Soccer enthusiasts across England and Wales may soon have the opportunity to enjoy extended hours in pubs if their teams excel in the Women’s European Championship set to take place in Switzerland this July.
The UK government is initiating a four-week consultation process to evaluate whether pubs can prolong their operating hours from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. This change would be considered if either England or Wales reaches the semifinals or final of Euro 2025.
The Home Secretary of the UK holds the authority to grant extended licensing hours for events deemed to hold “exceptional international, national or local significance,” as announced by government sources on Monday.
The English women’s soccer team, known as the Lionesses, will be striving to defend the title they won on home turf in 2022. This victory marked the first major international triumph for the nation since the men’s team secured the World Cup in 1966.
According to Diana Johnson, the government’s policing minister, “The Lionesses demonstrated in 2022 what it means to bring football home,” adding that the aim is to gather the nation once more to support the teams.
During this consultation phase, feedback will be collected from the public, licensing bodies, and the hospitality sector before any definitive measures are sanctioned by the government.
Leaders in the hospitality industry have noted that allowing pubs to remain open later could provide much-needed financial relief during tough economic times.
Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed that “The explosive growth in the popularity of women’s football marks a vital opportunity for both the sport and the late-night economy.” He continued, “The recent achievements of the Lionesses have sparked inspiration among a new generation of fans, and it’s essential that we cater to this excitement by allowing supporters to enjoy the matches in a social atmosphere.”
Euro 2025 is scheduled to run from July 2 to July 27.
