A new study by VELO has found that 75% of Brits will be watching sport this summer, with fans spending more than 21 hours in the pub. The poll of 2,000 adults revealed that fans get through around 24 drinks and join in with an average of 23 songs or chants per summer. Almost half (47%) will tune in to watch tennis, while more than a third (34%) will follow Formula 1.
Pub-Going Habits and Spending
Two-thirds of adults into sport will head to the pub to watch an average of nearly seven different events, spending more than three hours there each time. With nearly four drinks bought per event, fans expect to spend £83.30 per visit. The research was commissioned by VELO, which pinpointed the towns where it will be easiest to get a seat. According to its data, Doncaster is the place where people are most likely to get a seat, and in London, the City of Westminster tops the list.
Why Fans Choose the Pub
The study found that 51% of pub-goers head to their local simply to watch with friends, family, or other fans, while 49% go for the atmosphere and 45% say it feels more like an occasion. Others like the bigger screens (30%) and having more food and drink options (18%). In fact, 76% said watching sport with others at their local turns a match into a shared occasion.
When choosing a pub, 50% look for a good atmosphere and 48% prioritise a big screen and clear view, while 31% pick somewhere with plenty of seating. On average, pub-goers arrive 31 minutes before kick-off to secure a spot.
Fan Behaviour and Excitement
It can get loud: 37% said they've lost their voice from cheering or singing at a sporting event, while 32% celebrate by jumping up and down. Others sing or chant (27%), share high-fives (18%), or even hug those nearby (15%).
Alina Ustymenko, a spokesperson for VELO, said: "There's nothing quite like watching sport with a crowd, whether it's belting out a chant, celebrating a score with a high five or pretending you know the rules of F1. The research shows fans are really throwing themselves into a summer of sport, with pubs set to be packed with fans, songs, snacks and hopefully enough seats to go around. Getting there early to claim your seat is going to be key ahead of some of the biggest sporting events of the summer."
She added: "What really stands out is just how much excitement there is for a proper summer of sport down the pub. Turning up early to bag a decent seat, knowing exactly what snacks they will be grabbing and getting ready to cheer on their teams, it's clear fans are treating these matches like a real occasion. Whether they're shouting at the screen, joining in with chants or just soaking up the atmosphere, the pub remains a huge part of how people enjoy sport together."
