06/06/2026
John Barnes has teamed up with Greene King to encourage Brits to ditch watching football at home this summer 🍻
New research reveals that two thirds of fans (67%) say watching matches socially boosts their mood compared to watching alone.
The research suggests fans who skip the pub are missing out on the sense of belonging, atmosphere and the relationships that make matchdays memorable, dubbed ‘BAR-deficiency’, highlighting the important role pubs play in bringing people together through shared sporting moments.
Tackling this, three decades on from his iconic rap in support of the England squad, Barnes has returned to the mic once again - this time releasing a new track on social media encouraging the nation to experience the game together in the pub.
The study of 2,000 Brits found that:
· Two thirds (67%) say watching football socially boosts their mood compared to watching at home
· More than three quarters of Gen Z (78%) say going to the pub is better for their wellbeing than the stress of hosting at home
· Nearly one in three people (32%) say being part of a shared matchday experience in the pub strengthens their emotional and social wellbeing
· Over a third (34%) say watching football in the pub makes it feel like a bigger occasion, while 33% say it creates more memorable moments with others
· Three in 10 (30%) say they most enjoy the friendly rivalry, banter and reactions of fellow fans when watching football in pubs and bars rather than alone
To help create an electric matchday atmosphere from the very first game of the tournament, Greene King is offering fans a free drink for every guest in their booking at selected Greene King, Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse and Belhaven pubs on Thursday 11 June 2026, when Mexico takes on South Africa in the tournament’s opener.
