Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am on matchdays if England or Scotland reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals, it has been announced.
The Government says it will relax licensing laws if either or both home nations make the final four in July. Last time around England made it all the way to the final before missing out on penalties against Italy.
Legislation will be put before Parliament on Wednesday as optimistic MPs prepare the ground for more heroics from Gareth Southgate's team. Home Secretary James Cleverly is allowed to extend opening hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”.
He said: “Over the coming weeks we will all be getting ready to support our home nations in what will be a busy summer of sport and a proud moment for Britain." He went on: “This boost to the hospitality sector will allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home.”
Industry chiefs say the competition could be a welcome boost to pubs and bars, which were hammered during the Covid pandemic. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: "By creating this easement and cutting red tape, doing business will be that much easier.
“The beer and pub sector is set for a bumper summer of sport, so let’s hope that England and Scotland make it not just through to the semi-finals but meet in the final itself, with pub goers able to cheer the teams on with a beer later into the night thanks to these new measures.”
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The move will only apply in England and Wales - the Scottish Parliament will have to pass its own measure to extend opening hours. England are among the favourites to lift the trophy, with bookies offering odds of 3/1 for Gareth Southgate's men to return from Germany victorious.
Scotland are 100/1 outsiders. UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Euro 2024 is set to be a huge event for hospitality businesses this summer, as fans pack pubs and bars to cheer on the home nations.
“We support the Home Office proposals to extend licensing hours for the semi-finals and final, should we reach that stage of the tournament. Major sporting events provide a huge revenue boost and extended hours are essential to allow venues and fans to take full advantage.”
The semi-finals are scheduled to take place on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 July in Munich and Dortmund, with the final on Sunday 14 July in Berlin.