The price of a pint in UK pubs has soared by 36% since the last World Cup, outstripping inflation by more than double. With millions of England and Scotland fans expected to pack into pubs over the next six weeks, many will be nursing more than just disappointment if their team loses – they’ll be paying, on average, £5.01 for a pint.
Four years ago, when Harry Kane led England out in Qatar 2022, the same pint cost £4.03. Now, according to the latest official statistics for 2025, it has topped £5.01 – an increase of about £1.50. Overall inflation over the same period was around 16%, meaning beer has risen more than twice as fast as everyday goods.
“UK pint prices have surged 36% since the last World Cup, now averaging £5.01.”
“Everything’s gone up,” said Ronnie Freeman, who runs the Industry sports bar on Gloucester Road in Bristol with his brother Nathan. “Everything going into the pint has gone up, to be honest with you.”
The Freemans’ bar was packed for England’s World Cup campaign in 2022. “It’s a big deal for us,” Nathan said. “The place will be rammed, the bar will be busy, we just need England to put on a good run for us – quarter-finals at least.”
But since 2024, when Gareth Southgate coached his last match after the European Championships, the brothers have faced a cascade of rising costs. First, recovering from the Covid pandemic. Then the spike in energy bills triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Then the Chancellor raised national insurance contributions on their staff, widening the net to capture virtually every part-time bar worker.
“Every hurdle we’ve jumped, there’s been something else round the corner waiting for us,” Nathan explained.
Like a striker weaving through defenders, the brothers have had to dodge and weave to stay upright. That has meant tough decisions. “We’ve streamlined a little bit, the kitchen’s taken a hit,” Ronnie said. “We’ve wound down our kitchen, it was natural for us to cut that and focus on what is front runner for the business, which is drinks sales.”
Across the country, two pubs are closing every day, according to the industry body, the British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA). “The cost of doing business for our pubs and breweries is going ever upwards,” said Emma McClarkin, the BPPA’s chief executive. As their costs rise, so the prices they charge have gone up.
Back in 2006, when David Beckham led England in Germany, drowning sorrows after a penalty shootout defeat to Portugal cost just £2.41 a pint. By Qatar 2022, it had reached £4.03. Now, at £5.01, the upward march shows no sign of stopping. “Since then a pint has added at least 50p,” Ronnie Freeman said.
With the World Cup kicking off, fans may be wondering just how much further the price will climb.