Millions of Socceroos fans will have the chance to calm their nerves at licensed venues all night long for the make-or-break World Cup clash with Egypt. Watering holes across NSW and Victoria that broadcast the match will be allowed to open their doors for the 4am (AEST) head-to-head on Saturday. The rules differ between each state but will mean fans won’t have to elbow their way to find a spot at a live site to watch the round of 32 in company.
Extended Trading Hours Across States
While eligible venues will automatically be allowed to stay open in NSW and Victoria, operators in other states will be allowed to do so upon application. 7NEWS.com.au confirmed on Tuesday that the Queensland government has extended trading hours for pubs to allow them to trade between 3am and 7am on game day. In NSW, all broadcasting venues will be allowed to open from 3am while those that would otherwise close at 1am or 2am can stay open all night.
Transport Measures to Support Fans
Additional metro services will also run from 1.30am to 5am while select train and light rail services will begin earlier, to aid revellers in getting to live sites in the city and Homebush. “These extended trading hours and transport measures will create an amazing festival atmosphere that only football can deliver,” Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler said.
Victoria and Queensland Announcements
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday announced that all venues that broadcast the game will be allowed to stay open all night. Last service will come an hour after the 90-minute match ends and will complement live sites at Fed Square and AAMI Park. “Good luck Socceroos – Victoria is behind you,” Ms Allan said. Pubs and clubs across Queensland will also be allowed to trade from 3am to 7am on game day, so long as they’re open for the primary purpose of broadcasting the game. Operators must be granted approval in advance by the state’s Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, with applications closing at 2pm on Thursday. “This is the kind of balanced, exciting approach that helps our night-time economy thrive while keeping Queenslanders safe,” youth minister Sam O’Connor said.
Other States and Match Details
Eligible venues in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory can also apply for extended trading approvals where required. The World Cup is among Australia’s most-anticipated sporting events, with the Socceroos third match against Paraguay on Friday attracting 4.84 million viewers on SBS. Saturday’s fixture marks the third time the Socceroos have reached the knockout stage of the World Cup, first in 2006, then 2022 and now 2026. The match will be hosted at Dallas Stadium, Texas.
