England fans at World Cup fan parks have embraced a new celebration: tossing their pints in the air whenever the Three Lions score. The trend has gone viral on social media, but it leaves many supporters soaked in beer.
Fan Parks Transform the Viewing Experience
Outdoor fan parks have become the go-to destination for football enthusiasts wanting to watch matches with hundreds or thousands of fellow supporters. Philippe Chiarella, chief executive of The Garden Vauxhall in London, which hosts up to 1,500 fans, describes the atmosphere as 'a beast but we're ready for it.'
The spontaneous pint-tossing celebrations have become a hallmark of England games. 'I've been drenched by beer,' Chiarella says. 'It's a bit of a nightmare because everything gets sticky and horrible.' He notes that the clean-up is manageable 'because most of it lands on people not on the floor.'
Mixed Reactions from Fans
While many see the pint toss as an expression of euphoria, others are less enthusiastic. Comedian Jacob Hawley, who watched England's game against Croatia at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, says the first beer was tossed after Harry Kane missed a penalty. 'I'm dodging pints and it's not even gone in,' he recalls. By the end of the match, he was 'drenched,' and his friend wearing denim had to leave early. 'I don't want to be soaked in beer all night,' Hawley says. 'I don't want to smell of beer when I drop my kids off at school the next day.'
Logistical Challenges for Venues
With scorching heat and high demand for beer, securing supplies has been challenging. Chiarella says that during a heatwave last month, 'ice supplies in London were running out.' Despite the difficulties, venues manage to keep operations running.
Marcus Alexander, an assistant director supporting Spain, experienced the trend at the Champions League final in Budapest. 'When we scored in the first five minutes, my bag was drenched. The person sitting next to me was drenched too and she wasn't happy,' he says. He believes the tradition is unique to England fans, noting that 'most European fans like to keep their drinks.'
A Sign of Scoring Success
Despite the mess, many accept the pint tossing as a sign that England is scoring. Deepak Agarwal, junior manager at The Garden, says, 'We don't mind cleaning the garden, it's part of our job and we want people to have a good time.'
