Socceroos fans across New South Wales and Victoria will be able to watch Australia’s knockout FIFA World Cup match against Egypt at pubs and clubs after both states approved extended trading hours.
The match kicks off at 4am (AEST) on Saturday, with licensed venues showing the game permitted to remain open overnight.
In NSW, venues broadcasting the match will be allowed to start trade between 3am and 7am on game day, for venues that would normally close at 1am or 2am can stay open all night.
In Sydney, additional metro services will also operate between 1.30am and 5am, while a few train and light rail services will run earlier.
Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler welcomed the move.
“These extended trading hours and transport measures will create an amazing festival atmosphere that only football can deliver,” he said.
In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed all venues screening the match will also be allowed to stay open overnight, with last drinks to be served an hour after the match finishes.
“Good luck Socceroos – Victoria is behind you,” Allan said.
Queensland has also approved extended trading between 3am and 7am for pubs and clubs showing the match, provided operators receive approval from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation before applications close on Thursday afternoon.
“This is the kind of balanced, exciting approach that helps our night-time economy thrive while keeping Queenslanders safe,” Youth Minister Sam O’Connor said.
Licensed venues in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory can also apply for extended trading approvals where required.
Australia’s World Cup campaign has attracted strong public interest, with the Socceroos’ group-stage win over Paraguay drawing 4.84 million viewers on SBS.
Saturday’s match at Dallas Stadium in Texas marks just the third time the Socceroos have reached the knockout stage of a men’s FIFA World Cup, following campaigns in 2006 and 2022.
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