England and Scotland fans heading to Magaluf for the World Cup have been dealt a crushing blow after local authorities announced that televisions on terraces must be muted after midnight. The rule, part of a municipal decree signed by the mayor of Calvia, aims to balance leisure activities with safety and community coexistence.
Strict Conditions for Extended Opening Hours
Bars in the party resort can only stay open beyond normal hours under strict conditions. Unrestricted special opening hours were ruled out by council chiefs. The decree applies specifically to matches involving England, Scotland, Germany, and Spain during the early stages of the tournament, as well as semi-finals, the final, and the third-place playoff.
Key Provisions of the Decree
- If a match starts during normal opening hours, establishments may extend closing time until 15 minutes after the match ends, including extra time and penalties.
- If a match starts at or after official closing time, the venue must adhere to its regular license and cannot remain open.
- On terraces and outdoor areas, all audio must be turned off after midnight, with volume set to zero. Only visual signals may be shown.
- Screens must be oriented toward the interior of establishments to prevent crowds gathering in public spaces.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Calvia Town Hall warned that failure to comply with the decree will result in penalties. Establishment owners are urged to cooperate to prevent disturbances to public safety and community coexistence.
Security Measures in Benidorm
Earlier this month, it emerged that riot police will be deployed in Benidorm as part of a World Cup security operation. The Costa Blanca resort announced evening and night-time police reinforcements due to an expected influx of UK tourists. Local officials reported a 16.4% increase in air capacity during the first phase of the competition.
Benidorm’s Councillor for Citizen Security, Jesus Carrobles, stated: “Sporting competitions always generate great interest and bring together large numbers of fans. During the World Cup, an increase has been detected in airline seats reserved on flights to Alicante, especially from the United Kingdom.”
The National Police’s Alicante UIP unit, specializing in maintaining public order, will also be present. The operation will be adapted as the tournament progresses.
Rising Bookings to Benidorm
Flight comparison website Kiwi.com reported an unseasonal spike in bookings for next summer, with growth to Alicante for Benidorm exceeding 300%. Tour operators like TUI have been advertising trips, with a five-night package from Bristol to Benidorm starting at £449.74, significantly cheaper than a Category 1 ticket to England’s opener in Dallas.
