World Cup to ‘get pubs out of bother’ as landlords gear up for bumper summer season of sport
Boozers are gearing up for a bumper summer of sport with landlords hoping the World Cup will save them.
They’re preparing for squads of boozy football fans to celebrate all the twists and turns of the tournament inside their watering holes. Landlords are hoping it helps turn to around their fortunes and “get some profit in for a change”.
Paul Hogan, the landlord of the Prince of Wales pub in Brixton Hill, south London, said he hopes to “make a few bob and cover the old bills”. The pub boss, who serves the ‘best pint of Guinness in London’, will take advantage of the later operating hours and plans to be open for all the matches.
The Government has extended match day operating hours to as late as 2am for match so fans can soak up all the coverage from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada. The last major football tournament, Euros 2024, saw Brits guzzle 600 million pints of beer over 33 days. With the World Cup 2026 lasting a few days longer, pubs can expect to draw in even more than the £2.4bn spent at the Euros.
Paul said: “Hopefully it will be able to turn us around and get some profit in for a change. There will definitely be more beer in the cellar.”
“I am indeed excited. Hopefully we will make a few bob and cover the old bills. I’d say it will be a good turnout.
“It’ll all depend how many are going to watch it at home with a six pack or are they going to come out and celebrate.” Paul urged punters to come out and support their local “all day long”.
He said: “Come out and enjoy it. Support your team and we’ll show all matches.” He added: “We’ll be doing food. The kitchen will be fully operational.”
A total of 13 matches will now potentially be included in the national pub licensing hours extension. The Government hopes the move will offer a ‘further boost for hospitality’ by helping ‘drive up revenue and bring fans together to cheer on the home nations’.
‘Fergie Time’ was the extra-extra time rival fans claimed Manchester United ’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson squeezed from referees by tapping his watch on the touchline until his club netted a crucial late goal. Under the expanded opening hours pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open an extra two hours until 1am for round of 32 and last 16 games starting from 5pm to 9pm.
Later kick‑offs – from 9pm up until and including 10pm – will push last orders back to 2am. Extended pub licensing hours already apply to matches kicking off between 8pm and 10pm.
Emma McClarkin, head of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “There really is no better place to enjoy watching a game of football than at your local with friends and other fans.”
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