England is gearing up for what promises to be the biggest night of the year as they take on Croatia in their first World Cup match. A new survey has revealed which city is expected to be the most fanatical, with Manchester coming out on top.
Millions to Cheer on England
According to the survey, an estimated 22 million people across the country plan to support England when they face Croatia in Texas. With late kick-off times and extended opening hours for pubs, bars, and fan parks, a quarter of fans intend to make the most of the party atmosphere by heading to a pub or fan zone.
Meanwhile, one in five fans will avoid the crowds and watch the game at friends' or relatives' houses, while just over half plan to stay at home. However, almost two-thirds say they will go out to watch at least one match during the tournament, with many expressing greater excitement for this World Cup compared to the last, thanks to its return to a traditional summer schedule after the winter edition in 2022.
Manchester Tops the List
The survey, conducted by taxi and private hire company Veezu, identified the busiest cities across the UK for England's clash with Croatia. Manchester leads the way, with a third of residents planning to head to a pub or fan zone. Sheffield follows closely in second place at 32%, while Cardiff surprisingly comes third, with over 30% of Welsh residents heading out to watch England—though their allegiance remains unconfirmed.
Other cities expecting high numbers of fans include Southampton (29%), Leeds (28%), London (27%), Nottingham and Birmingham (both 26%), and Liverpool (25%).
Confidence in England's Chances
Four in ten of those surveyed believe England will win the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, younger generations are the most confident that football is coming home, perhaps without the burden of past near misses and heartaches. Almost 60% of Millennials and 56% of Gen Z back England to lift the trophy this summer, compared to just 27% of those aged 55 and over.
When asked where they would like to be if England—or the team they support—were to win, four in ten said they do not want to be at home and would prefer to share the moment with others. The pub is the venue of choice for 22% of fans.
A Social Tournament
Like previous tournaments, this summer's World Cup is expected to be a hugely social affair. A quarter of those surveyed said they are most looking forward to socialising with family and friends while watching the matches. Around three in ten adults are also excited about the increased community spirit across the country, while one in five look forward to the 'buzzy atmosphere' in pubs across the UK.
Sally Krouma, a spokesperson for Veezu, said: "The tournament has always been about more than football; it’s about bringing people together. Whether you’re a fan or not, the sense of togetherness the games bring can be celebrated by everyone. As shown by our latest survey, a staggering number of people up and down the country are expected to follow the event, with millions choosing to enjoy the games out and about with others. At Veezu, we champion community spirit, and we’re excited to see our local communities coming together with families, friends, and neighbours sharing moments of passion and pride as they cheer on their home team."
