The Home Office has confirmed, according to reports, that extended trading hours will now also apply to selected early evening fixtures, expanding on previous plans that focused primarily on late-night kick-offs.
Extended hours
Under the revised measures, licensed premises will be permitted to remain open until 01:00 BST for England or Scotland knockout matches kicking off between 17:00 and 21:00, and until 02:00 for matches starting between 21:00 and 22:00.
The change affects a small number of potential fixtures in the last-16 stage, including scenarios where England or Scotland win their respective groups and are scheduled for earlier evening kick-offs.
The latest update builds on earlier confirmation that pubs would be allowed to extend opening hours for home nations’ knockout matches during the tournament, which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico this June and July.
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With host nations operating across multiple time zones at least five hours behind the UK, the staggered kick-off times have prompted calls from the sector for greater flexibility to maximise trade opportunities.
A welcome move
Industry bodies have welcomed the move, with Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night-Time Industries Association, describing the update as a “welcome boost” for the sector.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, added the extension would allow communities to come together and make the most of the tournament.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said the changes would ensure fans are able to watch matches in full, with the Government using its powers to extend licensing hours for events of “exceptional international, national or local significance”.
While alcohol licensing remains a devolved matter in Scotland, local authorities are expected to take their own approach to extending hours for fixtures involving the national team.
