Dutch bars want to extend opening hours to show football World Cup matches
Bars across the Netherlands are hoping to extend their opening hours so that they can show the matches of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Due to the time difference with the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Oranje will often play in the early morning hours. The Netherlands vs Tunisia match on June 26, for example, is happening at 1:00 a.m. Dutch time. But not all municipalities are eager to change the rules, AD reports.
“Matches involving the Dutch national team are a guarantee of a full pub, a good atmosphere, and good revenue,” Robbie Welling of city café Simons in Doetinchem told the newspaper. “The television will be on regardless.” Welling would ideally like to also open his terrace. “The tournament is being played in the summer, so the weather will still be nice late in the evening.”
But that is impossible under the current rules. In most municipalities, pubs must close around 2:00 a.m. on weekends. Terraces often have to close an hour earlier to curb nuisance for locals. In some municipalities, pubs even have to close at midnight. Sports club canteens are covered by the same rules.
Hospitality businesses are now trying to approach municipalities together to negotiate for a relaxation of the rules. The trade association for hospitality businesses, KHN, has drafted a standard letter that entrepreneurs can send to their municipal council. Political parties have joined the call in at least 15 municipalities, including Eindhoven, Maashorst, Soest, and Den Bosch.
But not all municipalities are enthusiastic about the idea, according to AD. A few, like Tubbergen, extended the opening hours for the World Cup. Others believe the existing rules offer enough room for exceptions. Some, like Wijchen, are still hesitating. The office of mayor and aldermen said it still wanted to make “a careful assessment” between the enjoyment of watching football together, locals’ night’s rest, and public order.
