England- Argentina semifinal tonight drives pub sales

England will face Argentina in a World Cup semifinal match tonight, July 15, in Atlanta, with a scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff. The high-stakes encounter has captivated the nation, with millions expected to watch and a significant economic boost forecast for pubs and retailers.

The match represents England's biggest test of the tournament under manager Thomas Tuchel, following a win over Mexico and a nail-biting quarter-final victory against Norway. According to predictions from the discount website VoucherCodes, up to 26.2 million people in the UK are expected to tune in. An estimated seven million fans are predicted to watch in pubs, bars, and fan zones, a record for the tournament during this World Cup. Those hospitality venues are forecast to see a surge of up to 9.7 million extra pints sold, boosting drink sales by an estimated 60.5 million pounds, with an additional 37.8 million pounds spent on food.

The British Beer and Pub Association separately estimates pubs alone could serve an extra six million pints for the game, which would equate to a 75 percent increase over a typical Wednesday in July. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said the team's success has already...