Football viewing now a game of two halves
Whether you follow your team at home or in your local sports pub, Premier League football does not come for free.
More than four out of 10 football fans typically watch their team’s televised games at the pub rather than at home, but what they save on a tV sports package they may spend on food and drinks instead.
the average fan spends £30 on food and drinks watching their team down the pub, around a tenner more than they typically spend at home. Arsenal fans who have watched all 18 of their televised matches at a pub would have spent almost £600 this season, around £225 more than those watching at home.
Vix Leyton, consumer expert at BroadbandChoices.co.uk, said it can be expensive going to the pub to cheer on top teams such as Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea, who have featured 17 or 18 times this season: “Watching from your sofa guarantees you the best seat in the house and could save you money.”
Fans of less fancied clubs are under less financial strain, with broadcasters showing just five games featuring Watford, while Swansea and Burnley also rarely appear.
While armchair fans spend less on drinks and snacks they have to fund their subscription for a tV package such as Sky Sports and Bt Sport.
Sky’s complete sports bundle package, with unlimited broadband and access to all Sky Sports channels, costs £60 a month for a year, totalling £720.
Once you include those costs, the pub starts to look a little better value.