Restaurants and bars will be allowed to stay open later during the Netherlands' late-night World Cup matches

The city of Heerlen is allowing restaurants and bars to stay open later during the Dutch national team’s night games. This will allow fans of the Dutch national team to watch the games in cafés and on outdoor patios.

Photo of Roels Wever with a soccer ball

The 2026 World Cup will be held in North America, in Mexico and Canada. Some of the Netherlands’ matches will kick off in the middle of the night here. The city asked local bars and restaurants if they were interested. A number of establishments plan to broadcast the Netherlands’ late-night matches.

Which matches does this apply to?

This relaxation applies only to Oranje matches held outside normal opening hours:

  • Thursday, June 26, 2026, at 1:00 a.m. (Tunisia – Netherlands)
  • Monday, June 30, 2026, at 3:00 a.m. (if the Netherlands advances)

What should you do as a restaurant or bar owner?

You must register with the municipality. This must be done 10 business days before the event. This way, the municipality will know which businesses will remain open. It also allows emergency services to prepare properly.

What additional rules apply?

  • Broadcasting is permitted starting 30 minutes before the game
  • The venue may remain open for up to 30 minutes after the game (including overtime)
  • Noise levels may be higher than usual
  • Guests are allowed to drink while standing on the patio (normally they have to sit down)

Mayor Roel Wever : "We are happy to work together with our residents and the hospitality industry when the Netherlands is competing in a World Cup. Heerlen is a city of events and a vibrant city. This expansion fits in well with that."