Preparing for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at your licensed premises

The FIFA World Cup kicks-off on 20 November and with both England and Wales competing to go all the way, now is the time to start thinking about considerations if you are planning to broadcast the matches.

Regulations for showing World Cup matches in bars, pubs, clubs and hotels

You do not need to have any particular permission for regulated entertainment on your premises licence if you are simply showing live TV. However, you will need a valid TV licence for the premises to cover any matches shown on terrestrial TV. If there is living accommodation on the premises where a TV is also in use, this must be covered by a separate licence.

You may also require a PPL / PRS licence to deal with any copyright issues. If you want to show any sports that are not on live TV (such as old football matches perhaps before or after the match) then this would be a licensable activity and you would need permission for films on your premises licence.

World Cup 2022 fixtures for planning

Here are the group fixtures for Wales and England, including the deadlines for applying for temporary event notices:

Top tips for broadcasting the FIFA World Cup 2022 at your licensed premises

We have set out our top tips for you to consider so that you can have a safe and successful period of trading during the World Cup.

Premises licence: Review this to check that all of the details are correct, the DPS is listed as the correct person and all of the conditions are being complied with. The responsible authorities are likely to carry out spot checks over the course of the World Cup, so it is essential that you are fully compliant. For example, the required notices are being displayed and no new entry of customers is taking place after the time conditioned on the licence. Ensure you go through the terms of the premises licence with your staff and door supervisors so that everybody is aware of what is required to be compliant. You may want to consider the use of serving drinks in polycarbonate glasses even if it is not a condition stipulated on your premises licence.

Staff training: Your staff should be trained on the effects of alcohol and how to spot early signs of customers becoming drunk – signs include slurred speech, glazed eyes or being unsteady on their feet. Any drinks promotions should be socially responsible and not encourage excessive drinking. Your staff should be aware of the mandatory conditions in relation to the availability of small measures for beer, certain spirits and wine. Remind your staff of the Ask for Angela scheme.

Temporary event notices: The group stage matches are scheduled to kick off at 10 am, 1 pm and 7 pm. Kick-off times for the knockout matches will be 3 pm and 7 pm. It is therefore anticipated that most premises will not need to consider extending trading hours under temporary event notices (TENs). You may, however, need a TEN to sell alcohol from a bar in your beer garden if your outside areas are not already licensed appropriately.

Be mindful of neighbours and residents: We would suggest that you make your neighbours aware of your plans for broadcasting the matches. If you are proposing to broadcast the matches inside your premises or are planning to show them on a TV screen in your beer garden be mindful of any noise outbreak or any issues that could arise during and/or after the match when your customers leave.

CCTV: Check that the system is recording, all of the cameras are working and the date & time stamp is correct. Signs need to be displayed letting customers know they are in an area covered by CCTV. The sign should be visible and legible to members of the public and contain details of who operates the system, the purpose for using the CCTV and who to contact about it. CCTV will also assist in evidence gathering should an incident occur at your premises.

Controlling customers: Please be aware that if you are not used to showing football, you may attract a new crowd to watch the matches, or your regulars may stay with you for longer. Therefore, you should carefully consider any possible changes in your operation and, if necessary, carry out a risk assessment.

Please note that this information is for general guidance only and should not substitute professional legal advice. If you have specific concerns, we recommend consulting one of our legal experts.