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Time-of-use tariffs and football: what to schedule before, during, and after the match
The 2026 international football tournament promises nights of football, get-togethers with friends, and many hours in front of the TV. But it also brings a small drawback for your electricity bill: many matches will coincide with the most expensive hours for electricity in Spain.
The good news is that you don't need to give up your air con or spend the match watching your smart meter. With a little planning and making the most of a time-of-use tariff, you can follow every match without your consumption skyrocketing.
Because the real trick isn't turning off the TV. It's knowing which appliances to use before, during, and after the match.
The problem: the biggest matches of the tournament coincide with the most expensive hours
Most matches will be broadcast in Spain between 18:00 and 22:00 – right in the middle of the peak period, when the price of electricity tends to be highest.
Much of the household consumption is concentrated in those hours: cooking, lighting, cooling, the oven, washing machine, or dishwasher all running at the same time. And if it also coincides with a June or July heatwave, the air con becomes the biggest culprit on your bill.
That's why understanding how time bands work is key to saving without radically changing your habits. If you want to delve deeper, you can check out our article: Peak, shoulder, and off-peak hours: what they are and how to save.
Reference table: time bands and what to do during matches
|
Time band |
Hours (2.0TD access tariff) |
Price |
What to do during the match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Off-peak |
00:00–08:00 (Mon-Fri) + weekends and bank holidays |
Lowest price |
Washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, charging your electric car or batteries. |
|
Shoulder |
08:00–10:00 / 14:00–18:00 / 22:00–00:00 |
Medium price |
Normal consumption and appliances scheduled for after the match. |
|
Peak |
10:00–14:00 / 18:00–22:00 |
Highest price |
Best to avoid the washing machine, tumble dryer, or dishwasher during the game. |
The key is moving your most intensive consumption outside of peak hours. And today, with timers on most appliances, doing so is much easier than it seems.
A specific tariff like Conecta 3 Periodos, designed to make better use of the different time bands and take advantage of cheap electricity hours, can also help.
Before the match: schedule everything you can during shoulder or off-peak hours
If there's a perfect time to save during the tournament, it's before the match begins.
Most appliances let you schedule an automatic start. And that means you can get the laundry, the dishwasher, or even your electric car charging ready to run during the cheapest hours without having to get up in the middle of the night.
Which appliances to use and when
|
Appliance |
When to use it |
Why it's worth it |
|
Washing machine (~1 kWh/cycle) |
Late night (00:00) |
Most can be scheduled up to 24 hours in advance. |
|
Dishwasher (~1.2 kWh/cycle) |
Después del partido |
If it finishes at 22:00, it falls into the shoulder period. |
|
Tumble dryer (~2.5 kWh/cycle) |
Only during off-peak |
It is one of the most energy-intensive appliances. |
|
Electric car (~10-15 kWh) |
All night |
Ideal for making the most of the cheapest period. |
|
Air con (~1.5 kWh/h) |
Before the match |
Pre-cooling helps reduce consumption during the game. |
|
TV (~0.1-0.2 kWh/h) |
Anytime |
Its consumption is relatively low. |
For washing machines, small changes in habits can make a big difference at the end of the month. Here you can see when it is cheapest to run the washing machine and how to make the most of off-peak hours.
During the match: the air con is the only cost that matters
Many people think the TV drives up electricity consumption during a match. But the reality is different: the major expense usually comes from the air con.
A modern TV uses relatively little energy. On the other hand, keeping the air con running for several hours on a summer afternoon can indeed impact your bill.
So, if you want to save on electricity without missing the football, it is more worthwhile to optimise your cooling than to worry about the TV.
How to use the air con without skyrocketing your bill
- Cool the room 30 minutes before kick-off.
- Keep eco mode on during the match.
- Turn the temperature up by 2 or 3 degrees and use fans.
- Lower the blinds to keep the outside heat from getting in.
Sometimes, a small adjustment is all it takes to notice the savings. In fact, turning the thermostat up a degree or two can significantly reduce consumption.
You can find more recommendations in 10 tips to survive the summer with or without air conditioning.
And if you are torn between a fan and air con, here you can compare the actual hourly cost in A/C vs. fan: cost per hour.
After the match: the perfect time for everything else
When the match ends, the best time to consume actually begins.
Many matches will finish around 22:00 or even later. And that means moving straight into the shoulder or off-peak period, where the price of electricity drops considerably.
That is the best time to:
- Run the dishwasher after dinner.
- Schedule the washing machine for the next day.
- Charge your electric car.
- Charge your electronic devices and batteries.
This is where a time-of-use tariff really makes a difference: it's not about consuming less, but consuming smarter.
Furthermore, checking the actual price of electricity each day helps you fine-tune your consumption even more. You can check it here: Today's electricity price: when is it cheapest?
If the matches keep you up late: cheap football
It's not all bad news. Due to the time difference with the United States, Mexico, and Canada, some matches will be shown in Spain in the early hours of the morning.
And that brings an unexpected advantage: many broadcasts will coincide with off-peak hours, the cheapest period of the entire electricity tariff.
In those cases:
- You can use appliances without worrying so much about the price.
- The air con usually operates with lower outside temperatures.
- Even charging your electric car coincides with the most economical hours.
Paradoxically, the most inconvenient matches for sleep might also end up being the cheapest for your bill.
FAQ
Can I run the washing machine while watching the match?
Yes, you can, but it is usually not recommended if the match coincides with peak hours. Ideally, you should schedule the washing machine for late at night or right after the match to take advantage of cheap electricity hours.
What time will the matches be broadcast in Spain?
It will depend on the venue and the official schedule, but many matches will be shown in Spain between 18:00 and 03:00 due to the time difference with North America. Afternoon and prime-time matches will be the ones that coincide most with peak electricity hours in June and July 2026.
Does the TV consume a lot during a match?
Not particularly. A modern TV has a relatively low consumption compared to other household appliances. The real impact usually comes from the air con, especially during summer nights and the hottest matches of this festival of football.
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You don't need to adapt to Endesa's tariffs because they adapt to you. If you go to our catalogue you can compare the different tariffs for yourself. Or if you prefer, you can answer a few questions and we will take care of comparing all the different electricity and gas tariffs and then make a customised recommendation.
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