The British government has confirmed that pubs across England and Wales may remain open until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the World Cup quarter-final match against Norway. This decision ensures supporters can view the entirety of the broadcast, even if the kick-off is postponed due to extreme weather conditions.
The match is scheduled to begin at 22:00 BST at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Previous licensing extensions were set to expire at 02:00 BST, but this new order removes that restriction. Policing Minister Sarah Jones stated the move aims to provide fans and venue owners with certainty, preventing a repeat of the confusion experienced during the Mexico match, which was delayed by an hour due to storms.
This blanket extension applies automatically, meaning businesses do not need to submit individual applications. The Home Office indicated that these extended hours will continue to apply to any subsequent England matches in the tournament. These measures are facilitated by the Home Secretary’s authority to relax licensing laws during events of exceptional national significance.
