World Cup Special: The unmissable games

Related tags World cup Fifa world cup

No breakfast-time kick-offs as with 2002 in Japan/South Korea - just about every game is being played at a plum time to pull in the punters. But...

No breakfast-time kick-offs as with 2002 in Japan/South Korea - just about every game is being played at a plum time to pull in the punters. But which are the cherries to pick?

Official FIFA World Cup 2010 fixtures

England games are obviously going to be the biggest draw. Even if - God forbid - the team were to fall at the first hurdle we're guaranteed at least three of them. Many operators have expressed unhappiness that England's first two matches take place on a Saturday and a Friday evening when many pubs would normally be full anyway.

However, there are a number of opportunities to increase trade - and a few pitfalls to avoid.

England v USA - Saturday June 12, 7.30pm, ITV

• Contact any US firms or colleges based in your area and hire out your function room. Offer a finger-food menu plus American beers and wines. Deck out the room in stars 'n'' stripes.

• Watch your numbers. If you're offering table service during the match, your best bet might be a door policy to limit numbers so that customers can enjoy the game and staff can move around easily. This will limit the half-time rush at the bar and keep the drinks flowing for the whole 90 minutes.

• Think outside the pub. The technology now exists to allow pubs to screen matches outdoors - opening up all kinds of possibilities for barbecues and freeing up space in the bar.

• Build the atmosphere. Start your event at 5pm - or even hold an all-day barbecue.

• Keep the customers in afterwards. Saturday is a good night for live music, so book your band now.

England v Algeria - Friday, June 18, 7.30pm, ITV

Another weekend evening - but with a few differences.

• Get people in straight after work. Build up the demob-happy World Cup-following crowds with special after-work parties in advance of the game.

• If you want themed food, have a look at www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Algeria - there are several ideas for a tasty barbecue.

• Look at www.kickitout.org, the Kick Racism out of Football website. It contains background materials on the different countries playing in the competition - history, culture, food ideas and so on. Kick Racism out of Football spokesman Danny Lynch says: "Without lecturing or hectoring, the World Cup is a chance to learn a bit more about the participating countries, and educational displays can help to undercut any potential problems in key matches, such as England v Algeria."

England v Slovenia - Wednesday, June 23, 3pm, BBC

The final group games will determine whether England qualify, and if they do, their opponents in the first knockout stage.

• Start spreading the word among customers who occupy management positions in their workplaces. Get them to give their staff time off to attend your pub's Wednesday World Cup party.

• The match will kick off simultaneously with USA v Algeria - the final game in England's Group C. As the result may determine England's fortunes, try to have at least one screen focused on that game.

• Keep people in the pub afterwards by publicising the final Group D games. These will decide who England play in the second round - Germany, Australia, Ghana or Serbia. This is a good chance to promote beers such as Beck's, Foster's, Erdinger or Cooper's Ale, and theme barbecues along Aussie or German lines.

• Many workers won't get time off for the whole game, so get ready for numbers to swell as the game goes on beyond 5pm, when many staff clock off.

Knockout matches

We're speculating now, but highlights could include:

• England v Germany

• England v Australia

• Argentina v France

• Brazil v Spain

• Portugal v Spain

Follow a fan

Are any of the regulars from your pub actually going to South Africa?

If so, ask them to send you regular tweets and Facebook messages to give your customers a real-time, eyewitness view of the event from their friend's perspective.

Get your World Cup wallchart

A number are downloadable online. Computerised versions can be updated as results come in and displayed on pub screens if you have the technology.

Sweepstakes

Put the 32 countries in a hat and raise charity cash. Alternatively, use players' names and run a Golden Boot competition.

Great pub but don't do football?

Use the event to screen selected games to showcase your excellent food and service to a new audience. You could be empty otherwise.

Hate football?

Advertise your pub as the place to avoid the whole thing!