OVER 500,000 extra pints are expected to be sold during Scotland’s World Cup match against Morocco on Friday night, figures show.
The analysis by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) estimates that the extra 520,000 pints of draught would be worth around £2.6m to the trade.
Scotland’s opening match against Haiti on Saturday was estimated by the SBPA and Oxford Partnership to have driven sales of at least 380,000 extra pints, worth around £1.9m to pubs and bars across Scotland.
The earlier kick off for the match against Morocco will have the biggest impact on the estimated 140,000 increase in pint sales.
While Scotland’s opening game against Haiti kicked off at 2am BST on Sunday morning, Friday’s match against Morocco starts three hours earlier 11pm BST, with the expectation that many more people will watch the match from pubs rather than at home.
Paul Togneri, from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup has given pubs a much-needed welcome boost, with early indications suggesting at least 380,000 extra pints were sold for the Haiti game despite the 2am kick-off. It’s an incredible result following an incredible match.
“With Friday night’s clash against Morocco starting at a much more pub-friendly 11pm we expect an even bigger boost, with over half a million extra pints to be poured in pubs and bars across the country. That would be worth upwards of £2.6m to the trade, which is hugely welcome for venues still battling high costs.
“If you can’t be in Boston, there’s no better place than the pub. We’d urge supporters to get down to their local, back the team and cheer Scotland on together.”
Tom joined Deadline News in 2025 after graduating with a master’s degree in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. He has previously reported on Scottish and European politics in both print and broadcast, and is also a freelance football commentator.
Being half-Belgian, Tom is also a fluent French speaker. You can contact him using the links below.
