The FIFA World Cup will be the highest-profile event of 2026, generating mass market interest. However, late-night kick-offs scheduled for home nations will shift fans to at-home viewing, as opposed…
UK
Sports
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UK Major Sporting Events Market Report 2026
"The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract substantial audiences, while late-night kick-offs will boost at-home viewing, giving retailers, takeaways and delivery platforms the opportunity to boost at-home consumption options."
Yogita Burke, Cross-category Research Analyst
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for major sporting events
Opportunities
Capture the at-home FIFA World Cup occasion
Promote major sporting events into holistic travel experiences for younger adults
Reframe women-only sporting events through narrative, not rivalry, to appeal to older women
THE CONSUMER
Winter Olympics/Paralympics and learnings for future games
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have broad appeal
Younger followers engage in multiple ways, reinforcing the need for more comprehensive engagement strategies from broadcasters and event organisers
Graph 1: methods used to follow the 2026 Winter Olympics, by age group, 2026
Graph 2: methods used to follow the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, by age group, 2026
In-person experience attracts young adults
Attract younger adults by incorporating live events into holiday packages
Target young stress-relief seekers
Delta Airlines leverages 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as a commercial and brand opportunity
Women’s sporting events
Almost one in four Brits followed women’s major sporting events in 2025
Resonate with older women by reframing the value proposition beyond the hype and spectacle
Graph 3: major sporting events followed in the 12 months to April 2026, by gender, 2026
Capitalise from UEFA Women’s Euro viewers
Graph 4: methods used to follow the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro, by age group, 2026
25-34 year olds represent a key demographic for women’s cricket
Graph 5: interest in women’s major cricket events, 2025 and 2026
The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup campaign ‘Catch The Spirit’ aims to build awareness and excitement…early
Boost fan engagement in women’s cricket with a dedicated app
2026 FIFA World Cup: engaging viewers
2026 FIFA World Cup poised for high engagement, opening opportunities for brands to boost engagement and sales
2026 FIFA World Cup interest skews towards men, but women aged under-44 are keen
Graph 6: intentions to follow 2026 FIFA World Cup, by gender and age group, 2026
Graph 7: intentions to follow 2026 FIFA World Cup, by gender and age, 2026
The vast majority of viewers intend to watch at home
Graph 8: 2026 FIFA World Cup viewing location intentions, 2026
Stadium spectators will be a minority
Keep viewers engaged with short-form, informative content to cater to national interests
Attract fans to pubs and bars during the tournament
2026 FIFA World Cup: opportunities for brands
Food and drink are central to the football viewing experience
Home-viewing offers opportunities to boost food and drink sales
Graph 9: ‘The late kick-off times mean I am more likely to watch the matches at my/someone else’s home’, 2026
Target at-home convenience seekers with low-prep and no-prep food options
Health-related and energising brand opportunities
Convert event-led food and drink shoppers into repeat buyers
Elevate food and drink menus at pubs and bars
APPENDIX
Market definition
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
UK generation groups
Abbreviations
UK Major Sporting Events – Market Trends and Insights
The FIFA World Cup will be the highest-profile event of 2026, generating mass market interest. However, late-night kick-offs scheduled for home nations will shift fans to at-home viewing, as opposed to viewing in pubs, creating greater demand for food and drink consumables for solo and social viewers and opportunities for retailers, takeaway and delivery channels. But almost one in three fans still intend to watch the event out-of-home, enabling venues to capitalise from the tournament through enhanced dining and drinking options and target pre-match fans.
One of the challenges for major women-only sporting events is the low engagement among females aged over 45. Positioning these events as purposeful viewing linked to individual athletes and their journeys is likely to chime with this group.
Interest in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, including opportunities to boost in-person attendance among younger fans
Engagement and future interest in women’s major sporting events, with a focus on strategies to resonate with older women and boost interest in women’s cricket
Interest in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including viewing locations and strategies to attract viewers and boost engagement
2026 FIFA World Cup brand opportunities, including ways to boost sales of products and services throughout the tournament
Report Scope
This Report focuses on UK adults’ experience of and interest in major sporting events, whether through attendance in person, viewing on television or consumption of other media content.
Major events are defined as international competitions that rotate between venues, with hosting rights typically allocated through a bidding process, such as World Cups or European Championships. Major domestic events staged annually at the same venue (eg Grand National, F1 British Grand Prix etc) are excluded.
Experience of a major event through broadcast media may be live, in highlight form or on a time-shift/on-demand basis.
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