* Pubs to get five hours free electricity on nights England and Scotland are playing

* Available for pubs with an Octopus Energy for Business tariff and a smart meter

* Comes as YouGov survey shows significant impact of energy costs on small businesses

London - This World Cup, Octopus Energy for Business is putting pubs in the spotlight, offering free electricity on evenings England and Scotland are playing, through the 'Watt a Save' initiative.

Like Happy Hour, but for power: pubs showing the England and Scotland matches can get five hours of free power from 7pm to midnight on game nights while fans cheer on.

'Watt a Save' is available to all pubs with an Octopus Energy for Business energy tariff and a smart meter, giving a much-needed boost at a time when the sector is feeling the squeeze from rising costs.

Pubs can make even more matchday savings by shifting energy usage into these hours, like cooling kegs and getting big screens blazing.

It comes as a recent YouGov survey found hospitality firms are struggling more than other sectors, with nearly three-quarters (74%) reporting a negative impact from energy costs over the past year.*

Eligible pub customers can sign up here to opt in to the scheme.**

Zoisa North-Bond, CEO at Octopus Energy for Business, said: "Pubs do more than serve drinks - they're where friends catch up and, during a big tournament, where entire rooms celebrate and despair in unison. But like many businesses, they've been feeling the squeeze from rising costs, including energy bills.

"With fans set to head to their local to watch the World Cup, we wanted to give pubs something to celebrate too. If we can help keep a bit more money in the till, that's a win in anyone's book."

Declan Perkins, owner of Clissold Park Tavern, The Lauriston and The Regent pubs in London, said: "The World Cup is one of our busiest times - so free electricity on the evenings England and Scotland are playing is a real help as we focus on giving our customers a brilliant match day experience."

Pubs taking part in 'Watt a Save' can continue to benefit from flexible energy via Octopus Energy for Business's 'Shape Shifters: Trio' tariff, offering lower electricity rates between 7pm and midnight, with businesses saving an average of 7.5% on their annual bills. Those wanting to go even further can get 'Shape Shifters: Agile', which updates rates every 30 minutes to match real-time wholesale costs.

Many hospitality businesses are a natural fit for smart tariffs because they tend to use more power during cheaper evening hours. By shifting energy-intensive tasks into these off-peak times, they can unlock even bigger savings.

'Watt a Save' is the latest example of Octopus Energy's support for local communities. Alongside helping pubs, the company has already given free football kits to 4,700 grassroots teams across the UK - with plans to support even more teams next season.

ENDS

Notes to the Editors:

*The survey also found that one in five (19%) hospitality businesses said they were unaware broker fees could be hidden within energy pricing, underlining the need for greater transparency. Smart tariffs like 'Shape Shifters' aren't offered by brokers, underscoring the benefits for businesses to go straight to suppliers to save money on their bills.

This survey was carried out by YouGov on behalf of Octopus Energy for Business, with 1,034 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) decision-makers responsible for choosing their business' energy supplier surveyed across the UK (excl. Northern Ireland). The survey was carried out online between 17 and 27 April 2026.

**To take part in the 'Watt a Save' scheme, eligible customers can opt-in at any stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and enjoy free electricity whenever England or Scotland play, from the date they join. To be eligible, pubs will need a working meter that sends us automatic readings e.g. a smart meter or AMR meter.

Press Contact:

Amy Boekstein

press@octoenergy.com

020 4530 8369

About Octopus Energy for Business

Octopus Energy for Business launched in 2018 to provide companies with future-proof energy services, supplying them with 100% renewable and fairly-priced power. Built to shake up an opaque market stacked against small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the team delivers simple and transparent pricing with no unnecessary middlemen. It has pioneered smart time-of-use tariffs - the first supplier to do so - helping small businesses cut energy costs by using energy at cheaper, greener, off-peak times.

With a predominantly SME customer base, the team supplies around 120,000 customers, right across from independent high-street businesses to the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC, Caffè Nero, Osprey Charging and Instavolt. More information on Octopus Energy for Business can be found here.

About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.

The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £7 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.

Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide. For more information, check out our website.