Pubs expecting Rugby World Cup boost

The Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker Report, which surveyed around 4,000 people over the age of 18, found that the pub is the second most popular place to watch the tournament with 12 per cent of people saying that they would prefer to watch it there once it starts on 18 September.

Fiona Gunn, Greene King’s marketing director, said: “Major international sporting events regularly encourage Brits to go to the pub, and the Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker shows that the Rugby World Cup will be no exception.”

Gunn says that as this the first time the tournament has been held in England since 1999 it is likely to “capture the hearts and minds” of the public and that if the home nations do well it could be a “real boost” for British pubs.

Thirty-seven per cent of those surveyed said that they would choose to watch it at home while 10 per cent say that they would watch it round a friend or family member’s home. Just four per cent of respondents would choose to attend a match.

The company’s report also shows that rugby is the second most popular sport to watch at the pub behind football.