Millions of UK workers are considering taking time off after World Cup matches, raising concerns about workplace productivity during the tournament – but potentially throwing a lifeline to the UK’s struggling pubs.
Research from brewing firm Allsopp’s found that one in five people in the UK plan to pull a sickie after at least one World Cup match. The figure is equivalent to 6.88 million workers and could result in a £2.4 billion impact on the UK economy. Employers may face challenges as late-night fixtures coincide with normal working hours the following day.
Flexible Working Expectations Rise During Tournament
According to the survey, one in five respondents said they intend to take a sick day after at least one World Cup fixture. If those workers were absent after every England group-stage match, the estimated economic impact could rise to £7.3 billion. Should England progress to the final, the figure could reach £16.9 billion.
The research also found that more than a third (36%) of respondents do not intend to use annual leave to watch the tournament. Instead, they expect to work from home after late nights spent following matches. Nearly half (44%) of respondents believe employers should adopt a more relaxed approach to work start times during the tournament. Among those aged 25-34, support for greater flexibility rises to 65%.
Major sporting events often extend beyond normal routines, creating challenges for workers attempting to balance personal interests with professional responsibilities. For employers, the tournament may present an opportunity to consider how flexible working arrangements can help support employee engagement while maintaining productivity.
Social Connection and Hospitality Sector Set to Benefit
Rather than watching matches at home or travelling to the tournament, 38% of respondents said they would prefer to watch games in a pub with friends. Among those aged 25-34, the figure rises to 52%. The survey suggests that communal experiences remain important, with one in five people (19%) saying they would rather skip a match altogether than watch it alone at home.
The hospitality sector is expected to benefit from increased footfall during the tournament. The British Beer and Pub Association estimates that 55 million additional pints could be sold if England reach the final, representing an average increase of 1,240 pints per venue.
Commenting on the findings, Jamie Allsopp, re-founder of Allsopps, said, “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. This is going to be one of the biggest weekends ever for pubs, and it comes at a crucial time when VAT has been choking the industry and we’ve been calling for fairer rates.
“But what our research really shows is that people don’t just want to watch football – they want to watch it together, in a pub, with their mates. That’s not going anywhere and it’s particularly encouraging to see young people are keeping that spirit alive with their World Cup plans.”