14 July,2026 07:36 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondent
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar announced the decision on Tuesday. File Pic/X
The Karnataka government has allowed hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru to remain open until 3:30 a.m. on three nights to enable football fans to watch late-night FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced the decision on Tuesday, describing it as welcome news for football enthusiasts across the city.
The relaxation will apply on July 14, July 15 and July 19, when key FIFA World Cup fixtures are scheduled to be played late at night in India because of the time difference with the host country.
Under the temporary order, food establishments will be permitted to continue serving customers until 3:30 a.m. on the specified dates.
The move comes after the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) requested the state government to relax the usual closing time for hotels and restaurants during the football tournament.
The state government issued the temporary exemption under the provisions of the Karnataka Police Act.
Following the government's decision, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh issued the necessary orders allowing late-night match screenings and extended operating hours for hotels and restaurants.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Shivakumar said football inspires millions around the world and that the FIFA World Cup is a major sporting event eagerly awaited by fans.
He said the extension had been approved while ensuring that public safety, law and order, and the convenience of residents remained the government's top priorities. He also urged football supporters to enjoy the matches responsibly and cooperate with the authorities.
According to the PTI, the temporary relaxation is expected to benefit both football fans and Bengaluru's hospitality industry, with restaurants, cafes and hotels able to welcome crowds gathering to watch the matches.
However, the government clarified that the extension applies only to the notified dates and does not change the standard operating hours for commercial establishments on other days.
Separately, the NRAI, along with the Karnataka State Hotels Association (KSHA), has also submitted a memorandum seeking a permanent extension of business hours and other ease-of-doing-business reforms across the state, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
