World Cup could deliver £7.6bn boost to UK economy – but ‘sickies’ may cost billions

The discount provider estimated that post-match absences and reduced productivity could wipe out 2.5 million working days and cost the economy as much as £875m.

Nearly half of workers aged between 25 and 34 admitted they would call in sick because of a hangover after a late-night match, according to the survey.

The challenge for employers stems partly from the tournament’s timing. Many matches will kick off late in the evening UK time because the World Cup is being hosted across North America, increasing the likelihood of tired workers arriving late or missing work altogether.

(Getty)

For pubs and bars, however, those late-night kick-offs are expected to translate into a bumper summer.

Government licensing rules will allow many pubs to remain open into the early hours during England and Scotland matches, creating what industry leaders hope will be one of the most profitable periods in recent years.

The British Beer and Pub Association estimates that if England reach the final, an additional 55 million pints could be sold during the tournament, equivalent to around 1,240 extra pints for every pub in the country.

Research from Opinium suggests football fans could spend an additional £600m in pubs during the World Cup alone, with younger consumers driving much of the increase.

Nearly three in five Gen Z adults say they expect to watch matches in pubs, compared with less than a third of the population overall. Six in ten also plan to visit pubs multiple times a month over the summer.

Jamie Allsopp, re-founder of Allsopp’s Brewery, said the tournament would provide a much-needed lifeline for venues struggling with rising costs.

“While people pulling sickies to watch the World Cup and hungover staff working from home might not be great news for employers, the drive towards pubs has been sorely needed for the hospitality sector,” he said.

“This is going to be one of the biggest periods ever for pubs, and it comes at a crucial time when VAT has been choking the industry.”

The figures underline a familiar economic reality of major sporting events. While football tournaments can generate billions in consumer spending and provide a significant boost to sectors such as hospitality, travel and leisure, they often do so by diverting spending from elsewhere and disrupting normal working patterns.

Indeed, money.co.uk’s analysis suggests not every industry will emerge as a winner. Retail and wholesale businesses are forecast to suffer a £6.3bn decline in revenue as consumers shift spending towards experiences, food and drink. Broadcast and film businesses are also expected to lose around £650m as audiences focus on football coverage.

For policymakers, the World Cup presents a mixed picture. The tournament could provide a welcome economic lift at a time of weak growth and squeezed consumer confidence, but employers may also find themselves grappling with a summer of absenteeism, late starts and distracted staff.

As England fans dare to dream of another deep run in the competition, Britain’s pubs could be celebrating long before the final whistle. The country’s bosses, however, may be watching the fixture list with considerably less enthusiasm.