The government has backed councils in England to allow pubs to open earlier on Sunday ahead of the Lionesses World Cup final.
While many venues will be able to show the game within their usual opening hours, some may require additional permission to be able to serve alcohol.
In cases where an application is being rapidly considered to allow a short extension to licensing hours, the government is asking local authorities to work with police forced to fast track the process.
The match, which is being played in Australia, is due to kick off at 11am BST.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “I’ve asked councils to do everything they can to help pubs get open earlier on Sunday, so people can come together and enjoy a drink before kick-off for this special occasion.”
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, said: “The nation will be cheering on the Lionesses on Sunday and the next best thing to being in Australia is enjoying the match in the pub or hospitality venue. Many are taking advantage of the fact that they can open to encourage people to come out for breakfast or brunch to get ready for this historic match. Demand from fans has been exceptional, with bookings filling rapidly, and there’s no doubt the day will be a huge boost for the sector, potentially delivering an additional £41 million in sales.”
