The Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA Women’s European Football Championship Licensing Hours) Order 2025

Published: Wed 2nd Jul 25

This Order extends licensing hours for pubs and clubs in England and Wales during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Football Championship.

The extension applies to the semi-final and final matches if a team representing England or Wales participates, allowing licensed premises to remain open for an extra two hours beyond their usual closing time (until 1 a.m.) The extension excludes off-premises alcohol sales, and it only applies to premises open shortly before or after the specified time.

Arguments For

Intended benefits: Allows pubs and clubs to extend their hours during key matches of the Women's European Championship, potentially boosting business and supporting the event's atmosphere.
Evidence cited: The Secretary of State's consideration that the tournament marks an occasion of exceptional national significance. Consultation with relevant persons in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.
Implementation methods: The Order directly amends licensing hours for specified periods under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.
Legal/historical basis: The Order cites sections 172(1) and (3)(c), and 197(2)(b) of the Licensing Act 2003 as its legal basis, which provide authority for temporary extensions to licensing hours in specific circumstances.

Arguments Against

Potential impacts: Could lead to increased alcohol-related incidents or public disorder if not managed properly. May disproportionately impact areas with limited resources for public safety oversight.
Implementation challenges: Enforcement of the extended hours, ensuring compliance with licensing conditions, and potentially straining local police and emergency services resources.
Alternative approaches: Could explore alternative ways to foster national celebration events without modifying licensing hours. Perhaps through community based events and dedicated fan zones.
Unintended effects: Increased noise complaints from residents, higher rates or alcohol-related harm in the short-term. Potential unforeseen burden on already busy licensing authorities.

Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent 1.

(1) This Order may be cited as the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA Women’s European Football Championship Licensing Hours) Order 2025 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

(2) In this Order—

“celebration period” means the period beginning with 22nd July 2025 and ending with 28th July 2025;

“home nation team” means a women’s senior football team representing England or Wales;

“tournament” means the 2025 UEFA European Women’s Championship football competition held in Switzerland.

(3) This Order extends to England and Wales.

This section details the order's official title, effective date, definitions of key terms, and its geographical scope.

The 'celebration period' is defined as July 22nd to 28th, 2025. 'Home nation team' refers to England or Wales' women's football team. 'Tournament' refers to the UEFA Women's European Championship 2025 in Switzerland.

The order applies only to England and Wales.

Specified times 2.

For the purposes of article 3, the “specified times” are—

(a) the period of two hours beginning at 11 p.m. on the day of the tournament semi-final match, which is scheduled to take place on 22nd July 2025, provided that a home nation team plays in that match;

(b) the period of two hours beginning at 11 p.m. on the day of the tournament semi-final match, which is scheduled to take place on 23rd July 2025, provided that a home nation team plays in that match; and

(c) the period of two hours beginning at 11 p.m. on the day of the final match of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place on 27th July 2025, provided that a home nation team plays in that match.

This section defines the 'specified times' during which extended licencing hours will be permitted.

These times are two-hour periods beginning at 11 p.m. on July 22nd, 23rd, and 27th, 2025, but only if a team from England or Wales is involved in the semi-final or final matches.

Licensing Hours 3.

(1) Subject to paragraph (3), premises licences and club premises certificates to which paragraph (2) applies have effect (to the extent that it is not already the case) during the celebration period as if the specified times were included in the opening hours.

(2) This paragraph applies to premises licences and club premises certificates by virtue of which the opening hours immediately precede or continue into the specified times.

(3) The opening hours are not to be treated by virtue of paragraph (1) as including the specified times insofar as they relate to the use of premises for—

(a) the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises,

(b) the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club for consumption off the premises,

(c) the provision of regulated entertainment, or

(d) the provision of late night refreshment.

This section outlines the changes to licensing hours.

Paragraph (1) states that, subject to paragraph (3), licensed premises can stay open during the specified times.

Paragraph (2) clarifies this applies only to licenses where the opening time directly precedes or runs into the specified times.

Paragraph (3) specifies that the extended hours do not apply to the sale or supply of alcohol for off-premises consumption, or the provision of regulated entertainment or late-night refreshment.

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