2025 No. 793
LICENCES AND LICENSING, ENGLAND AND WALES

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

Made
Coming into force
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 172(1) and (3)(c) and 197(2)(b) of the Licensing Act 20031.

The Secretary of State considers that the celebration period in relation to which this Order is made marks an occasion of exceptional national significance.

The Secretary of State has consulted such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in accordance with section 172(4) of the Licensing Act 2003.

In accordance with section 197(4)2 of the Licensing Act 2003, a draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent1.

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA Women’s European Football Championship Licensing Hours) Order 20253 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 Championship4 football competition held in Switzerland.

(3)

This Order extends to England and Wales.

Specified times2.

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.

Licensing Hours3.

(1)

Subject to paragraph (3), premises licences5 and club premises certificates6 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 hours7.

(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 entertainment8, or

(d)

the provision of late night refreshment9.
Diana Johnson
Minister of State
Home Office
Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order provides for the extension of licensing hours for licensed premises and clubs on the days of a semi-final or final match of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Football Championship, if a team representing England or Wales plays in that match.

The Secretary of State considers the climax of the tournament, from the day of the first semi-final match on 22nd July 2025, to the end of the final match on 27 July 2025, to be a celebration period for the purposes of section 172(1) of the Licensing Act 2003.

In particular, article 3 makes provision for any licensed premises or clubs which would normally be open for the on-site sale or supply of alcohol until or after 11pm (but closed before 1am) to remain open until 1am.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An economic note is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk and is also available from the Alcohol Licensing Policy Team of the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF.