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Wed, 10 Jun 2026

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 UK pint prices up 36% since last World Cup – here's why

UK pint prices are up 36% since the last World Cup. We look at why beer now costs so much more.
The price of a pint in UK pubs has increased by an average of £1.50 (36% increase) since the last World Cup, outpacing inflation (16%). Landlords attribute this rise to various costs such as energy bills, national insurance contributions, and taxes. Since 2022, the cost of a pint has risen from £4.03 to £5.01 in official statistics for 2025. According to Nathan Freeman, landlord of Industry bar in Bristol, "everything going into the pint has gone up". The brothers' business faced rising costs after recovering from the Covid pandemic, then energy bills surged due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To stay afloat, the Freemans had to make tough decisions, such as winding down their kitchen operations and focusing on drinks sales. The British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA) reports that two pubs are closing every day in the UK. The BPPA's chief executive Emma McClarkin attributes the price increase to the rising cost of doing business for pubs and breweries, with beer duty being a major contributor. McClarkin notes that Britain pays 54p per pint in beer duty, compared to Spain and Germany's 4p. Pubs in England also have to charge 20% VAT, which contributes around £1.50 to the price of a pint. Landlords are calling for a cut in taxation on pubs, similar to other countries participating in the World Cup. A petition to reduce VAT rates has garnered nearly 200,000 signatures, with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge leading the campaign. The UK government has announced measures to support pubs, including a £4.3bn support package and capping Corporation Tax at 25%.