It could mean a potential blow for boozers banking on a bumper boost from the summer tournament as bosses beg for punters
More than half of football fans plan to watch the World Cup from home this summer as pubs battle to get punters in boozers. Supporters blame blocked screens from groups of TV-gazing fans, noisy crowds and pricey rounds for staying in.
It could mean a potential blow for boozers banking on a bumper boost from the summer tournament. A poll by John Lewis found 58% of Brits expect to watch most matches from their sofa instead of heading to packed locals for the late-night games.
More than half also said their own sofa was the best seat in the house when it came to watching England battle for glory on the telly.
Nearly 80% admitted they had missed a key moment while watching football in a pub, with loud punters drowning out commentary and massive queues at the bar ranking among the biggest complaints.
But pub bosses are fighting back and urging fans to give their local another shot. The British Beer and Pub Association has issued new guidance to help pubs across the country put on a winning show for the tournament.
Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The pub has and always will be the home of live sport, and there is no better place to enjoy watching a game of football than at your local with friends and other fans.” Many pubs are hoping for a World Cup windfall to help fend off record closures amid cost of living struggles.
Ministers have confirmed some venues will be allowed to stay open until 2am for knockout clashes during the tournament. The John Lewis survey also revealed football fans are a superstitious bunch, with one in five sticking to rituals like wearing a lucky shirt or sitting in the exact same spot for kick-off.
Retail giant John Lewis has now jokingly “signed” Boston United striker Lenell John-Lewis. Fans famously chant “his name is a shop” from the terraces. Lenell said: “It feels surreal to have heard this chant my whole career and now be signed by the actual John Lewis.”
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