Watching football is better than Christmas, survey reveals
New research from Greene King Sport has found that for over half of football fans (53%), football is the top Christmas highlight, beating out traditional favourites like unwrapping presents and enjoying festive treats.
Not just that, but nearly two-thirds of supporters (62%) feel Christmas would not be the same without football, reinforcing just how integral the beautiful game is to the Christmas season.
To celebrate the kick off of the festive football period, Greene King Sport pubs will offer 20% off select drinks for fans enjoying the biggest matches in early December.
The 20% off offer will be available one hour before, during, and one hour after every live fixture from 10th to 15th December.
Meaning discounts are available for big midweek Champions League clashes including Girona v Liverpool, RB Leipzig v Aston Villa, Juventus v Man City and Arsenal v Monaco.
What’s more, discount will also cover the midweek EFL action plus Friday night’s fixture with Derby County taking on Portsmouth.
Guests can also claim their 20% off for all of the weekend’s Premier League action including Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa on Saturday and a bumper Sunday of Brighton v Crystal Palace, derby action of Man City v Man United and finally a 7pm kick-off for Southampton v Tottenham.
To claim, simply download the Greene King Sport app, register, and visit your nearest Greene King, Flaming Grill, or Hungry Horse Sport pub to receive 20% off drinks from the app’s drinks range.
What’s more, new customers who download the app will receive a free drink on sign up and continue to enjoy 10% off selected drinks during every sports event listed in the fixtures section of the app.
As well as being the perfect excuse to enjoy a festive drink, data also highlighted how deep football traditions are woven into fans’ holiday routines.
Boxing Day fixtures has long been a highlight for many, and over half of respondents (52%) claimed it was their favourite matchday of the football season.
People are so passionate about football that around half of football supporters have admitted to carefully planning their festive activities around match schedules to avoid missing any of the action.
This passion does not always sit well with others however, as it was revealed that six in ten fans (60%) are so committed to the football, it has caused arguments with family members who may be less enthusiastic about tuning into the big match.
Seven in ten (70%) of people have even admitting to considering skipping a Christmas family event altogether to catch a match, while nearly three quarters (73%) balance their holiday plans to fit the football in alongside family traditions.
Michelle West, Head of Sport at Greene King, said: “This Christmas season is set to be massive for football fans, and we’re excited to bring even more value to their celebrations.
Whether it’s for the big matches in early December or just soaking up the festive season, our 20% off offer lets fans enjoy the game, their way.”
