UK restaurants and pubs see surge as World Cup fuels delivery and bar spending

Restaurant groups in the United Kingdom recorded a 3.3% year‑on‑year rise in at‑home revenue for June, the strongest performance since late 2024, according to NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker. Total delivery sales grew 14.9% in the month, with a 7.5% like‑for‑like increase, while take‑away orders fell 8.1% and have been declining for 15 consecutive months, now accounting for less than a third of delivery value. NIQ’s Karl Chessell noted the tournament “unleashed extra spend from consumers watching games at home” and warned that sustaining these delivery habits will be crucial for the sector.

Payments data from Dojo shows hospitality venues across the UK experienced a 16% month‑on‑month lift in spending during the World Cup, with an average 78% rise compared with a typical Wednesday. Peaks included a 152% increase at the pre‑extra‑time midnight window and a 125% surge after the final whistle. The England‑Norway match drove a 23% rise in full‑day pub spending, while hydration‑break periods saw spikes of up to 204%. Charlie Ashworth of Dojo said the event “has given the hospitality industry a much‑needed boost after a period of prolonged pressure.”