Football fans ‘to buy 50,000 pints a minute’ as England takes on Denmark

England football fans will drink 6.8 million pints tonight (Picture: PA)

England football fans will drink 6.8 million pints during the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark, it has been predicted. 

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) believes punters will buy 50,000 pints a minute over the course of two hours.

Ten million pints could be purchased by the end of the day, as boozy supporters pack out pubs before and after the match.

No matter how Wednesday’s game ends, it will be a roaring success for the hospitality industry which is expected to make a fortune.

On average, a pint in England is £3.69 (£4.44 in London), with figures based on specialist outlet BigHospitality’s analysis from 2019. 

This means England’s beer gardens, pubs, bars and other venues can expect to bring in about £25 million between 8pm and 10pm.

This figure would be even higher if coronavirus restrictions weren’t in place.

It comes after Boris Johnson announced the UK will soon remove nearly all rules – including mask-wearing and social distancing.

 The Prime Minister said: ‘We must be honest with ourselves that if we can’t reopen our society in next few weeks, when we will be helped by arrival of summer and school holidays, then we must ask: “When will be able to return to normal?”.

‘For those who say we have to delay again, the alternative to that is to reopen in winter when the virus will have an advantage or not all this year.’ 

BBPA’s chief executive Emma McClarkin said today: ‘With England fans’ support, we hope that pubs will sell 6.8 million pints during the semi-final match.

Beer gardens, pubs and bars are likely to be packed out with football supporters (Picture: PA)

Boris Johnson has asked football fans to support the Three Lions ‘enthusiastically but responsibly’ (Picture: PA)

Pubs will be able to open longer on Sunday so punters do not get kicked out if the Euro 2020 final goes into extra time (Picture: PA)

‘If the team goes on to win, a final at Wembley awaits, which would be a huge boost to our pubs and the nation.’ 

‘After a long wait, the pubs we love should be restriction-free from July 19. Only when the restrictions are removed can our pubs recover, but to do so they need Government investment to build back better.’

Downing Street has signed off on plans to extend legal opening hours for pubs on Sunday evening, so football fans can continue watching the Euro 2020 final if it goes into extra time.

Mr Johnson has urged the nation to support the Three Lions ‘enthusiastically, but in a responsible way’.

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