PubAid has launched a campaign to shine light on the fundamental role pubs play in sustaining grassroots sports clubs and community wellbeing across the UK.
Daniel Harris, from Riverside Sports Bar, receives PubAid’s Community Sport Hero Award 2025 for Wales from Tonia Antoniazzi MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group
Pubs Power Sport, sponsored by Guinness and Sky Business, will uncover the monetary value pubs raise for sports clubs and initiatives. The campaign builds on the 2019 ‘Pubs and Sport: The Perfect Match’ report that found pubs raised more than £40 million in support of grassroots sports.
Pubs Power Sport will also celebrate the everyday contributions of publicans who power grassroots sport behind the scenes. From sponsoring kits to hosting team meetings, providing food and fundraising events, Britain’s pubs are helping to keep local sport alive and, with it, physical movement, mental wellbeing, and social cohesion in towns and villages nationwide.
“Pubs have long been the beating heart of their communities, and Pubs Power Sport brings their impact on grassroots sport to the forefront,” said PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan.
“This campaign is about showing that behind nearly every local team is a local pub offering space, support and spirit, often with no fanfare. We’re proud to work with Guinness and Sky Business to give pubs the recognition they deserve.”
A full report will be produced as part of Pubs Power Sport, and publicans are encouraged to take part in a short survey to help build the picture of how pubs support sport. By filling it in, they’ll be entered into a prize draw and be in with a chance of winning football tickets courtesy of Guinness and Sky Business.
Complete the survey by clicking here.
