MAGAZINE

Sweepstakes and cocktails

Last month, Pub & Bar magazine launched the Pub & Bar Sweepstake, bringing together 48 leading on-trade operators and allocating each one to an international football team.

Tracking all of the fixtures taking place this summer, the Pub & Bar Sweepstake, in association with Walkers, added an extra focus on this year’s major football tournament, while having a bit of fun through showcasing pub and bar operators taking each other on. 

The pub and bar companies involved were randomly allocated to an international team – some were happier than others! Pub & Bar magazine then provided daily updates via Instagram, as well as weekly newsletters and stories at pubandbar.com updating readers where each pub company stood. We loved updating the results and tables each morning, as those involved discovered how they’d faired against their peers. I’m sure Beautiful Pubs Collective won’t forget beating Stonegate Group 6-0 in a hurry!

Ultimately, the aim was to bring a different kind of focus to this summer’s football. While we know how much major tournaments mean to the trade (we received so many press releases about sales data that confirmed this), hopefully this championship meant a little bit more to nearly 50 businesses, as every result was relatable for those involved. 

At the end of the tournament, which is very close now, the winner will receive a lead interview operator profile within Pub & Bar, as well as a bartender spot at this year’s Classic Cocktail Competition. Keep an eye on our website and socials to see who that is.

Of course, you don’t need to win a sweepstake to be in with a chance of competing at the 2026 Classic Cocktail Competition. To throw your hat in the ring, simply head to classiccocktails.co.uk and fill out the free-to-enter online form.

Tristan O’Hana - Editor