FANS’ £2BN WORLD CUP BOOZE-UP
Brits launch party of the century
FOOTBALL fans are set to blow £2billion on booze as excitement over the World Cup hits fever pitch.
Fun-loving Brits will sink an incredible 200million pints in pubs and bars during the month-long sporting bonanza.
WORLD Cup fever has gripped the nation with a record £3billion set to be spent on booze and bets throughout the tournament.
Fans will enjoy a knees-up over the next month in pubs and at home as they neck more than 200million pints.
A record £2bn haul will be triggered by afternoon kick-offs – with yesterday’s France versus Australia clash starting at 11am – convincing fans to start boozing early and keep drinking throughout the evening games. Industry chiefs the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) say numbers are well up because the 2014 tournament in Brazil had much later kick-off times, while England were knocked out after only two games. Spending data showed that 170million pints more than usual will be downed at home with the sofa spree earning the trade £650m, while the pubs will pocket £1.2bn.
Three Lions supporters are set to head to the bars early tomorrow for England’s game against Tunisia. Thirsty fans will bask in sunshine as a heatwave is set to hit the UK this week, with the hottest day of the year expected on Tuesday.
A BBPA spokesman said: “This World Cup will be better for the trade than previous ones. “Pubs and supermarkets will be boosted by favourable times for World Cup games. “Early kick-offs will help the trade and there has been an increase in beer prices.
“And if England steamroller a team, excitement will build and more beer will be getting drunk. England progressing from the group would mean a lot more drinking.”
Meanwhile, British bookies are set to pocket £1bn over the course of the tournament.
But if Gareth Southgate’s side somehow manage to bring the World Cup trophy back home, a tidy sum will be paid back to patriotic punters.
Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: “We’re anticipating a nationwide industry figure of £1bn to be staked by the time the final whistle is blown in Russia next month – smashing past records. It is also worth noting that £150m could be paid out of our back pockets if England somehow go all the way and win it.”
On top of that, workers in the UK have collectively gambled £32.2m through World Cup sweepstakes, according to new research from discount site MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, with eight out of 10 people saying they had picked out a team at work.