London football fans are set to spend around £92 million in a weekend bonanza for businesses as England clash with Senegal at the World Cup, experts said on Friday.
They are likely to splurge £64 million on food and drink for home parties as well as merchandise and sportswear.
A further £28 million will be taken in hospitality venues, mainly boosted by an extra million pints pulled, according to data from the VoucherCodes.co.uk website based on spending at previous World Cups .
VoucherCodes.co.uk’s Anita Naik, said: “Despite consumers being increasingly cautious with their money and a winter tournament playing havoc with fans plans, viewing figures remain high.”
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take on the African champions, nicknamed Lions of Teranga, in a “Battle of the Big Cats” from 7pm UK time on Sunday.
A quarter-final place awaits the winner who emerges from Al Khor’s 69,000-seater Al Bayt stadium.
Venues in London will also get a boost because the capital is home to large communities of Americans, Poles, Brazilians, Dutch, Australians, French, Serbians, Portuguese and Ghanaians whose teams play this weekend.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Publicans were hoping for a boost to business during this World Cup.
“So far, the beer has been flowing, and fans have been showing up to cheer on England.
“The tournament has been filling up pubs on days that otherwise might be quieter, and we’re hoping that trend continues in the next couple of weeks.
“It’s been a tough year for our industry, and we know people are feeling the pinch but we’re really hoping fans continue to turn out to support two great British institutions by toasting to the Three Lions at their local pub.
“We’ll be keeping everything crossed this Sunday because when England do well, so do our pubs!”
Across the UK, 19 million TV viewers are expected to tune in to coverage on ITV1 with another three million packed into pubs and bars. In Qatar, around 9,000 England supporters and ex-pats will attend the game.
One of them, sales manager Fiona Thorne, 53, from Sutton, south London, told the Standard: “We’re going to bring the World Cup home — this weekend as our magical run in the desert continues. I hope Southgate plays Marcus Rashford from the start. Whenever he comes on, he makes a difference.”
Her husband Russell Thorne, celebrating his 53rd birthday today, added: “Senegal look like a strong and physical team, but England will win because of their supporters’ army behind them.
“I’m a ‘glass-half-full’ kind of guy, but even I believe Southgate’s team can get to the semis and then the final.
“In the stadiums, England fans have been deafening from the start — non-stop support. I’ve been stood up through the whole thing.”
Senegal’s noisy supporters have been gathering in Doha’s Souq Waqif marketplace since yesterday afternoon. Dressed in colourful green, yellow and red costumes, scores banged drums, sang and chanted that they have nothing to fear from England.
Thomas Concannon, from the Football Supporters’ Association fans’ embassy in Doha, warned fans to be cautious about buying from online touts charging £3,755 for tickets to Sunday’s fixture — 17 times the face value.
Mr Concannon said 3,000 English supporters already had tickets for the World Cup final on December 18.
He added those in Qatar had found the experience “positive”, saying: “The price of beer is one thing for England fans — one of the most common questions we get at the fans’ embassy is ‘where’s there a cheaper beer than £14 or £15 a pint?’ Unfortunately that’s not available… it’s one thing you’ve got to bite the bullet on”.
Meanwhile World Cup legend Pele, 82, thanked well-wishers for sending “good vibes” as he reassured fans his visit to hospital in Brazil was only routine amid fears over his health.
He continues to be treated for colon cancer, after surgery to remove a tumour last year.
