Bid to make getting home safely after pub visits

Following the England winning the 2022 Euros, a poll found of 1,350 female football fans, 57% are more likely to head out to a pub to watch a match, the study, commissioned by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I (BBG) and conducted via OnePoll.com discovered.

Shortly before the current Women’s World Cup kicked off, 79% believed another successful tournament for the Lionesses will empower even more women to watch more football at stadiums and in pubs.

Despite widespread excitement about the tournament and the England team, one in three UK female football fans have avoided cheering their team on – because they are worried about their safety heading home at full time.

Apprehension shown​

The poll cited widespread apprehension by women about their onward journey after watching a match in a pub or stadium.

To alleviate such fears, BBG has partnered with personal safety app WalkSafe, an app that marks out a map for users so they can take a safe route home leveraging police data and safety information like taxi rank and police locations.

Some 51% of those surveyed have avoided watching evening games so they don’t have to walk home in the dark. For 59%, there are concerns about the large crowds that congregate after matches. 

The survey also showed 63% won’t let safety concerns diminish their love of football, while 62% have managed to make new friends because of their shared passion for the sport.

Major concern​

BBG president Brian Perkins said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a football match and not worry about getting home safely at the final whistle.

“But as the research shows, it is still a major concern for a significant number of female fans who simply want to cheer on their team. We want to empower people to enjoy the game and get home safely.”

WalkSafe founder Emma Kay added: “An exciting summer of sport is already well under way and with the incredible achievements of the Lionesses and a raft of other inspirational sportswomen, it’s no surprise more and more want to support these stars in pubs and stadiums.

“But as many have unfortunately discovered, getting back following the events isn’t always the most hospitable environment.”