Is it cheaper to watch the World Cup in the pub than at home this winter?

The True Cost of Watching the World Cup This Winter

• With energy bills soaring and this years World Cup taking place in the winter, a new study reveals how much it might cost to tune into each game at home.
• Considering energy bills and the need for heating and lighting to watch this year’s World Cup, watching one game could cost over £6.00 in the UK.
• The report continues by comparing the 2022 World Cup to the 2018 tournament, revealing that football fans could spend 1,405% more on bills this year.

This years World Cup will be different to any that have come before. To avoid the intense heat of the Middle East’s summer, the Qatar 2022 World Cup is to take place during the UK’s winter, meaning pub gardens are likely off the cards.

This also comes at a time where energy bills have soared, with electricity and gas prices now capped at 34.0p per kWh and 10.3p per kWh, respectively. As well as standing charges reaching 46p for electricity and 28p for gas.

With increased energy prices and games taking place during the UK’s colder months, what does this mean for those tuning into the 2022 World Cup at home? And how does it compare to the 2018 tournament (assuming default tariffs)?

The Cost of Watching One 2018 World Cup Game

With the World Cup taking place in winter (in the UK), football fans will spend much more to watch their team play this year than in 2018.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was held in the summer (14^th of June-16^th July). So, with energy prices being lower and no need for heating and lighting, UK fans only had to pay an estimated 41p per game (this figure is based on the assumption of tuning into 2 hours of football a day).

The Cost of Watching One 2022 World Cup Game

However, for this years 2022 Qatar World Cup, the figures are far higher. Taking place between 20^th November–18^th December, 2022’s figures account for increased energy bills and World Cup games taking place in winter. Taking winter into account, watching games at home will require heating for all fixtures and lighting for fixtures taking place at 4pm and 7pm. Therefore, the price of watching one game at home could cost an estimated £6.17 per game (this figure is based on the assumption of tuning into 2 hours of football a day).

Comparing the costs between 2022 (£6.17) and 2018 (41p), its suggests that watching one game could cost around 1,405% more this year than four years ago.  

Below is a breakdown of the figures calculated:

2018: Electricity per kWh: 17.8p / Gas per kWh: 4p

Electricity Standing Charge:	Gas Standing Charge	2 Hours of TV (55″ LED TV, rated G)	2 Hours of Lighting (10, 60kWh light bulbs):	2 Hours of Heating (24kW gas boiler):
21p	16p	3.7p	0p	0p

Total 2018 cost per game = 41p

2022: Electricity per kWh: 34p / Gas per kWh: 10.3p

Electricity Standing Charge:	Gas Standing Charge	2 Hours of TV (55″ LED TV, rated G)	2 Hours of Lighting (10, 60kWh light bulbs):	2 Hours of Heating (24kW gas boiler):
46p	28p	7p	41p	£4.94

Total 2022 cost per game = £6.17.

Looking at the Cost Comparison

Understandably, the figures between 2018 and 2022 are significantly different due to the heating and lighting required for winter games. However, if we were to remove these figures from the 2022 calculations, it would still cost fans 81p per game, a 98% increase from the 2018 figure.

Please note, these figures are only estimates based on price caps, default tariffs and estimated usage.

For more information on our findings and to see how much it would cost to follow England to the final, please visit: https://www.gambling.com/news/what-is-the-true-cost-of-watching-the-world-cup-3657900.