Do Sporting Events Affect Property Prices in England and the UK?

According to Barrows and Forrester, historical UK market trends appear to indicate that World Cup competitions for the English football team tend to boost house prices, arriving at this conclusion by comparing historic housing market trends after World Cup campaigns. This analysis was performed using levels of inflation-adjusted house price growth across the English market and how this rate of growth differed depending on England’s previous World Cup performances.

Failing to Qualify for the World Cup

According to the data, the most muted housing market performance was shown during the years the team failed to qualify. This was the case in 1974, 1978, and 1994. During these years, there was an increase of just 0.8% on average, whereas in the years the team has made it to the initial stages of the tournament, and into the last 16, house prices have increased by an average of 2.8%.  Lastly, in years when England reached the quarter or semi-finals of the World Cup, house prices have increased by an average of 5.3% since 1970.

If England Makes it to the Final!

In 1966, England achieved victory. This provides the best example to determine what the team’s success could mean for the market. England’s 1966 win was followed by positive house price growth, but values increased by just 3.6%. This is 1.3% less than price growth for a quarter or semi-final elimination.

England’s top property performers since the last World Cup include North Devon with house prices up by 60.3% since June 2018, Rochdale (+49.2%), Tameside (48%), Oldham (46.6%), and Cotswold (+45.9%).

Managing director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “If England enjoys success at this World Cup, historic trends suggest it could be good news for homeowners with house prices likely to rise by a good chunk should they make the finals stage of the tournament.

Of course, regardless of England’s on-pitch ability, back at home we’re dealing with a tricky economic situation and cannot rely on the positive sentiment of a good World Cup run to help stimulate the housing market.

Having said that, Gareth Southgate himself could have done a better job at handling the economy compared to some of our most recent ministerial offerings and so maybe he is the man to help keep house prices buoyant.”