Benn v Eubank II Was The Fight Everyone Wanted
Some 35 years into the Benn v Eubank soap opera, fan appetite for the melodrama remains enormous. Comfortably, the month’s most-searched-for fixture, it generated
It was huge, it was late and it was easily the biggest missed opportunity for pubs.
Because here’s the truth: when a major boxing bout rolls around, the vast majority of venues don’t show it. Which means the ones that do instantly become the go-to spot.
If you’re willing to commit to the licence fee and the late-night finish, you’re rewarded with a crowd that has nowhere else to go.
So what?
If a big fight lands, be the place that screens it. You’re competing with fewer pubs than you think and the demand speaks for itself. The next big one is Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua on 20th December and it’s a showdown you can’t afford to miss.
🏏 The Ashes Are Heating Up
Ashes interest was significant this month and the second Test provides pub with a unique opportunity.
The day/night test in Brisbane means a later start time in Australia, making the final session viable to UK venues willing to experiment with trying to reach a breakfast crowd..
Whilst putting on some kind of food is probably a must and most fan interest will live or die on how well England are doing, there’s an opportunity there for venues that have built a community of customers and know how to communicate with them.
I think back to the 7:45 bacon butty and coffee I enjoyed at a packed Regent in Islington ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final as to what it can look like when venues get it right.
So what?
Think early doors. Think breakfast trade. Think all-day dwell time. There’s value here, but only for pubs willing to lean in.
Champions League: Midweek Is About to Matter
The pre-Christmas Champions League fixtures are entering that stage of the season where every point feels decisive, qualification spots, group-deciders, all-or-nothing matches.
Midweek sports can be a lifesaver for pubs: they drive traffic on days that otherwise dip. But only if you’re actually showing the matches and telling people you’re doing so. Fans aren’t just looking for the biggest fixtures, they’re looking for somewhere reliable on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
So what?
Make the most of these midweek fixtures:
Looking ahead:
Christmas is a massive period for pubs and the sporting opportunities come thick and fast. Choosing what you’re going to focus on - whether that’s christmas parties, sport or a mixture of the two, clarity on what customers can expect is key.
The venues that win will be the ones that stay consistent: promote early, show the key fixtures, and make it obvious that fans can rely on you midweek and on big weekends alike.
Build the habits now, and you’ll be the place supporters choose automatically when the next headline fight, Test match or European blockbuster drops.
