English football fans are in for a potential treat this summer if England reach the 2024 Euro semi-finals.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has vowed to keep pubs open to a later time if either England or Scotland manage to reach the semis.
Cleverly hinted of the idea on The Sun’s ‘Never Mind The Ballots’ podcast and has since moved forward with his plans to make it into a reality.
If Cleverly is successful, football and pub fans alike will gain an extra two hours of drinking and socialising if one or both teams make it into the semi-finals.
Meaning the temporary new closing time would see UK pubs close at 1am on the night of the semi-finals.
Pubs in the UK are set to sty open until 1am if England or Scotland reach the Euro semis
Pubs will remain open later to allow fans enjoy the action without the fear of being kicked out if the game goes to extra-time or penalties
Home Secretary James Cleverly has vowed to allow pubs stay open until 1am, taking to legislation to parliament today for debate
The 2024 Euro semi-finals are due to take place on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10.
Both games are pencilled in for 8pm kick-off times GMT (which is one hour ahead of the UK).
The first of the two semi-finals will be held at Bayern Munich’s home stadium, the Allianz Arena.
While Signal Iduna Park will host the second game of the tournament, which is home to this year’s Champions League finalist Borussia Dortmund.
Since the host nation Germany is one hour ahead of UK time, the temporary extended closing time would allow boozy fans to enjoy the semi-finals without having to worry about being kicked out of the pub if the games go to extra time and penalties.
The Home Secretary will bring forward his plans to Parliament on Wednesday to ensure there is enough time for the topic to be discussed.
Cleverly under section 172 of the licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of ‘exceptional national significance’.
As mentioned the legislation will be laid in Parliament so there will be plenty of time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday, June 14.
Scotland will play hosts Germany in the opening game of the competition on Friday, June 14
England will get their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Serbia in Group C
English fans could be in for a treat this summer as Southgate’s side are one of the strong favourites to win the tournament out
Scotland will get the tournament underway when they take on hosts Germany in Group A on Friday, June 14.
The game is scheduled for 8pm UK time and will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich which seats over 75,000.
Gareth Southgate’s men on the other will get their campaign up and running when they meet fellow Group C opponents Serbia on Sunday, June 16.
England are one of the tournament favourites following their impressive displays at both the last Euros, where they were finalists and the 2022 World Cup where they reached the quarter-finals.
