Fans will blow an incredible £499 million on booze watching the last-32 World Cup knockout games, according to data from retail analysts VoucherCodes. Germany’s shock penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay triggered an ‘anybody-could-go-out’ football frenzy, and the added excitement of knockout matches sparked a 35% surge in spending compared to group games.
England Match Drives Spending
With England riding high off the back of their 2-0 win against Panama, Three Lions’ fans will splash out £341 million alone on their next Rumble In The Jungle showdown against the DR Congo Leopards. A VoucherCodes spokesman said: “Football fever is officially sweeping the nation with a whopping 19 million football fans expected to tune into the Round of 32 - more than the entire Group Stage.”
The data reveals that 19 million Brits will tune into Round of 32 matches, generating £3.8 billion for the UK economy from retail and hospitality sales. The spokesman added: “Brits will blow £499m over the first knock-out stage, averaging an impressive £31m per match. This marks a 35% rise versus the group stage. The Round of 32 forms part of a colossal £3.8bn expected to be splurged across the entire tournament.”
Home Viewing and Retail Boom
With matches airing between 6pm and 2am, Brits are turning their living rooms into fan zones as 16.6 million people plan to tune in from home, triggering a retail boom of £395 million - equating to £25m per match. Supermarkets are set to do especially well, with a forecast £249 million going on food and drink, while electricals (£55m), sportswear (£42m), garden items (£21m), merch (£19m), and other watch-party essentials will also be popular.
“But it’s not just retailers who are raking it in,” said the spokesman. “Two-fifths of fans - 7.3 million punters - will head through pub doors to watch the games. Thirsty football fans will inject £104.1m into hospitality venues, stuffing themselves with half-time food and drink.”
England vs DR Congo Specifics
Delving into England’s next showdown against the DRC, both retailers and hospitality venues will see a bump in sales. With a Wednesday 5pm kickoff, the match will see 3.5 million people watch from their local pubs and bars, while 11.2 million will watch from the comfort of their sofa. As a result, Brits are expected to spend £276.3m in retail stores, with the large majority going towards snacks and drinks. A more modest £64.8m will go to the hospitality sector from fans dashing to the pubs post-work.
The company’s savings expert Clair Hughes said: “As England make their way through the tournament, spending is on the up. Driven by rising excitement, fans are becoming increasingly willing to part with their cash, splashing out on at-home celebrations and trips to their local pub or beer garden to cheer on the Three Lions. With more than three weeks left to go until the final, fans will need to pace themselves to keep both energy and cash in reserve for when England inevitably makes it all the way to the final.”
