England v Italy: Fans gather outside pubs and bars ahead of tonight’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley

Ecstatic England fans are tonight packing out pubs and bars across the country as the Three Lions prepare to take on Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

With hopes high of an England win at Wembley – ending a 55-year trophy-less spell of hurt for Three Lions supporters – football fans are already out in force ahead of tonight’s crunch game.

The rush is now on for fans to take their seats ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Huge crowds have been pictured outside pubs in London and Brighton this afternoon, with little social distancing in sight.

And at Boxpark in Croydon, lucky fans who scored tickets in a ballot have taken their seats and ordered their rounds as they prepare to watch Gareth Southgate’s men take on Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri side.

Even luckier fans with match tickets have also been knocking back drinks at Boxpark on Wembley Way ahead of tonight’s clash, while others have packed into the official Uefa fan park at Trafalgar Square.

More than 500 supporters clambered over fences onto the steps of the National Galllery to watch Trafalgar Square big screens, setting off red smoke flares in the process.

However fans drinking outside will now have to brave the rain, with showers beginning to fall, particularly over north London – something that could also impact on tonight’s match at Wembley.

It comes as The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. 

By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research. 

Huge crowds have gathered outside The Faltering Fullback pub in Finsbury Park, London, ahead of the England game tonight

Down on the south coast, a large group of England fans were seen gathered outside the King and Queen pub in Brighton, Sussex, ahead of tonight's kick-off

Down on the south coast, a large group of England fans were seen gathered outside the King and Queen pub in Brighton, Sussex, ahead of tonight’s kick-off

It comes as The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England's first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. Pictured: England fans party on Wembley Way this afternoon

It comes as The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. Pictured: England fans party on Wembley Way this afternoon

By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research. Pictured: Fans arrive at Wembley Way earlier today

By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research. Pictured: Fans arrive at Wembley Way earlier today

Fans were this afternoon seen climbing polls on Wembley Way as they partied ahead of England's game against Italy tonight

Fans were this afternoon seen climbing polls on Wembley Way as they partied ahead of England’s game against Italy tonight

Fans brought an inflatable unicorn - similar to that used by England players in team photographs taken earlier this week - to Wembley Way this afternoon

Fans brought an inflatable unicorn – similar to that used by England players in team photographs taken earlier this week – to Wembley Way this afternoon

It was a messy scene in Leicester Square this afternoon, as fans climbed on to the entrance of the tube station, while litter was scattered over the ground

It was a messy scene in Leicester Square this afternoon, as fans climbed on to the entrance of the tube station, while litter was scattered over the ground

Fans in Newcastle painted England flags on their faces as they prepared for kick-off at Wembley

At Boxpark in Croydon, lucky fans who scored tickets in a ballot have taken their seats and ordered their rounds as they prepare to watch Gareth Southgate's men take on Roberto Mancini's Azzuri side

Fans in Newcastle (left) painted England flags on their faces as they prepared for kick-off at Wembley. At Boxpark in Croydon (pictured right), lucky fans who scored tickets in a ballot have taken their seats and ordered their rounds as they prepare to watch Gareth Southgate’s men take on Roberto Mancini’s Azzuri side

England fans were seen wearing lion hats - to represent the Three Lions - as they prepared to party ahead of England's match against Italy tonight

England fans were seen wearing lion hats – to represent the Three Lions – as they prepared to party ahead of England’s match against Italy tonight

One pub in Newcastle was packed out this afternoon as England fans rushed to take a seat ahead of tonight's game at Wembley

One pub in Newcastle was packed out this afternoon as England fans rushed to take a seat ahead of tonight’s game at Wembley 

It's not just England fans celebrating. Italy fans were also seen partying outside Bar Italia in Soho ahead of tonight's game at Wembley

 It’s not just England fans celebrating. Italy fans were also seen partying outside Bar Italia in Soho ahead of tonight’s game at Wembley

One Italian fan was seen with face paint in the Italian flag colours on Wembley Way today

Others wearing Italy tops were seen partying in Soho in London ahead of the match

One Italian fan (pictured left) was seen with face paint in the Italian flag colours on Wembley Way today. Others wearing Italy tops (pictured right) were seen partying in Soho in London ahead of the match

Queues of England fans dressed in white and red were this afternoon seen queuing outside the Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park, north London, this afternoon ahead of kick-off. The pub is around 12 miles east of Wembley Stadium.

Meanwhile, down on the south coast, a large group of England fans were seen gathered outside the King and Queen pub in Brighton, Sussex, ahead of tonight’s kick-off.

It comes as rowdy England supporters climbed on top of cars and busses around Wembley Stadium this afternoon.

Dozens of fans were seen on top of a stationary 206 bus as it attempted to make its way through huge crowds crossing the road on Wembley Way this afternoon.  

Fans were also filmed setting off flares, including one at Victoria Station and several on Wembley Way.

In Piccadilly, which has become somewhat of an unofficial ‘fan park’ during the tournament, one fan was seen throwing himself off hoarding boards and into a waiting crowd below.

