With just ten days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, bars in Jersey have received the good news that they can stay open later to screen matches.
Games which kick off no later than 11pm can be screened in licensed premises, the Bailiff’s Office has said – providing the venue has successfully applied for a free licence.
The major 104-match tournament, which will be hosted by Mexico, USA and Canada, kicks off on 11 June, with the final being played on Sunday 19 July.
The Bailiff’s Chambers, which still oversees all licensing matters until an already approved new regime becomes law, has agreed – in consultation with the police and the hospitality industry – that for games started no later than 11pm local time, bars which have applied for a free extension can remain open until 2am with last orders at 1.30am.
Those premises must screen scheduled World Cup matches for that day and not replay matches.
And licensed premises with more than 60 patrons must provide at least two door staff who are registered by the Justice and Home Affairs Department.
Each venue wanting to screen late games must apply for an extension to the Bailiff’s Chambers through the usual extension application process.
The office has stressed that a blanket extension will not be issued, so that authorities have an understanding of venues that intend to screen the matches outside of usual opening times.
Scotland’s campaign begins on Sunday 14 June versus Haiti, kicking off at 2 am Jersey time, so supporters will have to watch that game at home. Its other group games – against Morocco and Brazil – both start at 11 pm, so can be watched in a pub.
England’s campaign starts on Wednesday 17 June against Croatia at 9 pm. All of England’s group games – also against Ghana and Panama – begin before 11 pm.
Portugal also start that day – against DR Congo – kicking off at 6 pm. Its next game, against Uzbekistan also starts at 6 pm, although its final group game against Colombia starts at 12.30 am.