Pubs’ SOS for extra beer forward of marathon 22-hour World Cup session
Landlords fear they will be drunk dry after being open almost all day to screen the England v Mexico last-16 showdown which could rumble on for hours due penalties, extra time and thunderstorms
Fans watch a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Congo DR at BOXPark Wembley(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
Pubs have sent out an SOS for more beer ahead of a marathon World Cup booze bender that could last up to 22 hours. That is how long some bars face staying open so England fans can watch Monday’s early hours last-16 showdown with Mexico.
And landlords are worried they will be drunk dry. They made an urgent plea to brewery bosses to truck in extra supplies ahead of the football-a-thon.
FIFA shelved plans to move the kick-off forward to dodge in-coming thunderstorms at the Estadio Azteca. So the match will start at 1am on Monday as scheduled. With extra-time and penalties it could go on until 4am.
Should lightning strike within eight miles of the stadium play will be halted until storms pass. That could take the game into breakfast.
Sir Keir Starmer has allowed pubs to stay open until 5am for the match. For some that means they will have been serving non-stop since 7am on Sunday – the earliest time most are allowed to open in the UK.
Analysts reckon more than 38 million pints will be supped in England’s longest-ever Sunday session with 13 million battling to stay awake to watch the action.
That would be TV’s biggest post-midnight audience for 41 years since 18.5m tuned into the 1985 World Cup Snooker championship final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis.
More than 500,000 fans are set to watch the match in 6,000 of England’s pubs. Around 20% of the nation’s boozers are expected to use the PM’s special 5am licence extension and stay open for the game.
Fans are expected to neck 17m pints in pubs throughout the day – six million more than normal – with another 21m supped at football house parties, according to British Beer and Pub Association data.
Mike Kill, chief executive officer of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “Operators across the country are focused on making sure they have enough stock from breweries for one of the busiest trading weekends of the year.
“Millions of additional pints will be sold in pubs across the country delivering a significant uplift in beer sales alongside increased spending on food and soft drinks for participating venues.”
The Greedy Banker sports bar in Rainham, Medway, wrote on Facebook: “We are opening late to show the 1am game, with screens everywhere, a banging atmosphere and hopefully a night to remember.”
Ronnie’s Bar, in Hockley, Essex, said: “We’re doing it. A 1am kick off on a Monday morning is ridiculous and absolutely brilliant. We’ll be open, with big England energy.”
But industry sources said many pubs will not show the game due to staff shortages, lack of preparation time and a fear of upsetting their neighbours.
