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3rd February 2025

Almost 12 million extra pints expected to be enjoyed during the Six Nations; a £56 million boost to the British beer and pub sector

  • UK pub goers will be paying the highest beer duty than any of the other competing nations in the Six Nations
  • UK will pay three times more in duty than both France and Italy
  • BBPA calling for see further cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average

As the Six Nations kicks off today, new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show that almost 12 million extra pints are expected to be sold.

During the tournament, which begins with France versus Wales, sales are expected to reach a total of 130 million pints drawing in £56 million more than they would have done at this time of year without the Six Nations.

According to recent research by Localis and the BBPA, sports are a prime time to bring people together, with nearly one in two using their local to watch live sports.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Rugby fans know that the best place to watch live sport, if you can’t be in the stadium itself, is down the pub.

“With a predicted extra 12 million pints set to be poured during the tournament, worth an extra £56 million in sales, I encourage anyone wanting to watch the match to head to the pub and support their local.

“However, it is a sad but stark fact that UK pub goers will be paying the highest beer duty than any of the other competing nations in the Six Nations. Whilst we welcome the Government’s acknowledgement of the sector and the cut to draught beer in the last Budget, we need to see further cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average.”

Despite the vast number of pints pulled, UK consumers will pay the highest duty compared to other competing nations. They pay three times more than both France and Italy.

The BBPA is calling on Government to further reduce cuts in beer duty to get closer to the European average.

Not only that, but pubs stand to make just 12p a pint on average and are facing a raft of punishing new rates and fees.

Following the wider Budget announcements, pubs and brewers now face an April cliff edge, when a further £650m extra in costs will begin.

The BBPA urges Government to quickly introduce meaningful business rates reform and phase in new costs so that pubs can thrive and our sector can help deliver their growth mission.”

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

The uplift is the estimated increase in pub beer sales during Six Nations matches compared with typical weekends in February and March where there are no Six Nations fixtures. Turnover without the Six Nations would be estimated to reach up to £569 million.

The UK pays the second-highest duty rate in Europe, with Finland taking first place. The UK pays 12 times more than Spain and Germany.

For a breakdown of how UK beer duty compares to other European countries please see our stats and graph here.

In the Alcohol Duty Review in August 2023, drinks of 3.4% ABV and lower were subjected to lower tax, along with a new draught relief to support pubs.

This led to brewers investing in, and producing, lower strength products and pubs serving these up to customers. This shift in sales resulted in the removal of 100 million alcohol units in just one year.

The reduction of alcohol units is further evidence of the important role industry can play to support public health aims. This follows recent statistics from think tank Localis, supported by the BBPA, which revealed that eight out of ten Brits believe pubs bring people together, and three in four say their local battles loneliness. More information can be found here.

About the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA):

We are the UK’s leading trade association representing pubs and breweries. Our members brew 90% of British beer and own nearly half of UK pubs.

We are the voice of pubs and brewers, offering insight and policy thinking to government, political stakeholders and media alike to help ensure that there is an in-depth understanding of both the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector and the policy solutions to bring about the optimal fiscal and policy framework that will underpin a thriving pub and brewing sector in the UK.


Contact: Press, press@beerandpub.com

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