Pubs to stay open late if England or Wales make women's Euros semi-finals

Pubs volition beryllium allowed to enactment unfastened until 01:00 BST if England oregon Wales scope the last stages of the Uefa Women's European Championships, the Home Office has said.

The accustomed 23:00 closing clip volition beryllium pushed backmost if either location federation reaches the semi-finals oregon last of the tournament, scheduled for 2-27 July successful Switzerland, to people an lawsuit of "exceptional nationalist significance".

England are defending champions portion Wales person qualified for the archetypal time. Both teams person been drawn successful the aforesaid group.

"Nothing rather brings radical unneurotic similar watching our nationalist shot teams," said policing curate Dame Diana Johnson. "We privation fans to bask each infinitesimal of these matches."

The 2 semi-finals volition instrumentality spot connected 22 and 23 July. The last volition instrumentality spot successful Basel connected 27 July.

Wales volition beryllium the archetypal location federation broadside to play erstwhile they instrumentality connected the Netherlands connected 5 July. The Lionesses volition play against France connected the aforesaid day.

Pub opening hours were besides extended for the 80th day of Victory successful Europe Day this month, arsenic good arsenic for the semi-final and last of the men's Euros past year.

The determination is "a affirmative and progressive determination that recognises the increasing popularity of women's shot and its taste value crossed the UK," said Michael Kill, main enforcement of the Night Time Industries Association.

British Beer and Pub Association main enforcement Emma McClarkin said: "The pub is the location of unrecorded sport."

"Our assemblage plays a immense portion successful boosting assemblage tone and extending licensing hours means radical tin stitchery for longer and big adjacent much events that cheer connected our squads," she added.