In the wake of a major sporting event with a late kick-off, some businesses implemented flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to either start their day later or take time off to watch the game. This approach was seen as a boost to employee morale, with company leaders suggesting it was a worthwhile trade-off for potential productivity dips.

Joshua Elash, head of MT Finance Group, permitted his staff an 11:00 a.m. start on a Monday following the event. He described the decision as a "no-brainer," emphasizing its positive impact on morale and noting that such days are "special."

Similarly, Octopus Energy allowed engineers to begin home visits a couple of hours later than usual. Office-based staff and those working from home in customer-facing roles were also given the option to adjust their start and end times.

Kevin Craig, founder and CEO of communications agency PLMR, gave his approximately 100 employees across four offices permission to start at noon if they wished to stay up for the match. Craig stated that he "instinctively knew it was the right thing to do," viewing it as a way to support employees and their families, acknowledging that such flexibility may not be feasible for all organizations.

However, not all businesses adopted a flexible approach. Major retailers like Sainsbury's and Aldi maintained their regular store operations. Car manufacturer Nissan also proceeded with business as usual.

The event itself, which had a 02:00 BST kick-off, saw fans watching in various settings, including packed pubs, at home, and even at school. Some public viewing events, such as one at Wembley's boxpark bar, attracted large crowds.

One of the players, Jude Bellingham, who scored two goals early in the match, humorously suggested fans text their bosses to say they were not coming in. While some sectors, like manufacturing and retail, found it more challenging to offer schedule adjustments, others prioritized flexibility. Some workers at a distribution center in Rochdale were able to watch the game while on shift, with one worker commenting, "It's not good for my heart, but football's my heart."