Responding to numerous requests from football enthusiasts across Hyderabad, the Telangana government has permitted commercial and private sports venues, hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and microbreweries to remain open beyond normal business hours for the public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff and final.
The relaxation will enable fans to watch the late-night matches live at licensed establishments across the Telangana Core Urban Region (CURE), while the government has made it clear that stringent law enforcement measures, including a zero-tolerance policy against drunk driving, will remain in force.
According to orders issued by the Prohibition & Excise Department, licensed 2B Bars, C1 Clubs (In-House), TD1 & TD2 Tourism Development Corporation outlets and Microbreweries in the CURE area can operate:
Till 4.30 am on the intervening night of July 18-19 for the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.
Till 3 am on the intervening night of July 19-20 for the FIFA World Cup final.
The extension follows representations from the Telangana Bar and Restaurants Owners Association and subsequent approval by the State government.
The government said commercial and private sports, food and beverage establishments willing to publicly screen the FIFA World Cup matches may remain open during the extended hours, allowing football fans to enjoy the tournament’s concluding fixtures without interruption.
