New research from Nationwide reveals two thirds (67%) of the UK plans to watch the World Cup – equivalent to over 46 million people.
One in four (25%) say they will look for last‑minute tickets if their team performs well, rising sharply to 43 per cent should they reach the semi‑finals or beyond.
But amid the clamour for tickets, Nationwide has urged people to be on their guard, with customer data showing ticket scam victims lost over £300 on average over the past year.
The global tournament is expected to see an increase in consumer spending, with 27 per cent anticipating higher spend over the period. A quarter (25%) expect to spend an additional £50-£100 across June and July.
Nationwide’s poll of 2,000 respondents shows most fans are set to watch from home, likely in part due to the time differences but also in response to the cost-of-living challenges facing households. The tournament looks to be a social occasion with 40 per cent of Brits planning to watch with family at home, double that of those who plan to watch it alone indoors (20%), while 15 per cent will watch with friends at home and 11 per cent are set on heading to a pub or bar, despite time differences.
Nearly two in ten (18%) World Cup-watching Brits are planning to go to the supermarket for snacks and treats while 16 per cent will opt to splurge on a takeaway. Based on Nationwide customer spending data from the 2024 Euros, people spent an average of £23 on takeaways per transaction – however, spend is predicted to be higher during this year’s tournament.
A fifth (20%) of those who said they would spend on World Cup merchandise and memorabilia said they would buy a shirt or kit, while 14 per cent will buy flags and another 14 per cent will purchase World Cup related clothing. Seven per cent plan to buy mugs or glasses.
Mark Nalder, Payments Director at Nationwide said: “Our research shows what a social nation we are - it’s great to see events like the World Cup bringing people together. Whether it’s picking up treats from the supermarket, ordering a takeaway, or buying a team shirt, many of us are planning to spend this summer. Our app is there to help people manage their money with features like Impulse Saver and budgeting tools.
“Just a word of caution as World Cup FOMO starts to kick in. Our own data shows victims lost on average £337 on ticket scams over the past year highlighting the need for a calm, clear head when making any purchases.”
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Jim Winters, Head of Financial Crime at Nationwide shares his ticket scam red flags:
Do some research before you buy
Get in touch with the event organiser – for the World Cup it’s FIFA to see how and when tickets are being distributed. This will help you understand whether the website claiming to be selling them is legitimate or not.
Understand the rules
Read the terms of conditions of the website. Some will make it clear that there are no refunds – making it difficult if you later have an issue. If you’re trying to buy football tickets, know that, in most instances, it’s illegal to re-sell them under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. So, they should not be appearing on re-sell sites.
Pay for tickets by credit card
Unlike debit cards, credit card issuers are jointly liable for a failure to provide goods or services. However, this only applies if the price of a single ticket is more than £100 and less than £30,000.
Make sure the website is secure
If you do decide to go ahead with the purchase, look for the padlock symbol in the address bar. The website address should also begin with ‘https’.
Don’t forget about our Scam Checker Service
If you’re ever unsure about a payment you’re making from your Nationwide current account, you can talk to us first. Call us, or visit us in branch, and we’ll tell you if we think it’s a scam or not. This is our Scam Checker Service.
