The UK government has confirmed that pubs in England and Wales can remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway. The move ensures fans will not miss any action, even if the match is delayed due to extreme heat.
Extended Licensing Hours for the Quarter-Final
England faces Norway at 10pm BST on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Ministers had initially extended opening hours until 2am, but have now granted a further extension using flexible licensing laws. This allows pubs to stay open beyond that time to accommodate any delays.
The decision follows England's previous match against Mexico, which was delayed by an hour due to storms. For that game, licensing hours were also extended into the early morning to allow fans to watch the entire match.
Government Statement on the Extension
Policing minister Sarah Jones said: "England fans deserve the chance to watch every minute of the quarter-final together, and that is exactly what our extension guarantees. After the weather delay we saw before the Mexico game, we want to give fans and venues complete certainty that no-one will miss a moment of the action. I hope pubs and bars across England and Wales are packed on Saturday night, as we hopefully move one step closer to bringing football home."
Impact on Fans and Venues
The extension applies to all pubs and bars in England and Wales, providing flexibility for venues to serve customers until after the match concludes. This ensures that fans can enjoy the full game in a social setting, regardless of any unforeseen delays. The government encourages supporters to check with their local venues for specific opening times.
