Extended opening hours for England's semi-final
Pubs in England have been granted a rule change for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday night. The match kicks off at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and fans can stay in pubs until 1am, as confirmed by industry bodies.
For matches starting between 5pm and 9pm, pubs can remain open until 1am. For kick-offs after 9pm, they can stay open until 2am. Venues wishing to stay open beyond these times must apply for a temporary event notice at least five working days in advance.
Boost for pub trade
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Thanks to the World Cup, we’ve seen millions of extra pints sold off the back of home nations matches. Given the nail-biting stakes, we expect Wednesday to be the most successful night of the tournament.”
Luke White, managing director of Damm UK, warned that margins were “razor thin” but added that football-driven spikes in sales were “helping keep some pubs afloat”. Stella Creasy, the Labour (Co-op) MP for Walthamstow, noted that pubs in her constituency were struggling. “Independent breweries such as those in the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow are the lifeblood of communities like mine,” she said. “Councils and ministers must find a way to sort this so they can continue to provide a fantastic fan experience and support them to help us cheer England on in our locals, not be stuck outside on the streets.”
Political context
A diplomatic row has erupted ahead of the game, with Sir Keir Starmer hitting back at Buenos Aires after Argentina’s foreign minister claimed that Falklanders were “artificially implanted” on the islands.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), added: “This is fantastic news and will be hugely welcomed by operators. The government has listened to the overwhelming public support for England and recognised the challenges facing pubs and licensed premises across the country.”
