England fans set for 'Super Saturday' as Panama clash drives pub surge across UK

England’s pubs and bars are preparing for one of their busiest weekends in years as the Three Lions take on Panama at the 2026 World Cup, with industry forecasters predicting up to 55 million extra pints could be served if England reach the final — generating approximately £275 million in additional revenue across the tournament’s 39 days.

The British Beer and Pub Association reported that London pubs alone served an extra 144 pints each during England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, totalling around 500,000 pints and £2.5 million in extra revenue from a single match.

The Panama fixture is expected to draw an even larger crowd to venues across the UK, boosted by warm weather and the fact that millions of supporters will not need to be up for work the following morning. Extended licensing hours until at least 1am for group matches have also helped venues make the most of late kick-off times caused by the US time difference.

Despite the commercial uplift, the sector continues to face pressure from high operating costs and shifting drinking habits.

Off the pitch, the head of UK Football Policing praised England supporters for their conduct at the World Cup. Around 30,000 Three Lions fans travelled to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough for the Ghana match, which passed without any incidents or arrests of British nationals.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, said: “The behaviour of England fans both before, during and after the match was excellent and was a repeat of the picture in Dallas. The local police were very complimentary of them, with Chief Grace of Foxborough Police calling their behaviour ‘exemplary’. There really has been a great atmosphere throughout the city.”

Scotland supporters who travelled to Boston for their group matches against Haiti and Morocco also drew praise from local bar owners and authorities.

On the field, England sit top of Group L heading into the Panama game, while Scotland are third in Group C. If both nations progress, they could meet in the last 16 in Mexico City on 6 July — though that scenario depends on results in their respective final group matches.

England manager Thomas Tuchel will be looking for a sharper attacking display after Harry Kane spurned a late chance to break the deadlock against Ghana, blazing over the crossbar in a moment Tuchel said Kane would normally convert “99 times out of 100”.