MATCHES in next month’s football World Cup which kick off no later than 11pm can be screened in licensed premises, the Bailiff has said.
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 who intend to screen the matches outside of usual opening times.
