BBPA predicts 24.5m pints to be sold during Six Nations matches

11-Mar-2022 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2022 at 11:03 GMT

Welcome boost: BBPA predicts 24.5m pints to be sold in pubs during Six Nations matches for the weekend of 11 March 2022 (Credit: Getty/The Good Brigade)

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The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has estimated 24.5m pints could be sold in UK pubs during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship this weekend (Friday 11 and Saturday 12 March 2022), according to the BBPA’s beer sales volume survey alongside data from CGA.

Based on the fixtures this weekend and potential tournament outcomes, the trade body has estimated UK pubs could receive a boost in sales of an additional 2.6m pints compared to a March weekend with no Six Nations fixtures.

Consumer confidence

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “There’s something quite special about watching live sport on the television in a pub full of atmosphere with friends and family, so it’s great to see consumer confidence on the rise and so many rugby fans planning to watch the Six Nations at their local.”

The boost in beer sales coincides with a recent increase in consumer confidence following the ending of all restrictions last month and, if achieved, the predicted increase in sales of pints could provide the sector with £100m and give HMRC a windfall of £28m from beer duty and VAT.

Fixtures for the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship this weekend includes Wales v France at 8PM on Friday, as well as Italy v Scotland at 2:15pm and England v Ireland at 4:45pm on Saturday with all games available on either the BBC or ITV.

Welcome boost

This comes after data from Matchpint last month confirmed pubs showing Six Nations matches benefitted from increased visits with the first weekend of the tournament increasing footfall by 30% and 17.5m pints served, according to market intelligence company Oxford Partnership.

McClarkin added: “With an exciting set of round 4 fixtures coming up this weekend, the return of the Six Nations will be a welcome boost to our sector as we expect 24.5m pints to be sold.”