![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/article31491438.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-1798312754.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOne in four football fans (24%) reckon they have built up their knowledge of the beautiful game \u2013 by watching matches at the pub with fellow fans, a study has found.<\/p>\n
The research, of 2,000 adults who follow the sport, found that over half (56%) feel that if they can't be at a stadium to enjoy a match, the next best place to be is down the pub.<\/p>\n
Four in ten (42%) enjoy the big-screen experience, while 53% love the lively atmosphere at their local boozer \u2013 and 31% like to watch the action unfold with their favourite pint in hand.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a further three in ten (31%) enjoy celebrating alongside other fans \u2013 and over half (52%) have found themselves chatting away about football to a total stranger in a pub.<\/p>\n
As a result, 54% believe discussions about football are the best way to break the ice \u2013 which is perhaps why one in four fans have built up an \u201cencyclopaedic\u201d knowledge of the sport.<\/p>\n
Some of the top pieces of football trivia they enjoy discussing include players who have captained their team (26%), and random football managers from back in the day (24%).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And nostalgia plays a big part in the knowledge of football fans \u2013 as 23% are in their element chatting about players from the \u201890s, while 16% love reminiscing about retro kits from their childhood.<\/p>\n
The research was commissioned by Budweiser Brewing Group, who alongside TNT Sport, are hosting a pub takeover in Newcastle, with former players Nolberto Solano and Andrew Cole, and presenter Will Brazier, as the Magpies take on Paris St Germain on Tuesday, November 28.<\/p>\n
The study found 65% of fans have learnt their knowledge by sitting through hours and hours of matches over the years, while 41% have learnt from talking with other fans, and 37% attribute it to reading articles online.<\/p>\n
More often than not, 38% always try to catch the really big games at the pub, with viewers arriving an average of almost 25 minutes before kick-off \u2013 as 58% of those polled, via OnePoll, want to get there early to grab a drink before the game gets underway.<\/p>\n
Jean David Thumelaire, from Budweiser Brewing Group, which is inviting fans to watch the game at The Grove and take part in a Q&A with the former St James\u2019 Park favourites, said: \u201cWe know that for football fans, pubs are among their favourite places to enjoy the beautiful game \u2013 and we can only imagine the excitement for Newcastle fans, seeing their club back playing European football. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo celebrate our partnership with TNT Sport, helping pubs create memorable experiences for their customers, we can\u2019t wait to open the doors for a night to remember \u2013 no matter the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
TOP 25 FOOTBALL TRIVIA TOPICS FANS KNOW ALL ABOUT:<\/p>\n