June is set to be one of the biggest sporting months of the year for pubs and bars, with international football taking centre stage. However, it’s not all about the football with cricket, tennis Formula 1 and horse racing all combining to create wall-to-wall occasions across the month.
The biggest talking point is the growing anticipation surrounding the World Cup, with England and Scotland fans beginning to plan where they’ll watch their teams this summer. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across the USA, Canada and Mexico, this is football’s biggest-ever event.
Everyone is hoping for packed venues and longer dwell times but the kick off times will create some problems so careful planning is needed to create standout matchday experiences.
England and Scotland’s Fixtures
England’s confirmed group-stage fixtures have now been announced, with all kick-off times landing in prime viewing hours for UK pubs and bars.
England Group Stage Fixtures
- Wednesday 17 June – England vs Croatia – 9pm BST
- Tuesday 23 June – England vs Ghana – 9pm BST
- Saturday 27 June – Panama vs England – 10pm BST
Scotland Group Stage Fixtures
Scotland’s return to the World Cup promises some late-night viewing for UK fans, but all three group-stage matches should still attract dedicated supporters into pubs and bars willing to stay open for the action. Scotland have been drawn alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in Group C.
- Sunday 14 June – Scotland vs Haiti – 2am BST
- Friday 19 June – Scotland vs Morocco – 11pm BST
- Wednesday 24 June – Scotland vs Brazil – 11pm BST
For pubs and bars, the late-evening kick-offs can create opportunities for:
- Matchday food bundles
- Premium beer and sharing promotions
- Table bookings and ticketed events
- Extended evening trade
- Outdoor screenings and fan zones
With football fans already planning where they’ll watch matches, you should promote fixtures early on social media and build themed experiences around the tournament to help with customer engagement throughout the month.
A Huge Summer Of Sport Beyond Football
While football may dominate the headlines, June also delivers a packed sporting schedule across multiple audiences.
Cricket Season Heats Up
England’s summer cricket schedule continues throughout June, with international fixtures helping drive daytime and evening viewing occasions.
Test cricket remains hugely popular among pub audiences, particularly during weekend sessions, while shorter formats continue attracting younger social crowds looking for all-day sporting occasions.
For venues with outdoor spaces, cricket and summer drinks promotions are a natural fit during warmer weather.
Tennis
Few sporting events capture the British summer atmosphere quite like Wimbledon.
The famous tennis tournament once again brings premium daytime viewing opportunities for for you to lean into:
- Pimm’s promotions
- Sparkling wine serves
- Afternoon food specials
- Summer cocktails
- Outdoor viewing areas
Wimbledon also attracts a broader customer demographic, making it an ideal opportunity for you to drive daytime trade throughout the tournament.
Formula 1 Keeps Delivering
Formula 1’s 2026 season continues to gather pace throughout June, with three major race weekends helping keep sporting audiences engaged across the month. The sport’s growing popularity among younger audiences and casual fans continues to make it a strong addition to pub and bar viewing calendars.
June Formula 1 Race Calendar:
- Monaco Grand Prix — Sunday 7 June — 2pm BST
- Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona) — Sunday 14 June — 2pm BST
- Austrian Grand Prix — Sunday 28 June — 2pm BST
Darts
International darts takes centre stage in June with the PDC World Cup of Darts returning to Frankfurt, Germany. Featuring two-player national teams from around the world, the tournament regularly attracts strong viewing figures in UK pubs and bars, particularly when England, Scotland and Wales are in action. With evening sessions running throughout the competition, the event provides another opportunity for venues to drive midweek and weekend trade.
World Cup of Darts
- Thursday 11 June – First Round
- Friday 12 June – First Round
- Saturday 13 June – Second Round & Quarter-Finals
- Sunday 14 June – Semi-Finals & Final
Horse Racing
June is one of the biggest months in the horse racing calendar, with two major events attracting racing fans across the UK. The Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs kicks off the month before attention turns to Royal Ascot, one of the most prestigious and widely watched racing festivals in the world. Both events provide pubs and bars with excellent opportunities to drive afternoon trade and attract sports fans throughout the month.
Horse Racing Fixtures
- Friday 5 June – The Oaks (Betfred Derby Festival)
- Saturday 6 June – The Derby (Betfred Derby Festival)
Royal Ascot
- Saturday 20 June – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Day
- Tuesday 16 June – Opening Day
- Wednesday 17 June – Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day
- Thursday 18 June – Gold Cup Day
- Friday 19 June – Commonwealth Cup Day
Making The Most Of June Sport
The key for operators this summer is turning fixtures into full occasions rather than simply showing live sport on screens.
You can maximise June by focusing on:
- Advance booking packages
- Social media fixture countdowns
- Themed food and drink menus
- Fan engagement competitions
- Premium viewing experiences
- Outdoor trading opportunities
With the World Cup games, the cricket season underway, Wimbledon returning, three Formula 1 Grand Prixes and Royal Ascot, June is perfectly positioned to become one of the strongest trading months of the summer for pubs and bars.