The timing appears to have been decisive. The report says:
That pattern underlines how football consumption has moved beyond the living room. Supporters were reportedly streaming, checking updates and sharing reactions while travelling home or gathering before the final whistle.
The report also says match-related streaming traffic jumped 380% compared with a normal weekday afternoon. The figure captures the growing pressure placed on mobile networks when a major national team fixture takes place during working hours.
The impact was not limited to telecoms. According to the report, footfall rose 7.4% across retail areas, with high-street visits up 15%. Between 14:00 and 17:00, visits to those locations increased 28%, as workers reportedly stayed in town centres for pubs, bars and fan zones.
London recorded an even sharper shift. Office-heavy areas saw traffic rise 31.7%, while movement across the capital increased 46.7% week on week. Even after kick-off, visits remained 13.3% higher than the previous week.
The figures present the England team as a commercial and social force, not simply a sporting attraction. Match scheduling can influence network demand, retail traffic and how cities organise around live football.
The next test is expected to come at 01:00, according to the report. That later kick-off should reduce the commuter effect but could create a different pattern, with Sunday-night gatherings and overnight viewing becoming the next storyline around England’s World Cup campaign.