Football fans are planning tactical naps and booking strategic annual leave with more than two thirds planning to watch as much of the FIFA World Cup as possible.
With some matches kicking off at 5am UK time, a poll of 2,000 lovers of the beautiful game found 73 per cent are willing to stay up later than usual and 10 per cent plan to pull all-nighters to watch the action live.
A fifth (19 per cent) are getting up early and avoid spoilers to watch highlights ‘as live’, while 12 per cent expect to adjust their working hours to cope with the late nights.
A further 11 per cent will rely on plenty of coffee to get through, with 20 per cent more likely to work from home in order to get the most from the tournament.
On a typical weekday, fans usually head to bed at around 10:45pm – but during the tournament, 40 per cent are willing to stay up until 2am or later.
In fact, England fans are more likely than their Scottish counterparts to power through the night, with 76 per cent happy to do so compared to 68 per cent of Scots.
While fans in Scotland enjoyed an extra bank holiday on Monday 15th June to help manage their late kick-off against Haiti, and 56 per cent in England would like to see a similar approach if the team advances to the knockout stages.
The research was commissioned by Lenovo, the Official Technology Partner of the FIFA World Cup and it has teamed up with sleep expert James Wilson, known as The Sleep Geek, who advises professional footballers – and now the fans – to optimise performance through better sleep.
James Wilson, The Sleep Geek, said: “Football fans in the UK are likely to lose sleep over the next few weeks, but that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their wellbeing.
“Just as players adapt their routines to maximise performance, fans should consider how match times fit with their natural sleep patterns, work schedules, family responsibilities, and daily lives.
“The goal isn’t perfect sleep every night. It’s finding a balance that lets you enjoy the football without paying for it the next day.”
The study also revealed 48 per cent of those staying up late will do so because nothing compares to the excitement of watching a match live.
And 35 per cent believe the unusual kick-off times make the experience feel even more special.
Matches involving the team they support are the ones fans are most likely to stay up for (62 per cent), although big clashes between footballing giants will keep 36 per cent awake.
As the tournament gets underway, 41 per cent expect football chat in the workplace to ramp up – despite 34 per cent anticipating slower starts after late nights.
The OnePoll research also found parents are bracing for bedtime battles, with 49 per cent expecting intense negotiations with their children during the tournament.
And 45 per cent of parents of young children said they will make exceptions for certain games – such as when their national team is playing.
Andy Rhodes, general manager for the UK and Ireland at Lenovo, said: “We’re proud to be helping power the biggest live sporting event in history, supporting an incredible tournament experience for fans around the world.”
“For fans in the UK, late kick-offs will be part of what makes this tournament so memorable, but they’ll also take a little planning.
“From tactical naps to family negotiations, fans are finding their own ways to make the most of every moment.”
“It’s all part of the experience, and with a little preparation, this will be five weeks of football we’ll be talking about for years to come.”
SLEEP EXPERT TOP TIPS FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP:
1. Plan your schedule
Trying to watch every game is a quick way to end up exhausted. By prioritising the matches that matter most to you, you can start planning your sleep around the games you really don’t want to miss. Having a plan makes it much easier to balance all the football action with getting the sleep you need.
2. Understand your sleep type
Understanding your natural sleep pattern can help you decide how to approach late-night kick-offs. An owl may find it easier to stay awake for a 2am game and then head to bed afterwards. A lark may be better off getting some sleep first, setting an alarm, watching the match, and then returning to bed once it’s finished.
3. Use naps strategically
If you’re working while following the football, naps can be your friend. A nap of around 20–30 minutes can help boost alertness and energy without leaving you feeling groggy. Just avoid napping too close to your normal bedtime, as it can reduce your sleep pressure and make it harder to fall asleep later that night.
4. Use light to stay alert
Caffeine can help, but light is one of the most powerful ways to boost alertness. Light therapy boxes or glasses can signal to your body that it’s time to be awake, helping you stay alert for late kick-offs without dozing off.
5. Watch what you consume
Caffeine too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep, and alcohol can reduce sleep quality, leaving you feeling tired the next day. Also be mindful of late-night snacks – foods high in salt or sugar can leave you thirsty, uncomfortable, and less refreshed in the morning.
