World Cup Economics: Chinese watch parties boost sales for take-out and bars

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Russia is raking in massive amounts of tourist money for the World Cup, but the economic gains don't stop there. Business around the world are cashing in on watch parties, and in China, football fans are making bar owners and restaurant take-out managers happy. Sun Tianyuan has more.

Holding a glass of beer in your hand, while enjoying finger-licking craw fish with your friends. Chinese fans have named beer and craw fish as the best combo for World Cup watch parties. To share the excitement of watching the world's best footballers, many fans are choosing to hang out at bars instead of catching games on their couches.

XIE XIAOWEN FOOTBALL FAN "The atmosphere here is great. The table in front of us and behind us are both fans. You feel the vibe just being here."

It's an opportunity for bars and food vendors to boost their summer sales.

ZHOU JUHONG BUSINESS DISTRICT MANAGER "Besides the well-known hotpot brand, 40 percent of walk-ins show up after 2:00 AM. Many of the vendors cannot close until morning. For example, one of the vendors here normally has an income of 50,000 yuan per day, and it can reach 80,000 yuan during the World Cup."

Take-out services have also seen a major boost at night. One of China's biggest food delivery service platforms, Meituan, says it sold more than one million craw fish on opening night. It sold more than 28-thousand cans of beers the same evening, seeing a 72-percent increase from the previous week.

LIU BING FOOTBALL FAN "You have to drink beer, because beer goes well with the World Cup."

After watch parties, remember, do not drink and drive. The police are being more vigilant for drunk drivers during the tournament. So, enjoy your World Cup party, but your main goal should be to get home safely. STY, CGTN.