Skip to content

Watching the Football with a Couple of Pints at the Pub will save UK fans money

John Stirzaker·Feb 11, 2020

According to many British footy fans, the cost of following the beautiful game in this country is spiralling out of control.

When ever-increasing football TV deals are signed worth billions of pounds, clubs can splash the cash in the transfer market and hand out multi-million pound contracts to star players like England captain Harry Kane, Manchester United’s record signing Paul Pogba and £75 million Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk.

Top managers including José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti also draw in huge TV audiences across the UK.

But it doesn’t help fans finances. Sky Q HD with sports costs £40 a month and BT sports will set you back another £29.99, totalling £69.99 – or £839.88 over a year – with Amazon Prime, Premier Sports and the BBC license fee also required for full football coverage at home.

Our money saving specialists here at NetVoucherCodes have come up with a solution though, that will allow supporters to watch Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool march to the Premier League title, see the drama of the Championship promotion race unfold and soak up the spectacle of the UEFA Champions League, all while reducing your spending – go to the pub.

Many football followers enjoy the social atmosphere of watching with likeminded friends and family at the pub on special occasions, such as cup games and local derbies, but wrongly think it’s cheaper to watch most games at home.

But taking the average cost of a pint across England, Wales and Scotland, we’ve crunched the numbers and found that cheering on your favourite team with fellow fans and a couple of pints in hand is cheaper than tuning in from your sofa at home.

Pubs tend to show as many matches as they can to draw in custom, but football supporters can typically watch up to two big games a week at their local and still be quids in.

A pint of beer costs £3.77 on average across the UK, so having a drink in each half of a big European game midweek and then during your team’s game at the weekend will cost £60.27 per month (£7.54 per game x 8) – or £9.72 less than monthly Sky and BT subscriptions at home.

In parts of the country serving cheaper beer, such as Herefordshire and Shropshire (£3.48 and £3.46 a pint respectively), the saving rises to well over £14 per month.

Fans in the footballing hotbed of Yorkshire would save £13.51 by our calculation, whilst Welsh supporters would find an extra £12.07 in their pockets at the end of the month.

Even football followers based in the heart of London, which is the priciest part of the country at £4.57 per pint of beer on average, could watch seven games per month at the pub for less than the price of signing up to Sky and BT sports channels.

Watching four matches per month, meanwhile, could save more casual football fans in the UK £39.83 on average per month and give them the funds to celebrate or drown their sorrows after important fixtures.

Neutrals can also enjoy watching the best footballers on the planet at the pub, without the contractual commitment of home subscriptions – including Cristiano Ronaldo at reigning Italian champions Juventus and Lionel Messi at the current Spanish title holders Barcelona.

Canny fans who want to avoid the pub can save cash by streaming games with a Now TV pass with access to Sky Sports coming in at £33.99 per month.

See here for our full data:


Full Data correct as of 07/02/2020

The Best and Most Affordable UK Christmas Market Getaways

The Best and Most Affordable UK Christmas Market Getaways

Nov 30, 2023

Planning a festive getaway this December? To help you out, we’ve calculated the costs of a one-night stay at six of the UK’s most popular Christmas markets. As the festive season kicks in, thousands across the UK get in the Christmas spirit by visiting Christmas markets located all around the country. From tasty German bites […]

Black Friday: Find the Best Deals on High-Value Products

Black Friday: Find the Best Deals on High-Value Products

Oct 19, 2023

Are you on the hunt for some mega deals this Black Friday? Read our guide to find the top products to look out for. Black Friday is prime time to get huge discounts on big-ticket items you’ve been eyeing all year. With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s also the ideal chance to […]

Celebrate Spooky Season without Breaking the Bank: Halloween on a Budget

Celebrate Spooky Season without Breaking the Bank: Halloween on a Budget

Oct 19, 2023

Halloween is almost here and it’s time to make the most of the chills and thrills that come with the spooky season. Whether you’re planning a low-key fright fest or gearing up for a ghoulish celebration, we’ve got the ultimate Halloween shopping guide to help you prepare. From spine-tingling costumes to creepy party essentials, you […]

Festive Finds: Your Budget-Friendly Christmas Travel and Shopping Guide

Festive Finds: Your Budget-Friendly Christmas Travel and Shopping Guide

Oct 19, 2023

We’re barely through October, and already the ‘C-word’ is sneaking its way into office chit chat and radio jingles. Shops are decked out with trinkets & chocolates, and it’s starting to feel suspiciously nippy outside. In a nutshell, Christmas is creeping its way in, whether we like it or not! And if you’re toying with […]

How to Avoid Hidden Airline Fees

How to Avoid Hidden Airline Fees

Oct 16, 2023

Discover the secrets to a hassle-free and budget-friendly journey by sidestepping unexpected airline charges. Finding a great deal on a flight can be so exciting! However, it’s not uncommon to encounter additional charges that can somewhat dampen the initial joy. Fortunately, with a bit of preparation and insight, you can navigate around these extra charges […]

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year on a Student Budget

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year on a Student Budget

Sep 14, 2023

If you’re desperate for a break from the conventional path of studies, a gap year is the perfect way to open a world of new opportunities! Studying abroad is an exciting way to discover work experiences like no other and develop life skills that are sure to put you in good stead in the future. […]

The Ultimate Guide to Bulk Buying

The Ultimate Guide to Bulk Buying

Sep 1, 2023

If you’re tired of spending a small fortune on your weekly food shop, it’s time to consider the money-saving hack of bulk buying! 1. Look out for Dried Items Dry foods are the ultimate product to stock up on! They have a long shelf life, meaning you can load up on them when they’re on […]

Back to School on a Budget: How to save money on School Uniform

Back to School on a Budget: How to save money on School Uniform

Jul 27, 2023

Kit the kids out with uniforms & school supplies on a budget using our complete back-to-school guide. Another school year is soon to commence, and one thing on every parent’s mind this summer is school uniform  – and more precisely, where’s the cheapest place for it? And with more and more of us looking to […]

How to Plan for Life Post Graduation

How to Plan for Life Post Graduation

Jul 18, 2023

If you’re approaching graduation and panicking about what to do next, don’t fret. We’ve put together some ideas of how you can plan ahead for life after finishing university. It’s that time of the year again – graduation season! As you bid farewell to your university days, it’s natural to start contemplating what lies ahead. […]