In Piccadilly, which has become somewhat of an unofficial 'fan park' during the tournament, one fan was seen throwing himself off hoarding boards and into a waiting crowd below

In Piccadilly, which has become somewhat of an unofficial ‘fan park’ during the tournament, one fan was seen throwing himself off hoarding boards and into a waiting crowd below

England fans in fancy-dress and sporting red and white set off flares outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final

England fans in fancy-dress and sporting red and white set off flares outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final

England fans on top of a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros clash against Italy

England fans on top of a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros clash against Italy 

England fans climb aboard a bus outside the ground ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium

England fans climb aboard a bus outside the ground ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium

Female England supporters clamber onto a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final

Female England supporters clamber onto a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final

England football fans pose for photos on Wembley Way before the UEFA Euros final at Wembley against Italy

England football fans pose for photos on Wembley Way before the UEFA Euros final at Wembley against Italy 

Tens of thousands of fans were seen walking along Wembley Way to the stadium tonight ahead of England's game against Italy at Wembley

Tens of thousands of fans were seen walking along Wembley Way to the stadium tonight ahead of England’s game against Italy at Wembley 

Football fans gather in Leicester Square and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash with Italy at Wembley

Football fans gather in Leicester Square and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash with Italy at Wembley

Football fans gather in Leicester Square turn over bins, wave flags, drink and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash

Football fans gather in Leicester Square turn over bins, wave flags, drink and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash 

Lucky fans with match tickets have also been knocking back drinks at Boxpark on Wembley Way ahead of tonight's clash

Lucky fans with match tickets have also been knocking back drinks at Boxpark on Wembley Way ahead of tonight’s clash

England fans drink their beers at Boxpark Wembley today ahead of England's match against Italy in the Euro 2020 final

England fans drink their beers at Boxpark Wembley today ahead of England’s match against Italy in the Euro 2020 final 

It comes as thousands of England fans lined the streets to cheer on the Three Lions as they made their way to Wembley ahead of tonight’s tie.

In footage shared by the official England Twitter page Saturday, rows and rows of supporters can be seen waving England flags and cheering on the squad as they depart from St George’s Park. 

One player can be heard saying: ‘You’re all the best’, while another adds, ‘Did that just happen?’

The official England account tweeted: ‘Wow, what a send off.

‘Amazing scenes as the Three Lions depart St. George’s Park for the final time.’  

England captain Harry Kane added: ‘Unreal send off. The support for the team has been incredible all tournament.’ 

The team have been based at St. George’s Park, around a 50-minute drive from Wembley, throughout the Euro 2020 tournament. 

They have played every match at home apart from the quarter-final against Ukraine, which they won 4-0 in Rome. 

Legions of fans were also seen waiting for the team as they arrived at their hotel.

Supporters erupted in cheers as each player stepped off the bright blue coach donning face masks and their official England tracksuits.    

Meanwhile, Italy touched down at Luton airport before being taken to their hotel on their own team bus. 

Legions of fans wave their hands in the air and cheer as the England squad makes its way from St. George's Park to Wembley

Legions of fans wave their hands in the air and cheer as the England squad makes its way from St. George’s Park to Wembley

The rows upon rows fans waved England flags and clapped as the Three Lions watched on from their coach in amazement at the support, as one player says: 'You're all the best.'

The rows upon rows fans waved England flags and clapped as the Three Lions watched on from their coach in amazement at the support, as one player says: ‘You’re all the best.’ 

Fans draped themselves in the England flag and put their kids on their shoulders as they saw off the Three Lions squad on Saturday

Fans draped themselves in the England flag and put their kids on their shoulders as they saw off the Three Lions squad on Saturday 

Tyrone Mings exits the official England team coach to roars from dedicated fans as he arrives with the squad to their hotel on Saturday

Tyrone Mings exits the official England team coach to roars from dedicated fans as he arrives with the squad to their hotel on Saturday

Fans hold up their smartphones to take pictures and videos as the England coach arrives to the squad's hotel on Saturday

Fans hold up their smartphones to take pictures and videos as the England coach arrives to the squad’s hotel on Saturday 

Harry Kane arrives to the team's hotel after tweeting: ''Unreal send off...The support for the team has been incredible all tournament.'

Harry Kane arrives to the team’s hotel after tweeting: ”Unreal send off…The support for the team has been incredible all tournament.’

While they will have the crowd against them this evening, they are no strangers to Wembley, having played there twice so far this tournament.    

Roberto Mancini’s side narrowly beat Austria in their first match in the UK capital before clinching victory over Spain in a penalty shoot out in the semi-final. 

England fans are hoping for a historic night in what is the country’s first international final in 55 years. 

The streets of London have already seen wild scenes Sunday with fans climbing atop buses and throwing drinks into the air. 

Much like Wednesday, which saw England beat Denmark 2-1 to reach the final, the likes of Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are jam packed with supporters.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk