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Indian Cities Split Over Late-Night Hours for World Cup Final

Local governments are weighing fan demand against public-safety concerns by allowing some venues to stay open under strict security rules or by refusing extensions.

Overview

  • The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain is scheduled to begin around 12:30 am IST on Monday, prompting one-off operating-hour changes for venues across India.
  • Delhi’s government has allowed eligible restaurants and cafes to stay open until 4 am after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the measure to let fans watch the match together.
  • Bengaluru police authorised extended food-service hours, permitting hotels and restaurants to serve until 3:30 am for the final and 5 am for the third-place play-off under the Karnataka Police Act.
  • Telangana approved late-night public screenings in Hyderabad with New Year’s Eve–style security plans and zero-tolerance enforcement for offences such as drunk driving.
  • Mumbai police refused permission for bars to remain open late, leading some gymkhanas and venue owners to plan informal member-only screenings while local reporting notes heavy betting activity in the city.