Less than 50 municipalities allowing longer opening hours for World Cup viewing

In a large part of the Netherlands, it remains uncertain whether football fans will be able to watch World Cup matches in full in pubs and bars this coming summer. Of the total of 342 municipalities, only 48, or 14 percent, have definitively decided to extend opening hours for this purpose, according to figures from the hospitality trade association KHN.

During the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, many matches are broadcast late at night or in the early morning hours in the Netherlands due to the time difference. According to the standard regulations, bars cannot stay open long enough to broadcast the matches in full.

KHN is urging municipal authorities to allow longer opening hours during the World Cup. According to the association, there are currently at least 37 municipalities that would like to extend opening hours but have yet to make a formal decision. The organization did not disclose which municipalities are involved.

The KHN compiled its list of willing municipalities based on contacts between municipalities and local hospitality entrepreneurs. The association recently drafted a standard letter for affiliated hospitality entrepreneurs so that they can ask their municipality to extend opening hours.

Among other things, the letter notes that extra revenue during the World Cup helps hospitality entrepreneurs stay afloat.