One in four rely on credit cards to fund World Cup-related spending

With the football World Cup just around the corner, new research from MoneySuperMarket has revealed that almost a quarter (23%) of Brits expect to rely on credit cards or borrowing to fund World Cup-related spending.

The survey of UK adults revealed it won’t just be the beer leaving Brits with a hangover this summer, with more than one in five (22%) also concerned about the financial hangover following the tournament.

The research found that one in five Brits plan to watch most matches in pubs, bars, fan zones, or public screenings over the summer. But whether spectating at home or away, over a quarter (26%) said they are likely to make impulse purchases such as takeaways, betting, or alcohol during games.

With this in mind, budgeting in advance could make a big difference to Brits’ wallets. When asked, only a quarter (26%) said they have been saving for World Cup-related spending this summer, meaning many could be putting serious pressure on their finances before the final whistle.

One in four (25%) Brits say they will cut back on spending in other areas to afford the celebrations. A similar figure (23%) expect to rely on credit cards, while 21% say they may turn to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) to fund their spending.

Kara Gammell, Personal Finance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, said “The World Cup is a sporting highlight but all the excitement can mean spending can easily spiral.

“With our research showing over a quarter of Brits say they will cut back on spending in other areas to afford World Cup costs, what may start as ‘I’ll stay for one more’ can quickly put extra strain on your wallet.

“Similarly, a credit card can be a useful tool if you’re confident you can pay it off. But with many saying they’ll rely on credit cards to fund spending, if you don’t clear the balance each month, interest can quickly add up.”