London, Feb 24 (AP) Soccer fans in England and Wales might be allowed to spend more time in pubs if their teams go far at the Women's European Championship being held in Switzerland in July.

The British government is launching a four-week consultation to discuss whether pubs can extend their opening hours from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. should England or Wales reach the semifinals or final of Euro 2025.

Also Read | RCB-W 126/3 in 15.3 Overs | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz Live Score Updates of WPL 2025: Richa Ghosh Departs for Eight Runs.

Britain's home secretary has the power to extend licensing hours for occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance,” the government said Monday.

England's women's team — whose players are nicknamed the Lionesses — will be defending the title won on home soil in 2022. It was the nation's first major international title since the men's team won the World Cup in 1966.

Also Read | Pakistan’s Campaign in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is Over, Says Captain Mohammad Rizwan After Defeat to India (Watch Video).

“The Lionesses showed us in 2022 what it means to bring football home,” said Diana Johnson, the government's policing minister, “and now we want to make sure the whole nation can come together again to cheer on our teams.”

The consultation period will hear views from the public, licensing authorities and hospitality industry before any plans are approved by the government.

Hospitality bosses said pubs staying open later would provide a boost in difficult financial times for the trade.

“The exponential growth in the popularity of women's football presents an incredible moment for both the sport and the night-time economy,” said Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association.

“The success of the Lionesses in recent years has inspired a new generation of supporters, and it is only right that we embrace this enthusiasm by ensuring fans have the opportunity to enjoy the matches in social settings.”

Euro 2025 runs from July 2-27. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)