How many times have you walked around trying to find out where you can find a pub with your team’s game on?  It’s something I used to struggle with even in London.  The cost of getting in Sky and the rise of the Gastro Pub has seen a dip in the number of public houses that show live games these days, or so it would appear.

But there is an app that can help you with that (as there always is).  MatchPint, at its simplest level, is an iPhone app that shows you the nearest pub to you screening a specific game and how to get there in time for kick off.  Handy.

Not only will you see where the pub is and what fixtures they are showing but the app can help you decide which bar nearby is the most suitable. Information on the venue including how many screens they have, the menu, any drinks offers, whether the commentary will be on and what other MatchPint users think of the pub, is available. This means you can make an informed decision on where best to catch the game.

They’ve also got some cool sounding new developments in the pipeline including a gamification platform that rewards football fans for doing what they love – watching the game in a pub. The upcoming release of the new version of the app will award points for fans who check in at pubs when they go to watch a game in return for points. What do points win you? Hard earned prizes like free pints or a half price burger, for example, to enjoy with the game.

The MatchPint app also acts as a great organisational tool. Once you’ve found a place nearby to watch the game, you can inform friends (via Facebook connect) with the click of a button, letting them know what time to be there, who else is attending and give them directions. They say they’re committed to “making your match day as easy and enjoyable as possible”.

There are some limitations to it however, mainly to do with the number of bars there are in it’s database.  I now live in a very beautiful, but remote part of the country.  The app doesn’t have any bars registered so comes up with a blank.  Not ideal but then again how many people are going to use it in my area?  London is always the starting point and with around 650 bars (for the Chelsea UCL Super Cup game anyway) around the country so far it could prove to be useful.

It’s simple to use, has basic graphics that make it quick and it does it’s job.  I think there is good potential for this app and its an obvious next step for a drinks company to get involved and advertise/engage with potential customers.  It’s also received praise since its launch…

Selected as one of five ‘Must have downloads for the new Premier League season’ GQ Magazine September 2013

Selected as one of T3’s – Best Football apps: Essential 2013-14 season downloads T3.com

‘A godsend for sports fans in the UK’ – The Guardian ‘Apps Rush’ January 2012

What do you think?  Have you used it before?  Would you use it now?

Send us your thoughts below…