New research commissioned by VELO has identified the best places in the UK to secure a seat at the pub for watching summer sport. Doncaster emerged as the top location, while in London, the City of Westminster offers the best chance of finding a spot.
Fans Flock to Pubs for Summer Sport
A poll of 2,000 adults found that 75% plan to watch sport this summer. Fans will spend an average of 21 hours in the pub, consuming around 24 drinks and joining in with 23 songs or chants. Nearly half (47%) will watch tennis, while over a third (34%) will follow Formula 1.
Two-thirds of sports fans will head to the pub to watch an average of nearly seven different events, spending over three hours per visit. With nearly four drinks bought per event, fans expect to spend £83.30 per visit.
Top Locations for Getting a Seat
According to VELO's data, Doncaster is the town where people are most likely to get a seat. In London, the City of Westminster offers the best odds. The research also highlighted that 51% of pub-goers go to watch with friends, family, or other fans, while 49% seek the atmosphere, and 45% say it makes the event feel more special.
Pub Preferences and Behaviours
When choosing a pub, 50% look for a good atmosphere, 48% prioritise a big screen and clear view, and 31% pick somewhere with plenty of seating. On average, fans arrive 31 minutes before kick-off to secure a spot. Over a third (37%) have lost their voice from cheering, 32% jump up and down, 27% sing or chant, 18% share high-fives, and 15% hug nearby fans.
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.”
Sport as a Shared Occasion
For 76% of respondents, watching sport at the pub turns a match into a shared occasion. Ustymenko 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.”
