Venues in England and Wales may extend their opening hours to 1am on match days if either or both teams progress to the final four of the tournament. This decision follows a consultation at the end of last year and aims to support the hospitality industry.

Home Secretary James Cleverly announced that pub licensing hours will be extended if England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024, in response to public feedback from the consultation.

This move is set to encourage community gatherings to watch the games, with the semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, and the final on Sunday, July 14.

The head of UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls, emphasized the importance of extended hours for venues and fans, while Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the Government’s decision to accommodate the likely high demand from pubs during the European Championships.

Notably, for royal weddings, the Queen’s 90th birthday, the Fifa World Cup in 2014, and the last Euro final in 2022, the Government has adjusted pub closing times. Under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Home Secretary can relax licensing hours for events of “exceptional national significance.”

The legislation for extended pub hours will be presented in Parliament for debate and approval before the tournament commences. Local licensing boards will have discretion on whether to allow pubs in Scotland to extend their opening hours.