Pubs and restaurants in many Swiss cantons and cities will be allowed to stay open all night on Saturday to enable football fans to watch their World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, which kicks off at 3am local time (0100GMT) on Sunday morning.
Special Waivers for Extended Hours
In Geneva, the cantonal authorities announced that all public establishments in the cafe-restaurant and bar categories could open "without time restrictions during the night of July 11 to 12 and to show the match." Similar exceptional waivers have been granted in the cantons of Jura and Bern, as well as in cities like Lausanne, Sion, and Sierre.
Historic Match for Switzerland
This quarter-final marks a significant moment for Switzerland, who have qualified for the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time since 1954. The Swiss team, known as the Nati, will face Lionel Messi's Argentina, the reigning world champions, in Kansas City.
A Chance for Revenge
For the Nati, this match is an opportunity to avenge their loss in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, where Argentina won at the very end of extra-time. The Swiss team is eager to make a mark in this tournament and progress further than they did a decade ago.
Curfews Lifted Across Switzerland
In addition to Geneva, Jura, and Bern, other cities such as Zurich have granted a "Freinacht" ("sleepless night") for indoor restaurants and bars. The canton of Basel-Landschaft has authorized extended opening hours for restaurants and bars until 6am local time on Sunday.
Why This Matters
This decision underscores the importance of the World Cup in Swiss culture and the passion of its football fans. Allowing pubs and restaurants to stay open all night demonstrates the collective excitement and support for the national team as they compete on the global stage.
