Licensing hours extended for the Women’s Euros 2025

Eleanor Jordan, Solicitor

The Home Office has confirmed that if England or Wales reach the semi-final or final of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros, premises that would normally close at 11pm will be permitted to keep serving until 1am.

The tournament will be hosted in Switzerland between Tuesday 2 and Sunday 27 July, and the two semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 22 July, followed by the final match on Sunday 27 July.

This is an example of a Licensing Hours Order under section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, which allows the Secretary of State to temporarily extend the permitted operating hours of licensed premises to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”. A similar extension was previously used for the 2024 EUFA Men’s Euros Final, as well as, more recently, for VE Day on Thursday 8 May.

This extension will give people the opportunity to continue their celebrations into the early hours and it has been welcomed by many in the hospitality sector. Kate Nicholls, the UKHospitality Chief Executive has said: “The pub is the best place to watch the Women’s Euros, and I’m pleased the Government will extend licensing hours if either of the home nations reaches the semi-finals or finals”.

It is important to note that this extension will not apply to off-sales of alcohol, late-night refreshment nor regulated entertainment. The extension will only apply to premises permitted to sell alcohol on the premises until 11pm. This is particularly important given that the final is on a Sunday, as often premises are required by their licence to close before that time on that day.

If your premises won’t benefit from this relaxation, but you wish to capitalise on those supporting England and/or Wales, a TEN will be required and our Licensing Team can assist you with this. Please call us on 0161 832 3434.