Late-Night Football Viewing Offers Energy Savings Opportunity
Watching football matches late at night or in the early hours could offer UK households a practical way to reduce their energy bills. By running appliances such as washing machines during cheaper electricity rate periods, consumers could achieve significant savings.
With energy costs once again reaching concerning highs, research conducted by E.ON Next highlights the potential financial benefits of using a time-of-use tariff. The company’s Next Smart Saver deal features three different rates: peak, off-peak, and super off-peak.
The 2026 men’s football World Cup, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, has commenced with a variety of kick-off times. Julian Lennertz, chief commercial officer at E.ON Next, stated:
“Millions are set to be awake for night-time games, unaware it’s also one of the cheapest times to use electricity.”
Currently, few households utilize time-of-use tariffs, which charge different rates depending on the time of day. However, experts anticipate increased adoption as electric vehicle ownership grows and consumers seek to benefit from such schemes.
Understanding the Next Smart Saver Tariff
Under the Next Smart Saver deal, electricity costs 39p per kilowatt hour during peak hours (4pm-7pm). This rate decreases to 18p during off-peak hours and further drops to 13p during super off-peak hours (2am-5am).
Running a washing machine typically accounts for 14% of a household’s energy bill. E.ON Next compared the cost of operating a washing machine during super off-peak hours on 35 World Cup match days against the government’s energy price cap and found potential savings of £93 million nationwide.
Jan Rosenow, professor of energy and climate policy at the Environmental Change Institute, who conducted the calculations, explained:
“Most people don’t realise that when they run appliances, can be just as important as which appliances.”
Rosenow further noted that households could save up to £230 annually compared to the price cap by shifting five typical daily activities—such as watching TV, ironing, and using the tumble dryer—from peak to off-peak hours.
Other Dynamic Tariffs and Consumer Options
Similarly, EDF’s dynamic electricity tariff, FreePhase, informs customers a day in advance about the pricing for the next 24 hours. It divides the day into three time bands: green (super off-peak, 11pm-6am), amber (off-peak, 6am-4pm and 7pm-11pm), and red (peak, 4pm-7pm).
Customers can adjust their electricity usage, such as laundry, cooking, and device charging, to take advantage of lower rates. EDF reports that FreePhase saved customers £152 in the first five months of 2024 compared to the standard variable tariff.
This renewed focus on energy bills comes ahead of the upcoming energy price cap increase next month, which will raise the average annual gas and electricity bill to £1,862 starting in July.
Considerations and Limitations of Time-of-Use Tariffs
While time-of-use tariffs offer potential savings, experts caution there are advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Joanna O’Loan, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust, commented:
“If you have an electric vehicle, storage heating, a heat pump, home battery or smart appliances, they are often worth considering.
But this level of flexibility isn’t possible for everyone, and without it, savings can be small, or even negative.”
O’Loan noted that currently only 2-3% of households are on time-of-use tariffs, mostly those with electric vehicles, according to Ofgem. Many more use older off-peak tariffs like Economy 7, which do not require smart meters but are only beneficial if significant electricity is used overnight. For many, higher daytime rates may offset any savings.
Accessing newer smart time-of-use tariffs requires a smart meter, as without one, suppliers cannot track when electricity is used or apply the appropriate rates.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, stated that interest in these tariffs is growing but warned:
“They charge significantly less during off-peak hours … users need to watch out for the more expensive peak rates between 4pm and 7pm.”
Gallizzi added:
“If you use a lot of energy during the day, one of these deals may not be best for you – but if you can charge an EV overnight, or set your washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer on a timer, you could see some savings.”
For consumers seeking the lowest cost options, Gallizzi identified Outfox Energy as offering the cheapest tariff at the time of writing, with an average household cost of £1,611 per year—£251 below the July price cap.
World Cup Mascots Highlight the 2026 Tournament
The 2026 World Cup features unique mascots representing the host nations: Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle.
