New data from payments company Dojo has revealed spending in hospitality venues during the World Cup increased by 16%, compared with the previous month.
Dojo, payments provider to more than 110,000 hospitality venues across the UK, has analysed spending throughout the tournament. There was a significant uplift in pubs and bars before, during, and after matches. The World Cup also saw an uplift of 9% compared to Euro 2024, when England reached the final.
England versus Norway, on 11th July, drove the biggest uptick, with full-day pub spending increasing by an average of 23% across the UK. The ‘pre-extra time peak’, at midnight, generated the highest overall spending increase of the night, rising 152% higher than the previous week. Spending also shot up by 125% following the final whistle.
The semi-final, versus Argentina on 15th July, also drove one of the biggest spend boosts of the tournament. Pub and bar spending across the UK increased by an average of 78%, compared to a typical Wednesday. Fans began arriving well before kick-off, with the build accelerating sharply from 5pm as every subsequent 10-minute window set a new high for the evening.
Hydration breaks saw peaks throughout the tournament. The second half hydration break saw spend jump by 204% as fans rushed to the bar to calm their nerves while England tried to hold onto their lead. While it wasn’t to be for England again, spending stayed strong and near double typical levels well past the final whistle, remaining up 99% at 11pm. Fans stuck around for around half an hour after full-time for a final commiseration drink before turning in.
England versus Mexico at the Azteca — the delayed 2am kick-off on 6th July — saw a blanket 5am licensing extension. This provided an 11% average spending boost to UK venues. Around a third of UK pubs remained open for this late-night match, with spending reaching its pre-game peak at 1.50am. Transactions actually dipped during the match by 50% as fans were glued to the action.
“The World Cup has given the hospitality industry a much-needed boost after a period of prolonged pressure,” said Charlie Ashworth, head of data and insights at Dojo. “This, in combination with the recent reduction in business rates, is welcome news, and venues will hope people keep coming out to eat and drink as the warm weather continues.”
