Calls for extended pub hours and 'huge' fan parks as Scotland seal World Cup place
Prospect of later openings would be ‘massive boost’, says industry leader
The Scottish Government and local authorities have been urged to deliver a “massive boost” to businesses by easing licensing restrictions to allow Scotland fans to gather in pubs and large scale fan zones to cheer on the nation’s men’s team at next summer’s World Cup.
Scotland’s dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday evening guaranteed a place at the 2026 tourney, ending the country’s ignominious near three decade-long absence from football’s showpiece event.
First Minister John Swinney said Scotland was “utterly rejoicing” after the result, while Sir Keir Starmer congratulated the team on a “magnificent victory.”
While tens of thousands of members of the Tartan Army will be looking to attend the competition in person at venues across the US, Canada, and Mexico, calls are growing for authorities at home to ensure fans can congregate to watch Steve Clarke’s team.
Although the draw for the World Cup is not until 5 December, it is expected that the kick-off times will mirror those seen during this summer’s Club World Cup, when the earliest game began at 5pm BST, followed by fixtures at 8pm, 11pm, and 2am.
But due to the extreme heat expected across swathes of the host cities in North America, it is likely that FIFA will look to schedule matches involving European nations after midnight in order to mitigate the concerns around soaring temperatures.
With the prospect of Scotland playing late at night, and even into the early hours, Colin Wilkinson from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association urged councils and licensing officials to let fans watch the games in local pubs.
Mr Wilkinson, managing director of the SLTA, which represents publicans, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and late night entertainment venues across the country, said: “We urge local authorities and licensing boards across Scotland to put special measures in place to enable the nation to share in our national football team’s success in reaching their first World Cup for 28 years and hope that our pubs and bars will be allowed to open and show games late at night.
“The best place for fans to watch these games will be in our local pubs and bars where the atmosphere will be electric, you’ll be amongst friends and will no doubt make new ones. After all, not everyone will be able to travel to the USA, Canada or Mexico.”
He added: “Amid the current doom and gloom weighing down the whole of the UK, Scotland’s victory has given us all something to smile about and for our pubs and bars struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis and cost of doing business, to be able to open for a few extra hours during the World Cup will bring a massive boost to many businesses, particularly the small, independent operators.”
Asked if pubs and fan zones should be allowed to open until 4am in the event of later matches, Mr Swinney did not commit to any plans. "I'm sure there's a lot to be wrestled with before we get to the events of next June and we'll give thought to all that's involved there,” he said.
However, the calls for extending opening have been backed by other business and political figues. Dougal Sharp,the founder of Edinburgh-based Innis & Gunn, described Scotland’s attendance at the World Cup as a “defining moment” for a generation of football fans.
“Scots haven’t waited almost 30 years to watch it half-asleep on a tiny screen at home,” he reasoned. “These games deserve atmosphere, noise, and people coming together across the nation to back the boys in North America.
"If kick offs fall in the middle of the night, then extending opening hours would be a hugely positive step, not just for pubs and breweries, but for fans and communities across the country.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called on the Scottish Government and councils to work together to provide fans with the “best experience.”
He said: “Huge fan parks could be set up across the country so we can gather to watch our games on the biggest screens in stadiums or parks. Pubs could be given special dispensation to show their matches in the event that they are scheduled for late at night.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrat sport spokesperson, Neil Alexander, echoed his colleague’s calls, suggesting that fans could also gather in community sports clubs, with licensed venues reaping the benefits of the live games.
“After a tough few years for pubs and clubs, what an opportunity this is for the government to work with them to make the most of this amazing achievement,” he said.
Large scale screenings of major tournaments have become increasingly popular in recent years. During the 2020 European Championships, which was played the following year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a fan park was set up in Glasgow Green. However, social distancing requirement meant its capacity was curbed at just 6,000.
Last year’s iteration of the tournament catered for domestic fans via a series of fan zones across the likes of Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Hamilton, although the majority of them were hosted in smaller venues such as pubs and local authority leisure venues.
The prestige of the World Cup, and the fact Scotland will be making its first appearance at the tourney in 28 years, means that the demand from fans will be considerably greater next summer.
Despite the likelihood of the games kicking off in the evening, the Scottish Greens have urged ministers to mark the national men’s team’s achievements by designating a bank holiday on the day of their opening World Cup match.
Gillian Mackay, the party’s co-leader, said: “There are millions of us looking forward to seeing our men’s team playing on the biggest stage. Lots of people will already be counting down and thinking about how they can make sure they get the day off work.
“Football is for all of us. What better way to bring the country together than to make it a bank holiday and ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to watch it?”
Asked about the bank holidays calls from the Greens, Mr Swinney said: “I don't think we have the power to do so. But I've seen the reports so I'll go away and look at it is the best answer I can give you. And see where we get to.”
The exact dates and venues for Scotland’s group matches will not become known until next month, but several host cities that will stage matches have direct connections to Scotland: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto from Edinburgh Airport, and New York and Toronto from Glasgow Airport. There are no direct flights to the three Mexican host cities.
For those planning to travel to other host cities, there are connecting flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as some from Aberdeen and Inverness, to Heathrow and European hubs for onward connections, such as Dublin and Paris.
Some travel operators are already offering packages to eager fans, with Barrhead Travel has released a number of World Cup travel packages, ranging from three nights in New York for £2,659 per person to 11 nights in California for £3,999.
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, the firm’s managing director, said: “We saw demand surge during the Euros last year - but we expect this will create even more excitement and anticipation.”
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