance to break the deadlock, blazing the ball over the crossbar.
Thomas Tuchel said he would normally score ’99 times out of 100′ in that situation.
Three Lions voiced their frustration at the ‘bore draw’, chanting: ‘Do you know how much we’ve spent’ as the rain came down.
Among those in the crowd at the Boston Stadium was Jordan Pickford’s wife, Megan, 30, who kissed the goalkeeper after the game.
The WAGS hugged and kissed their partners on the final whistle.
It means England need to beat Panama on Saturday to guarantee going through top of the group.
And that will be a huge boost for pubs, bars and restaurants across the UK.
Emma McClarkin the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “We need the Government to rethink the operating landscape for pubs, with a cut to beer duty greatly improving affordability for the sector.”
In Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, venues such as The Fire Station fanzone are screening England’s group matches with entertainment including DJs, quizzes, and themed food.
In Blackpool, seafront pubs, sports bars, and fanzones are offering matchday activities.
Allen Simpson, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, said: “The pub is the best place to watch the World Cup, outside of being at the games themselves, and England and Scotland games typically deliver a sales boost of up to 42% on matchdays.
“Pub bookings for the first England game are up 184% year-on-year so I expect our locals to be heaving with fans during this summer of sport.
“The tournament promises to give pubs a boost at a time when they need it the most.” For all hospitality venues, match bookings were up 98% for our first game against Croatia compared to the same date in 2025.
Analysis of transaction insight from Euro 2024 by UKHospitality’s data partner Reward showed the year-on-year sales uplift for England group games was 42%.
