Football fans to spend £605 million on World Cup patch-ups
Football fans across the UK are preparing to sacrifice their hard-earned cash as four million of them say they will spoil their partner with various gifts and gestures in compensation for the time they spend watching the World Cup.
The analysis from Santander Credit Cards reveals that Brits will collectively spend £605 million on flowers, restaurant meals, holidays and other peace-offerings in a bid to make up for neglecting their other half while watching Rooney and Ronaldo strut their stuff in Rio.
Millions of football fans are braced for off-field disputes of the domestic variety, with 5.7 million supporters (11 per cent) predicting that watching the footy will be the cause of an argument between them and their partner.
In an effort to patch things up, four million Brits are planning to grovel once the World Cup is over by doing extra housework (33 per cent of those who expect to have arguments), helping out more with the kids (24 per cent) or allowing their partner to watch their favourite TV programme (22 per cent). A further 18 per cent plan to make peace by doing more in the garden and 17 per cent plan to buy flowers to atone for their World Cup arguments.
Of the millions of us that will be compensating our partner, many will be splashing the cash on gifts, spending an average of £150 each and an impressive £605 million in total. This is a significant increase from the last World Cup when the average spend in making up was £96, or £260 million in total.
The study from Santander, which is sponsoring ITV’s live coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, shows that female footy followers estimate the cost of World Cup arguments will be £108, whereas men estimate it will cost £170 repairing the damage done by their soccer squabbles.
Most popular 'peace-offerings' - 2014 % - 2010 %
Do more work than usual around the house - 33 - 31
Help more with the kids - 24 - 15
Let my partner watch their favourite TV programme - 22 - 23
Do more work than usual in the garden - 18 - 20
Buy flowers - 17 - 8
Pay for a meal out - 15 - 15
Sacrifice other time spent with friends - 11 - 11
Buy other gifts - 9 - 7
Table shows the percentage of football fans who expect arguments over the world cup who are planning to compensate their partner with that particular ‘peace-offering’. Respondents were able to choose more than one answer. Source: Santander
Andy Smith, Santander spokesperson, said: “Emotions run wild during World Cup time, but everything comes at a price, particularly for those with partners who’d rather not have to watch a whole month of football. As they’re spending nearly £150 on average, the cost of World Cup patch ups can’t be underestimated. For those that are less keen on watching the games, don’t be disheartened – flowers or a meal out could well be coming your way.”
Smith added: “Whether you’re planning to stock up on food and drink ahead of the match or to treat your partner to a gift or some flowers, make sure you spend on your Santander 1|2|3 card, which offers customers cashback on everyday spending, including 1% at supermarkets, 2% at department stores or 3% at petrol stations, national rail and Transport for London.”