More than #1 billion will be spent in the next two weeks on entertainment equipment such as wide screen TVs as soccer fans gear up to stay at home to watch the World Cup, according to a report today.
A survey of 2,500 adults by Direct Line Home Insurance found that one in five were planning to buy a new TV, while many others were on the verge of shelling out for a DVD player or satellite box.
Men reckoned they would spend over #450 on entertainment equipment to watch the games, twice as much as women.
Direct Line spokesman Simon Ziviani said: "World Cup fever is set to sweep the land with millions of homeowners snapping up the latest home entertainment kit and inviting friends and relatives over to enjoy the games in surround-sound, full colour glory."
Residents in the North East, Lancashire and the Midlands were most likely to watch England on TV next month, while those in Scotland and Wales were least likely.
