Scot no loyalties: Glasgow and Aberdeen rank top cities to skip anniversary with a partner to watch sports
34.2 million Brits admit to ditching work and responsibilities for sporting events.
Article Source: Topgolf Glasgow
Last Updated: 19 April 2024 17:10
A whopping 34.2 million1 Brits (51%) have ducked out of a day’s work or other responsibilities to watch or attend a sporting event, with a staggering 3% of people admitting to missing the birth of their child – equating to 2 million2 of the UK population, according to new research.
The study, commissioned by gamified golfing experience Topgolf UK, examined British attitudes towards major sporting events ahead of the Masters Tournament, looking at what people had already missed, and what they would be willing to, just to watch or attend.
If missing a child’s birth isn’t bad enough, a further 4% of Brits also confessed to skipping a key childhood event, such as parents evening or sports day.
And when it comes to Glasgow residents, 5% have even admitted to missing an anniversary with a partner to watch sports, ranking as the number two city in the UK willing to do so, only behind fellow Scottish city Aberdeen (6%). Both rank over double the UK average (2%).
Men have been found to be significantly likelier to call in sick at work for the day (16%) to watch a sporting event – over double the number of females (7%).
When quizzed on which event have made Brits shirk their responsibilities the most, watching a one-off football game (32%) seems to be the most popular choice, with the football World Cup (27%), closely following in second. And whether you are from the green or blue side, people from Glasgow seemingly value club football far more than the wider UK, with over half (53%) polled admitting to shirking a responsibility to watch the footy.
Over half (52%) of Brits who have admitted to bunking off for sport in the past are seemingly great at sneaking around, with the shiftiest area for getting away with watching sport being revealed as Sheffield (66% of people), closely followed by Newcastle and Oxford (both 65%).
And for those caught red handed, actions and the consequences varied massively, with the majority resulting in a confrontational argument with the person spotting their wrongdoing (12%). Shockingly, in some workplace cases a new job was on the cards, with 3% of people admitting to quitting on the spot, and a further 1% being fired. One-in-20 (5%) tried to get even with the individual catching them red handed as a result of being exposed.
Some Brits yet to play hooky haven’t ruled out doing so in the future, naming that of the football World Cup (16%) once again as the sporting event that they might do it for. Employers, take note ahead of the summer! This was followed by a one-off football match to watch their club play (9%), and a Formula One Grand Prix (8%).
As Augusta rapidly approaches later this week, a massive 4 million3 (6%) would feign a ‘sick day’ off work to watch the season’s first Golfing major. Breaking the data down further, 14% simply wouldn’t bother with housework, a family meal (10%), or religious services (7%), and instead opt to sit back, relax and wait to find out who this year’s Green Jacket winner will be.
Michael Angelides, Senior Director of International Marketing at Topgolf UK, said: “With a jam-packed sporting calendar ahead this summer, starting with next week’s Masters Tournament, we thought it was the perfect time to examine how Brits fit sporting events around their everyday tasks… and it turns out many don’t!
“Whilst we don’t recommend people shirking their responsibilities, all four Topgolf UK venues will be showing the tournament in full on our big screens from Thursday right through to Sunday 14th April. Simply head down to and enjoy it with your friends and family at our venues in Glasgow, Watford, Chigwell or Surrey. Just be sure to let your bosses know it could be a late night, especially if Tiger Woods pulls off the unthinkable!”
Walk-ins available at all Topgolf UK venues to watch the Masters Tournament in their bar/restaurant areas available from Thursday, right through to Sunday. To book a bay at Topgolf, visit topgolf.com/uk/plan-a-visit/
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Calling all runners... grab a FREE post race drink from Flight Club Glasgow
Flight Club is inviting Glasgow AJ Bell Great Scottish Run participants to celebrate their incredible effort with a complimentary drink on Sunday 5th October!
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links