British Pubs Pour £40m A Year Into Grassroots Sports

British pubs are quietly powering the nation’s grassroots and community sports clubs having served up £40m in financial support over the past year, a new report has revealed.

Pubs Power Sport from PubAid has shone a light on the huge value pubs are providing to the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing through financial and in-kind support of local sports teams and initiatives.

The research shows that more than 6.7 million sport and activity sessions are powered by pubs every year across the UK. Around six in every ten pubs support a sport related initiative, and those who do, facilitate an average of 20 hours of physical activity per month within their communities.

Football is the biggest beneficiary with 76 percent of pubs supporting a football team or club. This has seen a huge increase from 40% in 2019.

By raising £40m annually for sports clubs, it is estimated that pubs generate £160m in social value based on the Government’s social value ratio of £1 invested in sport equals £4 returned.

Des O’Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, the positive voice for UK pubs, said: “Pubs are an essential but often unseen force behind grassroots and community sport.

“Over two thirds of pubs are even supporting sport more now than in 2019 despite the challenges of the last six years for the sector.

“Behind every statistic is a publican giving time, space and care to keep local teams alive. From funding kits to hosting yoga in the function rooms and teaching darts teams, pubs are playing a crucial part in improving the physical and mental health of the nation.

“The findings of Pubs Power Sport 2025 confirm what the industry has long known, pubs are a vital part of the nation’s social infrastructure.

“The alignment between pub-led activity and national priorities is strong, from supporting the Government’s Levelling Up agenda to playing a vital role in combating loneliness across communities.”

The Pub Powers Sport Report can be accessed here.