World Cup Final to Generate £114m for UK Economy

• World Cup final to generate £114m for the UK economy following England’s exit

• Retail to lose out on £267m in sales

• Consumers to spend £109m less at hospitality venues compared to an England final 

Following England’s exit from the World Cup last night, the retail and hospitality industries are set to lose out on a combined £334m, according to the latest forecasts. 

The 2026 World Cup Spending Report by VoucherCodes.co.uk, predicted a £454m windfall for the UK economy if England made it through to the final, but after an early knock-out by Argentina, estimates have been revised to just £114m. 

With England now out of the tournament, fans will be downgrading their viewings to more low-key experiences, switching a wild night at the pub for an early night on the sofa. This comes as especially bad news for the hospitality industry which can expect to see visitor numbers fall by 4.2m from 6.9m to 2.7m, and spend drop by £109.1m from £142.6m to just £33.5m. 

The retail sector is also predicted to lose out on sales, with forecasts dropping by £267.4m from £348.2m to £80.8m. This comes from Brits choosing to turn off the TV, as home viewership is set to drop from 15m to 11.3m, following England’s departure.  

Moji Oshisanya, Chief Commercial Officer at VoucherCodes.co.uk, comments: “While England won’t be bringing football home this year, it’s still astounding to see just how much of an economic boost events like the World Cup can bring to the UK. 

“As the head of an affiliate marketing business, the World Cup is always one of my favourite events as there’s so many exciting and innovative marketing campaigns out there. It’s a great opportunity for brands to try something new, whether that’s launching a viral brand campaign or collaborating with an affiliate for the first time. It’s often these moments that generate a growth in customer loyalty or build ongoing partnerships that last beyond the tournament.”

Source : VoucherCodes.co.uk

Image : Freer / shutterstock / 2657999637

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