Pubs boosted by World Cup as other hospitality sectors struggle

Britain’s managed pub groups got a modest boost from early World Cup matches in June while other segments struggled for growth, the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

The tracker, produced by NIQ and CGA in association with RSM, shows pubs’ like-for-like sales were up by 1.9% year-on-year, making June their best month of the year so far. As well as welcoming England and Scotland fans to watch group-stage games, pubs benefited from periods of warm weather in many parts of the country.

However, other hospitality channels found it harder to generate footfall, as many consumers set aside spending for the World Cup or stayed at home. Restaurant groups’ sales were down by 0.7% year-on-year, making June their second-worst month of 2026. Bar groups’ sales dropped by 5.8% to extend a long run of negative numbers.

The net result for hospitality was a virtually flat June, with sector-wide sales rising just 0.2% ahead of last year. Growth hovered less than one percentage point either side of flat throughout the first half of 2026, and it has now been below the UK’s rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, for 14 months straight.

On a total sales basis it was a brighter June for hospitality groups, as when adding in venues opened in the last 12 months, sales rose by 3.8% in June – fractionally ahead of inflation.

For the third month in a row, trading in London was slightly ahead of the rest of the country. Groups’ like-for-like sales rose by 1% within the M25 but were flat beyond the M25.

Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “June’s numbers complete a modest first half of the year for hospitality in which any real-term growth was very hard-earned. The combination of the World Cup and sunshine was a boost to pubs, and we can expect strong July results after England’s progress in the tournament.

“However, big events and the heat tend to work less well for restaurants, who are besieged by high costs at the moment. It’s encouraging to see topline growth, which indicates that operators and investors have enough long-term confidence to open new premises.”

Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, added: “Wet-led pubs were the real winners of the World Cup with strong like-for-like growth bolstered by the hot weather, underscoring the importance of experience-led spending in the current climate.

“RSM’s latest Consumer Outlook highlights that discretionary spending remains constrained and highly selective. Good news for one segment of the hospitality market invariably means others coming under pressure, with restaurants, bars and on-the-go outlets all losing ground in June.”

Pubs have received more good news today with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement of a 20% business rates cut for their segment, along with bars and live music venues.

This comes after hospitality leader confidence tumbled in June amid fears about operating costs and consumer spending, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from NIQ and Zonal.

Research conducted by CGA by NIQ between 19 May and 9 June on behalf of UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster also revealed that one in six hospitality venues are at risk of closure within the next 12 months.