If England Wales make it to the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros, Britain’s boozers will be open until 1am to allow fans to mark the occasion of ‘exceptional national significance’
21:48, 14 May 2025Updated 21:49, 14 May 2025
Punters will enjoy a late drink if Wales and England get to the semis(Image: Getty Images)
Pubs will stay open until 1am if either England or Wales qualify for the semi-final or final of the Women’s Euros.
Fans will be able to guzzle booze into the early hours while cheering on our girls. The government said it was cutting red tape to mark the occasion of “exceptional national significance” as hospitality chiefs welcomed the move.
Emma McClarkin, boss of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The pub is the home of live sport. Nothing compares when it comes to bringing atmosphere and camaraderie to watching the football live.”
Pubs see revenues soar by up to 30% during big football tournaments.
England won the Euros the last time out(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Michael Kill, Night Time Industries Association boss, said it would be a “valuable opportunity for hospitality businesses to maximise trade during a major event”.
The Home Office has announced the idea now so that pubs can plan more easily for staff and stocking. Policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “We want fans to be able to enjoy every minute of these matches.
“We will extend licensing hours should either team progress through the tournament, to allow supporters to watch and celebrate together, for longer.”
The Home Office announced the plans(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The two home nations will face off during the tournament’s group stages on July 13 in St. Gallen.
The semi-finals are on July 22 and 23 before the final on July 27. Kate Nicholls, of UKHospitality, said the boozer “is the best place” to watch the competition, adding: “The success of the Lionesses, in particular, has captured the heart of the nation.”
It comes as the UK is set to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino described its interest as the “one valid bid” for those finals.
The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales announced last month they would submit a joint expression of interest in hosting the finals in 10 years’ time.
Wales and England need to make it to the semis(Image: Getty Images)
The deadline for initial expressions of interest passed on Monday and, although Spain’s federation president Rafael Louzan last week announced his country’s intention to bid alongside Portugal and Morocco, Infantino indicated the UK bid was the only one being considered.
“We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035,” he said at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade. “The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.”
Infantino also confirmed that the USA looks poised to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup as the sole bid. While Brazil are the confirmed host of the 2027 tournament.
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