Nearly 17,000 fewer people visited A&E during England's Euro 2024 matches than would be expected based on recent trends. This is a concerning trend for the NHS, which is urging fans not to delay seeking medical help to watch football matches.
The data shows that attendances dropped significantly during key matches. For example, there were 8.8% fewer patients compared to the six-week average when England played Serbia in their group-stage opener. Other notable matches, such as the quarter-final against Switzerland and the final against Spain, also saw substantial drops of 5.9% and 5.7%, respectively.
Most notably, A&E visits were lower during weekend fixtures than during weekday games. This was most pronounced in the hour leading up to kick-off, with an 11% decrease in patients attending emergency departments.
However, this temporary relief for A&E services often gave way to a surge in demand immediately after the match. Hundreds more people attended A&E in the eight hours following a game, largely due to an increase of around 10% in trauma and musculoskeletal-related cases – which typically involve injuries from falls or other incidents.
NHS England's Emma Rowland has emphasised that the NHS remains fully operational during major tournaments. She urges fans not to delay essential treatment, but instead use NHS services as they normally would, including dialling 999 for emergencies and using the NHS 111 service for other healthcare needs.
The observed trend highlights a potential behavioural shift among some football fans who may postpone seeking medical help to watch matches. However, this can lead to more severe conditions or increased pressure on emergency services during peak post-match periods, potentially affecting waiting times and overall efficiency.
Interestingly, the last Euros saw a notable increase in admissions between 1am and 2am – a 6.3% rise compared to the average for that time – indicating the delayed impact of evening matches on A&E services.