The football fever is soaring to unparalleled heights this year, especially with the ongoing Fifa Women’s World Cup. The energy, the enthusiasm, and the sheer passion of the sport have drawn an unexpected number of visitors to various establishments across Hong Kong Island.
A Windfall for Sports Bars
Football fans have always been known for their undying spirit and massive turnouts during match seasons. However, this year, the influx of fans flocking to sports bars during the Women’s World Cup matches seems to have caught several businesses by surprise. The enthusiasm was palpable; big screens broadcasting the matches have turned many establishments into melting pots of culture and shared football fervor.
For some, like Ren Catanghal, an employee at The Globe in Central, the turnout was beyond imagination. “I had certainly not anticipated such a massive crowd. It was surreal to see the bar teeming with so many enthusiasts whenever the World Cup games were on,” says Catanghal, echoing the sentiments of several other establishments in the vicinity.
The Final Showdown
The anticipation is nearing its zenith with the upcoming final match between England and Spain. Both teams, vying for their first World Cup win, promise to make it an unforgettable event, not just for the fans, but for the bars and pubs, who are gearing up for another enormous turnout.
England’s journey to the final, especially their clash with Australia in the second semi-final, has added to the excitement. The Globe, which follows an English-style pub theme, recorded one of its busiest days during this match. Ren recalls, “People thronged our establishment to support and watch the teams from their homeland. It was phenomenal to see such a turnout, especially following the men’s World Cup. The women’s tournament has truly garnered a lot of attention, much to our surprise.”
The Universal Trend
And it wasn’t just The Globe. Belly and the Beer, a popular spot in SoHo, shared a similar experience. A staff member there mentioned how the house was packed on Wednesday, mirroring the sentiment of being pleasantly surprised by the fanfare and foot traffic.
Stef Bouchaert, the manager of Belly and the Beer, weighed in on the matter, “The convenience of the game timings, usually scheduled for the afternoon and evening, makes it easier for fans compared to the men’s World Cup timings. As we progressed to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the number of visitors grew exponentially. And with England reaching the final, we’re absolutely packed. We’re gearing up for a full house, right from early afternoon, for the upcoming Sunday final.”
Interestingly, The Spot Bar in SoHo’s Staunton Street had a parallel narrative. An employee there expressed that the sudden surge in interest took them by surprise. “We hadn’t anticipated the Women’s World Cup to generate this kind of response. It’s heartwarming to see people so deeply engrossed and interested.”
Loyal patrons at The Spot Bar reiterated the sentiment. They recalled the establishment being “absolutely packed” on semi-final day.
Diverse Establishments Jump on the Bandwagon
Notably, even places not traditionally known for screening sports are feeling the ripple effect of this football wave. Staunton’s in SoHo, which doesn’t usually cater to the sports crowd, decided to screen the England v Australia semi-final match. This decision turned out to be a great one, as a staff member gleefully noted, “The decision to screen the game and amplify the audio drew in a much larger crowd than usual.”
Anticipation for the Grand Finale
With the final match around the corner, establishments are bracing for an even more significant influx of patrons. Several bars reported to the Post about the overwhelming number of bookings they’ve been receiving for Sunday’s final. The Globe has already reached its capacity and has even begun a wait-list. Belly and the Beer is similarly preparing for a full house.
Conclusion
This year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup has proven to be more than just a sports event. It’s a celebration, bringing together diverse groups, breaking the norms of expected viewership, and showcasing the growing popularity and respect for women’s football. For establishments across Hong Kong Island, it’s been a roller-coaster of unexpected delights, hectic schedules, and business booms. One can only wait with bated breath for the final match, and the excitement it’s set to bring, both on and off the field.
The football fever is soaring to unparalleled heights this year, especially with the ongoing Fifa Women’s World Cup. The energy, the enthusiasm, and the sheer passion of the sport have drawn an unexpected number of visitors to various establishments across Hong Kong Island.
A Windfall for Sports Bars
Football fans have always been known for their undying spirit and massive turnouts during match seasons. However, this year, the influx of fans flocking to sports bars during the Women’s World Cup matches seems to have caught several businesses by surprise. The enthusiasm was palpable; big screens broadcasting the matches have turned many establishments into melting pots of culture and shared football fervor.
For some, like Ren Catanghal, an employee at The Globe in Central, the turnout was beyond imagination. “I had certainly not anticipated such a massive crowd. It was surreal to see the bar teeming with so many enthusiasts whenever the World Cup games were on,” says Catanghal, echoing the sentiments of several other establishments in the vicinity.
The Final Showdown
The anticipation is nearing its zenith with the upcoming final match between England and Spain. Both teams, vying for their first World Cup win, promise to make it an unforgettable event, not just for the fans, but for the bars and pubs, who are gearing up for another enormous turnout.
England’s journey to the final, especially their clash with Australia in the second semi-final, has added to the excitement. The Globe, which follows an English-style pub theme, recorded one of its busiest days during this match. Ren recalls, “People thronged our establishment to support and watch the teams from their homeland. It was phenomenal to see such a turnout, especially following the men’s World Cup. The women’s tournament has truly garnered a lot of attention, much to our surprise.”
The Universal Trend
And it wasn’t just The Globe. Belly and the Beer, a popular spot in SoHo, shared a similar experience. A staff member there mentioned how the house was packed on Wednesday, mirroring the sentiment of being pleasantly surprised by the fanfare and foot traffic.
Stef Bouchaert, the manager of Belly and the Beer, weighed in on the matter, “The convenience of the game timings, usually scheduled for the afternoon and evening, makes it easier for fans compared to the men’s World Cup timings. As we progressed to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the number of visitors grew exponentially. And with England reaching the final, we’re absolutely packed. We’re gearing up for a full house, right from early afternoon, for the upcoming Sunday final.”
Interestingly, The Spot Bar in SoHo’s Staunton Street had a parallel narrative. An employee there expressed that the sudden surge in interest took them by surprise. “We hadn’t anticipated the Women’s World Cup to generate this kind of response. It’s heartwarming to see people so deeply engrossed and interested.”
Loyal patrons at The Spot Bar reiterated the sentiment. They recalled the establishment being “absolutely packed” on semi-final day.
Diverse Establishments Jump on the Bandwagon
Notably, even places not traditionally known for screening sports are feeling the ripple effect of this football wave. Staunton’s in SoHo, which doesn’t usually cater to the sports crowd, decided to screen the England v Australia semi-final match. This decision turned out to be a great one, as a staff member gleefully noted, “The decision to screen the game and amplify the audio drew in a much larger crowd than usual.”
Anticipation for the Grand Finale
With the final match around the corner, establishments are bracing for an even more significant influx of patrons. Several bars reported to the Post about the overwhelming number of bookings they’ve been receiving for Sunday’s final. The Globe has already reached its capacity and has even begun a wait-list. Belly and the Beer is similarly preparing for a full house.
Conclusion
This year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup has proven to be more than just a sports event. It’s a celebration, bringing together diverse groups, breaking the norms of expected viewership, and showcasing the growing popularity and respect for women’s football. For establishments across Hong Kong Island, it’s been a roller-coaster of unexpected delights, hectic schedules, and business booms. One can only wait with bated breath for the final match, and the excitement it’s set to bring, both on and off the field.
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