With the World Cup kicking off on Thursday, football fans in Britain are facing a bitter blow as the price of a pint has soared by 36 per cent since the last tournament in 2022. According to new figures, the average cost of a beer has risen by nearly £1.50, from around £3.02 to £4.52, far outpacing the overall inflation rate of 16 per cent over the same period.
Pint Prices Across the UK
Data from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveals that Oxford is the most expensive city for a pint at £6.75, almost 25p more than the average in London. Millions of fans are expected to flock to pubs over the next six weeks to support England and Scotland, but they will be paying significantly more than when Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022.
Impact on Fans and Pubs
Despite the higher costs, fans back home are still getting a better deal than those who have travelled to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the tournament. One supporter shared a photo from a warm-up match in the US showing an $18 premium large beer, equivalent to about £13.50.
Pubs could serve an extra 55 million pints this summer if England makes it to the final, with each venue selling an additional 1,240 pints or 14 kegs. However, the hospitality sector continues to struggle under tax hikes and rising costs, with around two pubs closing each day in the first three months of this year.
Industry Concerns
The BBPA warned that these closures equate to the loss of about 2,400 jobs, particularly affecting younger workers. In the first quarter of the year, 161 pubs closed across Britain, a 26 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The government introduced a 15 per cent business rates relief for pubs and music venues last month, but measures from the November budget, including a rise in the minimum wage, have added to cost pressures.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs. For too many, the sheer weight of taxes and regulatory costs have forced them to shut up shop, which will only hurt communities, workers, and the wider economy.”
