More than half of Welsh football fans would rather see their main rivals [England] win UEFA EURO 2020™ than skip their next holiday
- New research from Booking.com, official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner of UEFA EURO 2020™, reveals that rival supporters are on the same side when it comes to prioritizing their holidays.
- Nine in ten (92%) Welsh football supporters confirm that they plan to travel for leisure in the next year, as long as it’s safe to do so.
- Research reveals that Welsh fans are more friends than rivals, with three in five Welsh supporters (59%) saying they are adversaries on the pitch, but friends off it.
- Eight in ten Welsh football fans (84%) agree that football fans from all over the world have more in common than not.
New research into the commonalities among rival European football fans has revealed that even the most dedicated Welsh football supporters wouldn’t miss their next holiday, even if this meant seeing their biggest adversary win UEFA EURO 2020™.
The research, commissioned by Booking.com, the official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner of UEFA EURO 2020™, showed that after over a year of restrictions due to COVID-19, over half of Wales (53%) would rather see England take the trophy, than miss their next holiday.
The majority of Welsh football fans have already started thinking about where they might go on their next break, when COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, with nine in ten (92%) supporters confirming that they plan to travel for leisure in the next year, as long as it’s safe to do so.
As Europe’s top 24 footballing countries gather for this unique UEFA EURO 2020™, six in ten Welsh fans (62%) named England as their biggest rivals. Many European football fans (38%) listed Germany as their main rival, followed by France (30%), Spain (22%) and England (21%).
While there’s always a high level of enthusiastic banter among European football supporters, Booking.com’s research found that three in five Welsh fans say they are rivals on the pitch but friends off it (59%), while eight in ten agree that football fans from all over the world have a lot in common (84%). What’s more, nearly half of Welsh supporters say it’s possible for football fans to get along with those who support a different team (48%).
UEFA EURO 2020™ kicked off on Friday (11 June) in Rome, and will see matches played in eleven European cities, with the final taking place at Wembley, England on Sunday 11 July. There will be fans in the stadium at every match, however due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the majority of the reduced capacity crowds, for the group stages at least, will be made up of domestic supporters from host nations.
Usually travelling to see their team live is a priority for many fans, but Booking.com’s research revealed that supporters’ trips abroad are about much more than just who wins on the pitch. 77% of Welsh fans say that watching in stadia alongside rival fans is the best part of live football, while 69% travel to matches to enjoy the atmosphere that they get from being alongside opposition supporters.
The majority of rival fans agree that they will miss opposition supporters from other countries this summer. Eight out of ten Welsh fans (82%) believe that visiting fans create a special atmosphere in the country or city they visit to attend a game.
Scottish supporters top the list of fans whose absence will be most felt by their rivals (15%). One in ten Welsh fans say the Scottish football crowds have the best chants (12%), nearly half say they’re seen as the most fun (47%), while 60% think they provide the best banter.
Wales’s opening match was against Switzerland on 12th June, with 14% of Welsh fans having previously visited Switzerland.
Despite England being ranked as one of the top teams to beat, 88% of rival Welsh football fans have something good to say about the country. 21% like the energy fans bring to football games, the culture (15%) and the countryside (35%), while 19% think England is a great holiday destination.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com will be helping football fans find the right place to stay in tournament host cities, where travel is allowed. However, as COVID-19 has made it impossible for the majority of fans to mix in person at matches this year, Booking.com will also be connecting rival supporters virtually, on social media, allowing them to interact, share goal celebrations, match rituals and commentary throughout the tournament via #RivalsReUnited.
Though most football fans will be watching the games from the comfort of their living rooms or on a big screen at their local pub, restrictions permitting, many are already thinking about their next overseas trip. Two in five Welsh fans say that their top reason for wanting to travel abroad, when restrictions end, is to relax and rejuvenate (43%). Over a quarter want to discover new cultures (26%), while about the same amount (27%) want to go on an adventure and escape their routine (24%).
Welsh fans are most likely to have visited England in the past (77%), followed by Spain (60%) and France (59%).
Arjan Dijk, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com, said: “We know sporting events like UEFA EURO 2020™ are a big reason why people travel; a thrilling 90 minutes on the pitch is combined with the opportunity to experience other countries, cultures and join in with the locals. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, travel may not be an option for many fans this year. Our research has shown that the limitations on travel have so affected European football fans that they would rather see their biggest rival win UEFA EURO 2020™ than miss their next holiday.
“It seems that opposing fans, whose rivalry may be rife during those all important games, are on the same side when it comes to prioritising their holidays. And as our research and travel data has revealed, supporter relationships aren’t just about who wins, with football fans much more friends than rivals. This why we are eager to encourage those fans who can’t come together physically, to connect through #RivalsReUnited and share the many memorable moments that we will undoubtedly experience over the next month.”
For further information, contact the Booking.com UK Press Office; lon-booking@ketchum.com
METHODOLOGY
European football fan research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample size of 11,341 UEFA EURO 2020™ supporters aged 18 or over in 15 markets. European markets and sample size are as follows: Belgium (715), Croatia (864), Denmark (750), France (700), Germany (661), Italy (871), Netherlands (674), Russia (715), Spain (853), Sweden (694), England (684), Scotland (695), Wales (693), Turkey (866) and Portugal (906). Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th March and 13th April 2021.
About Booking.com:
Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.4 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.
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