Football fans across the region could walk away thousands of pounds richer this summer simply by heading down to their local hostelry to watch the international football action unfold.

Independent operator Thwaites has unveiled a major nationwide cash giveaway to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, offering pub-goers the chance to secure a substantial financial windfall at absolutely no cost.

The interactive promotion is scheduled to run throughout the tournament from Thursday, 11 June until Sunday, 19 July 2026, transforming standard match days into high-stakes opportunities for local communities.

During the half-time whistle of any televised fixture, staff members at participating venues will distribute custom red cards to everyone in attendance.

Each distributed card features a unique QR code that patrons can easily scan using a smartphone to access a digital entry portal, where submitting basic contact details automatically registers them into the prize system.

The reward structure includes a weekly regional draw of £1,000 alongside an overarching grand prize of £5,000, which will be drawn randomly once the international tournament officially concludes.

Andrew Buchanan, director of pubs and brewing at Thwaites, said: 

“We’re really excited to launch this, it’s never been easier for our guests to win big.

“There’s no cap on how many times you can enter, so the more matches you watch in our pubs, the more chance you have of winning. It’s that simple.”

Discovering Participating Thwaites Venues Across the Local Region

To assist supporters looking to maximize their entry opportunities, a number of prominent venues across Merseyside and the surrounding boroughs have been confirmed as official tournament hubs.

The participating establishments situated within a short distance for local residents include:

• Clock Face – Prescot (L34 3LL)
• Elephant – St Helens (WA9 5QW)
• Saughall Hotel – Wirral (CH46 5ND)
• Shippons Inn – Irby (CH61 3UA)
• Beechwood – Runcorn (WA7 2PZ)

The overarching campaign serves as a targeted corporate initiative by the hospitality firm to revitalise high street socialising by encouraging friends and families to experience the drama of live sport together.

Andrew added: 

“Pubs are places where people come together; they’re hubs for connectivity and socialisation, and in some ways, people’s home from home.

“At Thwaites, we’ve always been big on warm hospitality, in fact it’s been one of our core principles for nearly 220 yearss and because of that, we’re always keen to find new ways of uniting friends and family in the warmest way.

“If launching this campaign means we’re able to encourage people to join together, then we’ll be very confident it’s been a success.”

Sampling the Nostalgic World Cup Craft Ale Selection at the Taps

The interactive financial giveaway represents just one element of how the Lancashire-based brewing specialists are marking the arrival of the summer sports season.

Master brewers at the firm have crafted a bespoke, limited-edition ale specifically for the occasion, entitled Magic Sponge, which will be poured exclusively at the pumps during scheduled tournament match hours.

Designers at the brewery revealed that the quirky name and identity of the beverage draws directly upon the historic, nostalgic medical methods used by traditional pitch-side physios to treat knocked players using an ice-cold bucket.

From its humble historic origins as a small-scale regional business established in 1807 with just 10 public houses, Thwaites has expanded into a vast portfolio of over 223 acclaimed pubs, hotels, spas, and inns stretching across the country.

A total of 135 individual properties from the company’s estate are actively participating in the summer football network, and supporters can access the complete national directory by clicking this link to see a full list of every pub involved and more details on the campaign.

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