BBPA issues rally call to back Lionesses at the pub
England group games (kick-offs in British Summer Time)
Saturday 22 July – England v Haiti at 10.30am
Friday 28 July – England v Denmark at 10.30am
Tuesday 1 August – England v China at 12pm
The England team, which won the Euros 2022 tournament on home soil last year, will be hoping to turn their continental title into a world-winning one when the action begins in Australia and New Zealand.
The trade body said pubs across the country are gearing up to welcome football fans at all times of day to cheer on England.
It added fans will be well catered for with pubs across the country showing matches and going the extra mile with some opening doors for breakfast and others offering exciting deals and competitions to show their support for the Lionesses as they attempt to go all the way at the tournament.
Some 30 pubs in Greene King’s Urban Bars division will be opening early to show every England game, with each giving away 10 England shirts before the England v Denmark game on Friday 28 July.
Free breakfast butties
Meanwhile, pubs in the operator’s Hungry Horse brand will be giving out free breakfast butties this weekend so fans can cheer England on with a full stomach.
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Pubs are unrivalled in the camaraderie, atmosphere and passion they bring to watching live sport. There’s nowhere better than the local to cheer on the Lionesses.
“We should celebrate the growth of women’s sport in the UK and the Euros-winning England team are spearheading the push towards greater equality in sport, and we're proud that pubs are playing a part in promoting the women's game.
“We're urging people to head to their local to watch England this summer, let’s all get behind the Lionesses to go all the way once again.”
Great atmosphere
Victoria Mavin, who runs the Bellringer and the Pool Dole in Stoke, Staffordshire, said the great atmosphere generated within the Bellringer during the men’s World Cup last year “brought the community together”.
She continued: “It was an obvious decision to show the Women’s World Cup in both of our pubs. Equality in sport has come such a long way in recent years and women’s football, in particular, is great to watch.
“We cannot wait to create a buzz around the event in the coming weeks.”
As well as supporting the women's game, pubs are hopeful the tournament will bring an increase in trade too because last year's Euros provided a 5% boost to pints sales overall, which saw pint sales up 10% during the final in which England beat Germany.
For tips on how to make the most of the tournament, check out this feature recently released by The Morning Advertiser.
