England football fans heading to South Africa this summer could save over a quarter on everyday costs while away, according to ECA International, the world’s leader in the development and provision of solutions for the management and assignment of employees around the world.
With goods and services 27% cheaper on average in South Africa than the UK, travelling fans already have one reason to celebrate.
Japanese supporters will see the biggest savings of around 60%, while for Australians cheering on the Socceroos goods and services will be approximately 40% cheaper. American visitors could make savings of around 30%.
Mexicans who go to South Africa to support their team will experience the smallest difference from home – prices of everyday items are on average 4% cheaper in South Africa than in Mexico.
The news is not so good for followers of Paraguay’s national team. Fans heading to this year’s World Cup should expect to pay around 9% more on average for goods and services while away.
England supporters will be glad to learn that beers in a bar will be a third cheaper than at home – that’s three beers for the price of two. Cigarettes can be bought for two-thirds of the price back home. With those savings likely to prompt the odd hangover the good news is that painkillers are half the price in South Africa than back in the UK.
If England do make it to the final in Johannesburg, the price of a short taxi ride there is typically 60% lower than a London black cab. Even if fares go up during the World Cup period, the price will still be substantially cheaper than in the capital.
If European Cup holders Spain make it to the finals on 11 July they’ll have another reason to smile: a celebratory beer at a bar will cost almost a third less than at home, while a meal out is around half the price.
For supporters of surprise-qualifiers, New Zealand, taking the trip to South Africa, living costs will be approximately a third lower than at home. If they pick up a few cans of beers and a takeaway on the way home from a game they’ll save themselves 25% off the cost of doing the same at home.
Day to day living costs also vary from city to city within South Africa – a Mexican fan watching his team’s opening match in Johannesburg, for example, will be paying approximately 15% more for a beer in a bar than if they were in Durban. Similarly, an England supporter watching their side’s first Cape Town fixture will be pleased to learn that beers in a bar followed by a take away is 10% cheaper than if the match had taken place in Pretoria.
