England fans to buy 14 million extra pints during World Cup

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has predicted that England fans will drink 14 million extra pints at the pub during the World Cup group stages, as the England team faces Tunisia, Panama and Belgium.

The extra number of pints drunk during the World Cup group stages could provide as much as a £42m boost to the economy, with the pub being one of the main benefactors.

With beer duty, the extra tax put on beer in addition to VAT, could see HMRC get an additional £6.3m from beer drinkers and pub-goers watching England.

With the friendly timings of England’s group stage fixtures meaning that the Three Lions will play Tunisia and Belgium in the evenings after work and Panama at the weekend, as well as fewer fans travelling to the tournament itself to catch the games, the pub is set to be the favoured place to watch England’s World Cup matches this summer.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds, said: “When it comes to watching England at the World Cup, only being at the game itself can compare with being in the pub.

“Millions of England fans will be going to the pub to cheer on the team with their friends, which is both great for the local pub and great for the England team. Let’s hope the England team do us proud!”