- 24% have celebrated so wildly they’ve sent food and drink flying – equivalent to an estimated 3.08 million UK pints or 11,600 bathtubs being spilled per game
- 43% have dodged plans so they can watch England fixtures in the pub
- One in three fans consider themselves football experts during tournaments, with 24% believing they could manage England to a competition final from their pub seat
- Top ten rituals of England fans revealed, including wearing the same lucky shirt and sitting in the same spot at the pub
- Stonegate Group launches nationwide challenge to find the loudest pub venue in England and Scotland, in partnership with Heineken
According to new research from Stonegate Group, English fans’ superstitions and mannerisms are alive and well with a host of rituals helping fuel the electric atmosphere sweeping across pubs this summer.
Pub-stool punditry will be a staple this summer, with one in three supporters considering themselves football experts. Some 24% believe they could do a better job of managing England to a major competition final from the comfort of their pub seat, with substitutions (24%), penalty decisions (45%) and tactics (28%) among the most debated topics.
In a clear demonstration of pub popularity, nearly half of England fans (49%) would rather watch World Cup matches in the pub than inside the stadium (33%).
English fans’ passion is undeniable, with the average supporter shouting five to six times at the TV per match and 50% questioning refereeing decisions.
Through joy or despair, nearly half of supporters (49%) admit to shedding a tear during a match – that’s at least 17.6 million tears per match or 35,200 shot glasses full of English tears per game.
Fans also admitted they’re willing to go to extraordinary lengths during tournament season, with 43% confessing they dodged plans so they can watch England World Cup matches in the pub.
But while nerves run high, so too does the sense of togetherness, with supporters revealing that following their rituals will bring luck to the Three Lions and help create the ultimate match-day atmosphere.
English fans’ top 10 match-day rituals are:
- Watching the game with the exact same group of family and friends
- Staying completely silent during the big moments
- Wearing the same lucky shirt and pants for the big games
- Staying off the phone and stopping all messaging during the game
- Going to the same pub for each game
- Following the same specific pre-game routine (food, drink, timing and prep)
- Eating the same “lucky meal”
- Touching or kissing the England badge before each game
- Changing rooms or viewing spots at half time if the game is going badly
- Follow the exact same route to the pub
The initiative encourages fans to cheer as loudly as they can during England’s summer fixtures, with pubs competing live against venues across the country to be crowned the home of the loudest and most passionate supporters.
Speaking about the findings, Kay Bartlett, Chief Marketing Officer at Stonegate Group said: “Football tournaments are all about shared moments, traditions and atmosphere, and there’s nothing quite like watching a huge match and enjoying the experience surrounded by fellow fans in a packed pub. Our Roar of the Nation campaign will allow us to measure the atmosphere in pubs across England and Scotland throughout the World Cup to see where the loudest fans and experiences of the tournament can be enjoyed.”
Craig Woolley, Marketing Activation Director at HEINEKEN UK, added: “Nothing beats the buzz of the pub when our home teams are playing. From the first chant to the final whistle, it’s where fans come together to share the excitement, tension and pure joy of the big occasion – and we can’t wait!”
