One in four football fans build up knowledge – through watching matches at pubs
One in four football fans (24%) reckon they have built up their knowledge of the beautiful game – by watching matches at the pub with fellow fans, a study has found.
The research, of 2,000 adults who follow the sport, found that over half (56%) feel that if they can't be at a stadium to enjoy a match, the next best place to be is down the pub.
Four in ten (42%) enjoy the big-screen experience, while 53% love the lively atmosphere at their local boozer – and 31% like to watch the action unfold with their favourite pint in hand.
Meanwhile, a further three in ten (31%) enjoy celebrating alongside other fans – and over half (52%) have found themselves chatting away about football to a total stranger in a pub.
As a result, 54% believe discussions about football are the best way to break the ice – which is perhaps why one in four fans have built up an “encyclopaedic” knowledge of the sport.
Some of the top pieces of football trivia they enjoy discussing include players who have captained their team (26%), and random football managers from back in the day (24%).
And nostalgia plays a big part in the knowledge of football fans – as 23% are in their element chatting about players from the ‘90s, while 16% love reminiscing about retro kits from their childhood.
The research was commissioned by Budweiser Brewing Group, who alongside TNT Sport, are hosting a pub takeover in Newcastle, with former players Nolberto Solano and Andrew Cole, and presenter Will Brazier, as the Magpies take on Paris St Germain on Tuesday, November 28.
The study found 65% of fans have learnt their knowledge by sitting through hours and hours of matches over the years, while 41% have learnt from talking with other fans, and 37% attribute it to reading articles online.
More often than not, 38% always try to catch the really big games at the pub, with viewers arriving an average of almost 25 minutes before kick-off – as 58% of those polled, via OnePoll, want to get there early to grab a drink before the game gets underway.
Jean David Thumelaire, from Budweiser Brewing Group, which is inviting fans to watch the game at The Grove and take part in a Q&A with the former St James’ Park favourites, said: “We know that for football fans, pubs are among their favourite places to enjoy the beautiful game – and we can only imagine the excitement for Newcastle fans, seeing their club back playing European football.
“To celebrate our partnership with TNT Sport, helping pubs create memorable experiences for their customers, we can’t wait to open the doors for a night to remember – no matter the outcome.”
TOP 25 FOOTBALL TRIVIA TOPICS FANS KNOW ALL ABOUT:
- The history of the club they support
- Former captains of the club they support
- Former presenters and pundits on football shows (e.g. Match of the Day)
- Random managers from back in the day
- Stadium names from around the world
- Past winners of certain competitions
- Random players from the 1990s
- Nicknames of certain players
- Wondergoals scored throughout the years
- Club chants
- Retro kits from back in the day
- Football games they played when growing up (e.g. FIFA, Football Manager)
- Former club shirt sponsors
- Record transfer fees
- How much certain players cost
- Terrible refereeing decisions from games over the years
- Player's hairstyles from when they were growing up
- Different competitions which no longer exist (e.g. UEFA Intertoto Cup)
- Seemingly meaningless matches from when they were growing up
- The hometowns of football players
- The next big player coming through their club's academy
- How many goals certain players scored in their careers
- Stadium capacities across the country
- How certain players wore their kits (e.g. long-sleeved shirts, socks down low, etc.)
- How many international caps certain players have
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