The Euros are set to be a big winner for pubs, with 14.4million football fans expected to flock to their local boozers.
Industry chiefs estimate 300 million pints will be served during the tournament and together with those watching with a beer at home, experts reckon it could give the UK economy a near £2.8billion boost.
Scotland kick off the party next Friday with their tough opening game against hosts Germany. And two days later, England take on Serbia – with pubs and bars expecting big crowds and some venues already fully booked.
Many pubs will be hoping both teams have a storming tournament to keep the tills ringing after a tough time with energy bills, business rates and changing customer habits.
Savings website Vouchercodes.co.uk estimates that nearly half the UK population will tune in to watch the Euros – some 35.4million. It calculates they will spend £2.75bn, surpassing the £2bn spent during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Widow brings pillow with late husband's face on it to pub every New Year's Eve
An image shows The New Crown - now in Iserlohn near Dortmund, Germany (The New Crown / SWNS)The site says favourable kick-off times and the summer weather means fans are set to spend £613.7million in hospitality venues. Publicans are pulling out the stops with garden fan zones, giant screens and competitions. Jackie Fairburn, who runs The Hare & Hounds in West Ardsley, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: “This tournament is going to give a boost to all pubs.”
Michael Kill, head of trade body the Night Time Industries Association, said: “Major events like the Euros not only bring people together but also encourage them to stay out longer.”
It comes as a pub owner transported his boozer to Germany in the hope of hosting thirsty England fans. Paul Moss, 52, stripped fixtures and fittings from The New Crown in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, and shipped them to Iserlohn, near Dortmund. He said: “It would be the optimum scenario to get a few hundred supporters in each game.”
Nick Pring, co-founder of London-focused Urban Pubs and Bars, insisted pubs had a big advantage over watching games at home: “You can sum it up with one word: atmosphere.”
Clive Chesser, chief executive of industry giant Punch Pubs, predicts a “big boost” from the tournament. “Last Christmas was exceptional for us and showed there was huge pent-up demand, and I think we’ll see a similar thing for the football,” he said.
Chris Jowsey, head of Admiral Taverns, which has 1,400 locals, said: “it will be very positive.” Many pubs will be hoping England - and Scotland - have a storming tournament to keep the tills ringing after a torrid time with soaring energy bills, business rates and changing customer habits.
The BBPA said at least 500 pubs closed their doors for good in 2023. Vouchercodes reckons supermarkets and other retailers will net the biggest Euros prize, with fans spending £2.1million on food and drink to watch games at home on their own or with mates.
Tim Martin, founder of pub giant JD wetherspoons>Wetherspoon, said: “Supermarkets have a tax advantage paying no VAT on food sales and much lower business rates per pint. They use the tax break to promote beer during sporting events like the Euros, encouraging people to watch at home rather than in pubs.”
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