It’s coming home… to the pub! Bellingham brace fires England into World Cup semi-finals as pub sales soar 84%

Jude Bellingham’s two-goal heroics against Norway spark huge boost for Britain’s pubs, with extra time estimated to have added a further 10% to sales

Jude Bellingham’s match-winning brace against Norway didn’t just fire England into the semi-finals – it also sparked a huge night for Britain’s pubs, with drinks sales soaring by 84% as fans packed into locals across the country to cheer the Three Lions to victory.

New figures from HEINEKEN UK’s managed operator pubs reveal football fever swept the nation, with food sales also rising by 10% compared with the same time last year, as supporters chose to experience every heart-stopping moment together rather than watching at home.

As kick-off approached, pubs began filling fast, with sales gathering pace from 7pm before reaching a spectacular peak at 10pm, when drinks sales were 241% higher than the same time last year.

The drama of extra time proved to be a winner for pubs too, delivering an estimated additional 10% uplift in sales as supporters stayed for every nail-biting minute before erupting at the final whistle.

Beer and cider were flowing throughout the evening. Lager proved the biggest winner, with sales soaring 86% compared with the equivalent fixture last year, while stout sales climbed 80% and cider was up 76%.

Although a Spanish beer, it was Cruzcampo that saw sales rocket the most by incredible 102%, showing that when it came to celebrating an England win, supporters were more focused on the occasion than the country of origin of their beer.

Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director of Star Pubs, said: "There are few places that can match the atmosphere of a pub when England are playing. Last night showed exactly why pubs remain at the heart of our communities. They bring people together to share the tension, the excitement and the unforgettable moments that become part of our national story.

"From the roar that greeted Jude Bellingham’s goals to the celebrations at the final whistle, pubs were packed with people sharing an experience that simply can’t be recreated at home. Whether you’re with family, friends or complete strangers, everyone celebrates as one.

"Nights like this are a welcome boost for pubs and their teams, but they also remind us of the unique role they play in bringing people together during moments of national importance. With England now through to the World Cup semi-finals, we’re looking forward to welcoming fans back to cheer the team on once again."

With England now just one win away from a place in the World Cup Final, pubs across the country will be hoping supporters once again choose to come together to create the electric atmosphere that only the great British pub can provide.

About HEINEKEN UK:

Headquartered in Edinburgh, HEINEKEN is the UK’s leading pub, cider and beer business. The company owns around 2,400 pubs as part of its Star Pubs business and employs around 2,100 people. We are passionate about our cider and beer brands and the outstanding service that we offer to our customers. Our unrivalled portfolio of brands includes, Heineken®, Foster’s, Strongbow, Cruzcampo, John Smith’s, Inch’s Cider, Amstel, Birra Moretti and Old Mout, backed by a full range of niche and specialty brands. HEINEKEN also owns Beavertown and Brixton Brewery. HEINEKEN also has a range of alcohol-free products that include the largest alcohol-free beer in the UK, Heineken 0.0, Birra Moretti Zero, Inch’s Cider 0.0, and alcohol-free Old Mout cider variants.

For more information:

Joanna Dring (she/her)

Head of External Communications, Corporate Affairs, HEINEKEN UK Limited

joanna.dring@heineken.co.uk

07788369161

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