Pubs across England and Wales will be permitted to stay open an additional 30 minutes after the final whistle of the World Cup quarter-final match between England and Norway, the government has announced. This extension aims to ensure fans can watch the entire game, even if kick-off is delayed due to extreme heat or other unforeseen circumstances.
The Three Lions are scheduled to begin their match at 10:00 PM BST in Miami, Florida. This decision follows a previous extension that allowed venues to remain open until 2:00 AM BST. Policing Minister Sarah Jones stated that the extended hours guarantee fans and venues certainty, preventing anyone from missing any part of the action, especially after the Mexico game on July 2 was delayed by an hour due to storms.
High temperatures have been a recurring issue during the World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. FIFA has implemented mandatory hydration breaks during matches to help players cope with the heat and humidity.
The latest announcement, issued by the Home Office, provides a blanket extension that applies to any future England matches in the tournament, including the final. This means individual pubs and bars do not need to apply for special licensing arrangements. Previously, licensing hours had already been extended from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM for games kicking off between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and until 2:00 AM for games starting between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM. The home secretary has the authority to extend licensing hours for events of significant national importance.