Pubs can stay open until 1am for England vs Italy
Pubs will be allowed to stay open late after England faces Italy in tomorrow’s semi-final of the UEFA Women’s European Championships.
Licensing hours have been temporarily relaxed to allow premises which would normally have to close at 11pm to keep serving until 1am in England and Wales.
The government announced the measure earlier this year, saying it would apply if either England or Wales reached the semi-finals.
Pub licensing hours can be relaxed to mark events which have been deemed to have ‘exceptional national significance’.
The same extended hours will apply if England progresses to the final on Sunday, July 27.
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Policing minister Diana Johnson said at the time: ‘Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams, which is why we want fans to be able to enjoy every minute of these matches.’
(Picture: PA)
The Lionesses are hoping to lift the trophy as reigning champions for the first time, having taken it home in Wembley in 2022.
They will kick off against Italy at 8pm UK time at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland.
England have gone unbeaten in their last five women’s games against Italy, four of which were victories, including a 5-1 battering in February 2024.
Spain, the defending world champions, are favourites to take the trophy this weekend, but England is seen as having a solid chance to contend.
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