Pubs across England are anticipating a surge in customers as fans gather to watch the Three Lions' World Cup quarter-final match against Norway in Miami. The game is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time in Miami, which is 10 p.m. in the UK.
While thousands of supporters have traveled to the United States for the match, millions more are expected to watch the game in fan zones, pubs, and at home. To accommodate the anticipated crowds, bars have been granted permission to extend their operating hours until 2 a.m. or 30 minutes after the final whistle. An estimated 42 million pints are expected to be consumed across the country.
Despite initial concerns about extreme heat in Miami, the match is currently slated to proceed as scheduled. In Newcastle, at least 1,700 England supporters are expected at a fan zone, with projections of consuming 4,000 pints before kickoff. Briony Young, manager at WeAreFanZones, noted that the event sold out in record time, reflecting the high level of enthusiasm.
"It's always busy for every England game but today's sold out in record time," Young said. "Even though it's a bit drizzly and overcast, a little bit of rain won't put us Geordies off. There's been a real party atmosphere in the city all day. Everyone is confident that we can get the job done and march into the semi-final."
Pre-game festivities in fan zones have included England-themed music playlists and singalongs, with fans expressing confidence in the team's progression. Some supporters, mindful of work commitments the following day, joked about extending their celebrations.
Fans attending gatherings shared their predictions for the match. Second-year sports student James Mason anticipated a 3-1 victory with goals from Bellingham and Kane, while also expecting Erling Haaland to score for Norway. Another fan, Cameron Armstrong, highlighted the importance of containing Haaland and suggested a close game.
This match is anticipated to be one of the busiest nights for pubs since England's 2018 World Cup semi-final appearance. Viewing figures are expected to be substantial, with 17 million tuning into ITV and an additional five million on ITVX, potentially reaching ratings comparable to the Euro 2024 final.
Outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, England fans have also gathered, expressing optimism about the team's tournament prospects. Ryan Dougan stated his belief that England has a strong chance to win the World Cup, contending that only France has shown superior form. He expressed confidence in England's ability to defeat any opponent, including France in a potential final.
Max Gill, a supporter from London, suggested that England might find Norway a more manageable opponent in the quarter-finals compared to Brazil, noting that Brazil's attacking style would present different challenges. He remains cautiously optimistic about the match but wary of Haaland's counter-attacking threat, predicting a narrow 1-0 victory.