Britain’s pubs are preparing for a bumper FA Cup Finals weekend, with up to 14 million people expected to hit the bars across the country and spend an estimated £507m.
According to new research from Carling – the official beer partner of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup – more than half (55%) of Brits plan to watch one or both of this weekend’s finals, with two in five (40%) choosing to do so at a pub, bar or other venue.
Fans heading out for the games are expected to spend on average £35 per person during their visit, delivering a significant boost to pubs and bars nationwide as they capitalise on the sales.
What’s more, 40% of people said they are more likely to go to a pub or bar to watch the Emirates FA Cup final than they would be for a normal league game.
When it comes to matchday drinks, beer was the clear favourite, preferred by 42% of respondents compared to just 10% who chose wine and 6% opting for spirits and mixers.
Lee Willett, Carling Brand Director at Molson Coors Beverage Company, said: “The FA Cup is such a special tournament in both the men and women’s games, and a real key date in England’s sporting calendar. Few things pair better with a blockbuster match than a proper pint, and the numbers back it up. If you’re screening the game, make sure the bar is well-stocked with go-to lagers brands that football fans look for.”
Carling, which became the first brand to sponsor both men’s and women’s FA Cups in 2023, was the lager brand consumers most associated with football in a recent survey by market intelligence firm Pro Quo1. It is also one of the top-selling lagers in the UK on-trade, selling more pints – 290m – in hospitality venues than any other in the year to the end of January 20252.
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