The triple combination of the knockout stages of Euro 2024, Pride and Glastonbury this weekend are set to deliver a £100 million economic boost.
Millions of people will watch England take on Slovakia in the last 16 of the football tournament, with the game kicking off at 5pm on Sunday.
It is estimated to provide pubs nationwide with a £29 million boost, with fans hoping the team will click into gear after an unconvincing group stage.
Meanwhile, Glastonbury and Pride will add to the carnival atmosphere, with pubs expecting sales up by 20 per cent for each of those, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Wrapping in total spending at hospitality businesses, that means at least a £100 million injection into the economy.
The weather is also set to play its part, with highs of 24C in London on Saturday and 21C on Sunday.
British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin told the Standard: “This month has been particularly busy for the beer and pub sector and this weekend is set to be even more so as people enjoy a refreshing beer while cheering on the England team..., watching Glastonbury, or taking part in the many Pride festivities around the country.”
Pride Day in London is on Saturday with crowds expected to pour into the capital for the annual celebration, which starts at midday at Hyde Park Corner. The march snakes through to Piccadilly Circus, down Haymarket, along Pall Mall, ending at Whitehall Place.
Glastonbury will get into full swing on Friday night when Dua Lipa headlines the main Pyramid Stage, followed by Coldplay tomorrow and Sza on Sunday.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “We’re in the midst of a bumper summer, boosted by the Euros, and the addition of both Glastonbury and Pride this weekend will no doubt see millions spent in hospitality.
“England getting through to the knockout stages of the Euros keeps alive the prospect of an £800 million sales increase for the sector.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “This weekend shows what summer in London is all about as we celebrate our strength through diversity, openness, and inclusion. I’m delighted that London’s LGBTQI+ communities and allies are joining together for our Pride celebrations.
“Thousands of Londoners and visitors will be treated to some of the biggest artists on the planet as amazing live music takes over our parks with an event or festival for every taste. And then we will all come together again on Sunday to roar on the Three Lions.”
Tesco said it expected to sell 33 million packs of beer and cider over the next month but was also predicting it would shift a record 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options.
The Uefa Euro 2024 spending report predicts a UK audience of around 35.4 million, with almost half taking advantage of favourable kick-off times to watch from pubs, bars, restaurants and fan zones. That is in stark contrast to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when 6.7 million watched from local venues.
