Exemption from closing hours for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

During the World Cup, many bars, restaurants, and community centers will be showing matches to the public. To accommodate this, it has been decided to temporarily allow later closing times. Based on the General Local Regulation (APV), a general exemption will therefore be granted for the duration of the World Cup.

This exemption applies to matches involving the Dutch national team as well as to the World Cup final, regardless of which countries are participating. The exemption applies for the duration of the match and for up to one hour after it ends.

This relaxation applies to the following matches:

  • The Netherlands vs. Tunisia match on the night of Thursday, June 25, 2026, through Friday, June 26, 2026. This match falls entirely outside the regular closing times specified in the APV. Therefore, as an exception, hospitality establishments and community centers are permitted to remain open during the match (from 1:00 a.m. to 2:45 a.m.) and until one hour after the match ends. The closing time for that night is set at 3:45 a.m.
  • Any matches involving the Dutch national team after the group stage, such as in the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, or third-place match.
  • The World Cup final, regardless of which countries are competing.

For these matches, restaurants, bars, and village halls may remain open during the match and for one hour after it ends.

Regulations under the general exemption regarding closing times for restaurants, bars, and community centers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The exemption is granted subject to the following conditions, which must be met:

  1. The exemption from closing hours is in effect from Thursday, June 11, 2026, through Sunday, July 19, 2026, and applies only to matches involving the Dutch national team and the World Cup final.
  2. Paracomercial entities (with the exception of community centers) are not permitted to extend their closing hours and/or serving hours.
  3. The extension of closing hours applies only to the indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and community centers; the permitted hours for using outdoor seating areas remain unchanged.
  4. Instructions and orders issued by the police and/or the municipality in the interest of public order or safety must be followed precisely and immediately. In some cases, these instructions or orders may require the hospitality establishment or community center to close early.
  5. Any hospitality business owner who takes advantage of this relaxation is required to take all reasonable measures to prevent the municipality and/or third parties from suffering any damage as a result of the exemption. Any damage that is nevertheless caused must be compensated by the exemption holder.
  6. Visitors may be admitted until the start of the match. To minimize disruption to the surrounding area, no new visitors will be admitted during the match or halftime.
  7. The use of this exemption must not in any way disrupt public order within the facility or in its immediate vicinity. Nor must it adversely affect the residential and living environment in the immediate vicinity.
  8. If public order is at stake, individual restaurants, bars, or community centers may still be excluded from the exemption.
  9. No activities should be organized that could encourage gatherings in the vicinity of the restaurant or village hall.
  10. Visitors are not allowed to take glassware or beverages outside.
  11. During night games held after the designated closing time, the restaurant or village hall must close no later than one hour after the game has ended, and visitors must have left the premises by that time.
  12. With regard to the maximum permitted noise level within the facilities, the provisions of the Environmental Plan and the Omgevingswet formerly the Environmental Management Activities Decree) remain fully applicable.