Eager football fans packed pubs from 7am and descended on Wembley hours early ahead of England's clash with Germany.
The Three Lions are taking on their bitter rivals in a mouthwatering last-16 Euro 2020 clash at 5pm.
Many football fanatics downed tools today, with venues across the country expecting a bumper night after a difficult year so far.
Gareth Southgate's men are unbeaten in the competition so far - and will be hoping for victory in north London.
With Covid rules limiting the number of people who are allowed in stadium, demand for seats in the pub is at an all-time high.
Some football fanatics got started early this morning, with some sipping pints at 7am in the build-up to the big game.
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The Big Tree pub in Sheffield, South Yorks., welcomed fans into its beer garden from the moment they opened their doors.
The Greene King taproom has been dubbed the 'best decorated' in Britain after they draped the premises with flags and bunting.
Patriotic punters could be heard singing the mega-hit 'Three Lions' as they sank pints hours ahead of kick off.
One eager supporter took the day off work and was knocking back a pint of Stella Artois from 7am.
Mark Hartley, 40, woke up bright and early - because he was so excited about the match.
He said: "I can’t wait, I have taken the day off and it’s going to be a fantastic occasion.
"If you’re not getting the day off, what are you doing?
“Two big teams going against each other, how could you miss this?"
Officials have given permission for 45,000 fans to attend the fixture at the Home of Football, double the capacity of previous games.
Businesses were urged to allow staff to finish early in order to watch the much-anticipated match.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Good luck to @England ahead of today's game against Germany. Staff should be allowed to finish early so they can watch the match."
Punters have already started to flock to Wembley Way hours before kick-off.
Pictures show supporters clad in white England shirts and draped in flags mingling outside the stadium and letting off flares.
The historic fixture, one of international football's most intense rivalries, saw the sides meet in the 1996 World Cup final at Wembley.
In the 1970 World Cup, it was West Germany that put an end to England's campaign in extra time.
Germany knocked England out of the World Cup in 1990 and Euro 1996 on penalties in the semi-final stages.
It was during the latter that Gareth Southgate famously missed a penalty that saw England crash out of the tournament .
England also lost to the Germans at the World Cup 2010 in a humiliating 4-1 defeat - the last time the sides met at a major tournament.
A group of builders from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, revealed they cancelled their work plans at 8.30am to head to the pub.
They said they sent a text to their boss to tell them they were detouring for drink instead of labouring.
Sean Foster, 40, said: “We texted the boss and we’ve yet to hear back but we couldn’t miss this.
“It was a spur of the moment thing but I think deep down we knew we’d be watching the match.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous but mostly excited. It’s going to be 50/50.”
Chris Shaw, 40, who is at the pub with his daughter Allisia, 18, said there was no better reason to enjoy a day out after lockdown.
The builder said: “I’m happy we’ve decided to take the day off, it’s going to be worth it.
“These kinds of days don’t come around often and you don’t want to miss them.
“After Covid I think we deserve to have days out like this with pals, enjoying pints and being out.
“If ever there was a reason to come out and enjoy life, this is it.
“We’ve all made so many sacrifices and I’m just glad to be here today.
“It’s going to be an unforgettable day.
“But I’m a little worried about the state I will be in tomorrow.
“I’m excited about the match, there is so much history between the nations but I like our chances. It’s coming home.”
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has already urged bosses to slacken the whip - allowing employees to watch the action on company premises.
And Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner today joined the call, tweeting: "Good luck to the @England lads today, the whole country is behind you!
"Bosses - let your workers finish early to watch the game!"
Her tweet was 'liked' by none other than the England football team.
Daughter Allisia, also a construction worker, said she convinced her dad to get the day off work.
She said: “I was buzzing to get the day off work, I was the one who told my dad we should do it. I instigated it a little bit.
“I’ve been drinking the VK blues and I plan on outdrinking everyone here. I’m quite excited I think it’s going to be a fantastic day with an even better atmosphere – it's what you live for.
“Coming out of lockdown, and being able to be out here feels like pure freedom.
“I think it’s definitely coming home, and if I had a word of advice for Southgate, I’d tell him to just go for it.”
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady - an England and Arsenal supporter - said: "Millions of workers around the UK will want to cheer on their national teams in Euro 2020, especially after the tournament was postponed last year.
"Bosses should talk to their staff and try and let people who want to watch the games do so, either at work or at home and then claim back their time afterwards.
"Whether it's about major sporting events like Euro 2020, attending a medical appointment or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how and when they do their work makes them happier. It cuts absenteeism and raises productivity."
