A new survey has identified Manchester as the city set to be the busiest for England's opening World Cup match against Croatia on June 17. The study, conducted by taxi and private hire firm Veezu, estimates that 22 million people across the UK will be cheering on the Three Lions.
Where Fans Will Watch
With late kick-off times and extended pub hours, a quarter of fans plan to head to pubs or fan zones. One in five will avoid crowds by watching at friends' or relatives' homes, while just over half will stay home. However, nearly two-thirds will go out for at least one game, with many more excited than for the 2022 winter tournament.
Top Cities for Fan Activity
- Manchester: 33% heading to pubs or fan zones
- Sheffield: 32%
- Cardiff: over 30% (though allegiance unclear)
- Southampton: 29%
- Leeds: 28%
- London: 27%
- Nottingham and Birmingham: 26% each
- Liverpool: 25%
Optimism and Social Spirit
Four in ten fans believe England will win the World Cup, with younger generations most confident: 60% of Millennials and 56% of Gen Z, compared to 27% of those over 55. If England wins, 40% want to share the moment, with 22% choosing a pub. A quarter look forward to socialising, while 30% anticipate increased community spirit.
Sally Krouma, Veezu spokesperson, said: "The tournament brings people together. Millions will enjoy games out and about, and we're excited to see communities sharing moments of passion and pride."
