Domestic Violence Reports Reached Record High in UK During Football World Cup

Fear and Expectations From Before World Cup Proved To Be Correct

Domestic violence reports reached a record high during the 2026 Football World Cup in England and Wales.

The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) recorded 384 domestic abuse incidents, the highest figure recorded during a men’s major tournament.

The figure confirmed concerns raised before the tournament that factors surrounding major matches, including increased alcohol use and heightened emotions, can fuel and intensify existing domestic violence cases.

384

Increased Domestic Violence

The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) recorded 384 domestic abuse incidents, the highest figure recorded during a men’s major tournament.

384 Domestic Violence Incidents Recorded

Police recorded 2,322 incidents during the tournament, with domestic violence accounting for 17%.

For comparison, police recorded:

306 domestic violence incidents during the 2018 World Cup,
193 during Euro 2020,
119 during the 2022 World Cup,
351 during Euro 2024, and
384 during the 2026 World Cup.

93% of the 2026 incidents were linked to England matches. Incidents peaked during England’s final two matches. The Norway quarter-final generated 79 domestic violence incidents, while the Argentina semi-final generated 88.

Police stressed that football does not cause domestic violence. However, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the national lead for football policing, said the vast majority of incidents were alcohol-related and identified alcohol as a principal driver of violence around football.

Women’s Aid made a similar distinction. Veronica Oakeshott said increased alcohol use and heightened emotions around major matches can increase the frequency and severity of existing gender-based violence.

Football matches do not cause domestic abuse, but factors associated with big matches, such as increased alcohol consumption and emotions running high, can make existing domestic abuse increase in frequency and severity,” said Veronica Oakeshott, according to The Athletic reporting.
Veronica Oakeshott, Women’s Aid

Alcohol Availability And Licensing Raise Concerns

The 2026 tournament stirred up concerns about late-night alcohol availability. Venues could remain open later for England’s knockout matches. For the Mexico last-16 match, which began at 1am BST, licensing hours were extended until 5am following a decision made only days before the fixture.

Chief Constable Roberts warned that more late-night alcohol use could mean “more harm in the home” and criticised the short notice because police had little time to adjust staffing.

Serious incidents also occurred around licensed premises. After the Argentina match, a man was stabbed at a licensed premises, while supporters later surrounded a police station. Another man was stabbed after the Norway quarter-final while leaving a licensed premise.

The alcohol harm in the homes and in public spaces was predictable. But warnings and health and safety concerns were disregarded. Now, the UK is receiving the feedback that this harm could have been prevented.

Earlier Research Showed A Similar Pattern

The 2026 figures add to earlier research on domestic violence and England football matches.

A Lancaster University study, published in 2014, found that reported domestic violence incidents increased by 26% when England won or drew and by 38% when England lost. The research examined incidents in Lancashire during the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Researchers noted the study’s limited scale and called for replication.

This is important context for understanding the link between football tournaments and domestic violence.

A University of Warwick study found that an England victory in an international tournament was followed by a 47% increase in reported alcohol-related domestic violence cases.

47%

Victory Leads To Alcohol-related Domestic Abuse

An England victory in an international tournament was followed by a 47% increase in reported alcohol-related domestic abuse cases.

Another compelling study summarises research involving 5,118 people:

About one-third of violent incidents experienced by respondents were alcohol-related.
Among people who experienced intimate-partner violence, 37.8% reported heavy episodic alcohol use in the previous year, compared with 27.8% among those experiencing family violence.

Fifa World Cup Is Associated With Increasing Domestic Violence

Alcohol in Family and other Violence

Campaigns For Domestic Violence Prevention

Campaigners warned about the risks before the tournament began.

Before the 2026 World Cup, Women’s Aid launched The Other Kick Off campaign. The campaign focused on 11:37pm, described as the estimated time an abusive partner might return home after England’s opening match. The campaign used digital billboards around fan zones and football hotspots to highlight the experience of people who may fear what happens after a match.

I Choose Freedom launched its Unspoken Stat campaign, supported by Mel B. The campaign introduced “xV” or expected violence, using the 26% and 38% figures from the Lancaster research.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also urged victims to report violence. It highlighted physical abuse as well as coercive and controlling behaviours, including monitoring phones and social media and emotional blackmail. The CPS said four in five domestic abuse cases referred by police, where a charging decision was made, resulted in charges.

Other campaigns have taken similar approaches. Solace Women’s Aid previously launched #StopItComingHome, using domestic violence statistics alongside England match results. Its campaign aimed to encourage football supporters to confront the issue rather than ignore it.

Lessons For Euro 2028

The 2026 figures will contribute to police planning for Euro 2028, which England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will co-host.

Licensing policy will be a major focus. Police want decisions made well before fixtures rather than shortly before matches.

Evidence also points to the value of alcohol pricing and availability policies. Studies consistently show that raising alcohol prices through taxation significantly reduces intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. For instance, research shows that in countries with higher alcohol taxes, rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) are lower. In the US, a 10% increase in alcohol prices has been linked with a 3-4% reduction in IPV cases (WHO, 2021). Two studies from the United States found that a 1% modelled increase in the price of alcohol was linked with a reduction of 3.1 – 3.5% in self-reported wife-abuse (WHO, 2014; Durrance, 2011).

The 2026 World Cup showed that alcohol harm is predictable when political leaders and authorities ignore people’s concerns. The priority for future tournaments should be clear: protect people from domestic violence, prevent other alcohol harms in the public space, strengthen accountability, and promote safer communities rather than treating violence as an inevitable part of football.