Socceroos fans in Victoria and NSW have had a huge win with the news that the states’ pubs will be open for the Aussies’ World Cup knockout match against Egypt, which kicks off at 4am on Saturday, AEST.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Socceroos fans in Victoria and NSW will be able to watch Saturday morning’s crack-of-dawn World Cup match in pubs and bars thanks to a rule change
The move should help fuel wild celebrations if the Socceroos beat Egypt to record their first win in the knockout stages of a World Cup
Drinkers in Victoria will be able to stay in the bar all night, with the state’s licensed venues given permission to stay open right through until an hour after fulltime
Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday announced 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.
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 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.
