England fans may be dreaming of World Cup glory but new analysis suggests a semi-final exit tonight could bring an unexpected consolation prize for the housing market.
Research by eXp UK has found that house prices have historically recorded their strongest annual growth following World Cup campaigns in which England reached the latter stages before falling short.
The study compared annual house price growth in the year after every FIFA World Cup since England’s 1966 triumph, measuring performance against how far England progressed in each tournament.
While England’s famous victory in 1966 was followed by a respectable 4.4% increase in average house prices over the following year, the strongest gains have typically come after quarter-final and semi-final exits.
SILVER LINING
Across tournaments where England reached the last eight or last four, median annual house price growth stood at 9.5%, compared with 6.7% following group-stage or last-16 exits. In years when England failed to qualify for the tournament, median annual growth fell to 5.2%.
The research comes as England prepare for a World Cup semi-final against Argentina, offering fans at least one potential silver lining should their hopes of lifting the trophy come to an end.
SENTIMENT BOOST
Adam Day (main picture, inset), Head of eXp UK and Europe, says: “A World Cup doesn’t directly influence house prices, but major sporting occasions can lift national sentiment and, when this optimism filters through the wider economy, the housing market often benefits too.
“Of course, if given the choice, England fans would happily swap stronger house price growth for a second star on the jersey.
“But should Argentina end England’s run at the semi-final stage, the historic data suggests there could at least be a silver lining, with the deepest tournament exits tending to precede the strongest periods of house price growth.”
While the figures make for an interesting comparison, eXp stressed they illustrate a historical pattern rather than evidence that football results drive property values, with wider economic conditions remaining the dominant influence on house prices.
