Pubs In England Can Legally Stay Open Till 1am On Wednesday For England Euros Semi Final

Pubs in England will be able to stay open until 1am for England’s crunch match versus the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Former Tory Home Secretary James Cleverly had said in May that licensing hours would be extended if England or Scotland were to reach the tournament’s semi final, with most pubs normally closed by 11pm.

The home secretary has scope to relax licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Opening times were also extended during the King’s coronation weekend last year.

Prior to the start of the Euros, Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “With the Euros fast approaching, for many people there can be no better place to cheer on their team than with a refreshing beer at their local pub. 

“It’s great news that the government has anticipated the likely interest from pubs to keep their doors open a little longer for the semi-finals and finals during the European Championships.  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.”