By Michael Harrison
The Dublin Packet, 27 Northgate Street, Chester
Whether it’s the local people, a common day tripper or someone enthralled in the beautiful game experiencing the pub scene, celebrating their country emerging victorious, or commiserating arm in arm in defeat, the World Cup is nearly upon us. Home to numerous bars and pubs located around Chester city centre, from the local, cozy house pubs such as the Oddfellows Arms, to the charming and lively spirit of The City Tavern, there is diversity for people to gather, socialise and watch the beautiful game further into the night, and these various establishments are gearing up for extra time for the World Cup as the government have proposed a further relaxation of closing times.
The City Tavern, 32 Frodsham Street, Chester
The World Cup 2026 will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada, which will kick off the 16th of June. With a minimum of a 5-hour time difference, and from the latest Home Office announcement, establishments across England and Wales will be granted permission to stay open until 1:00 if kick-off is between 17:00 and 21:00, and the latest of 2am if kick-off lies between 21:00 and 22:00.
The Oddfellows Arms, 64 Frodsham Street, Chester
This is an extension to the previous announcement that the Home Office had already permitted pubs to stay open beyond their original closing time during the tournament to screen later evening games. This in turn allows fans to unite and support their countries, watching their favourite football stars shine on the biggest stage for longer.
The Oddfellow Arms, a small, homely pub located on Frodsham Street may be an establishment to commit to later times, with televisions and extra seating being implemented into the beer garden. While a greater audience could be expected about the pub and extremely beneficial to the business side, Rachel, a bartender working in the pub, claims “A sense of community could be lost with more people flooding in, if more people arrive to experience the tournament locals may be cast out.”
Furthermore, speaking to the manager – Tracy – of the Dublin Packet, a small Irish pub located at the heart of Chester’s city, she believed “It would be amazing for business, and the people of Chester to commence and celebrate for longer.” Although speaking to her, she was unsure about the pubs plans during the tournament, she welcomed the idea of staying open to screen the biggest tournament.
The first televised game will be tournament hosts Mexico taking on the giants of South Africa, in Mexico City. England have their premiere game against Croatia on the 17th of June, with a 9pm kick-off, taking place in the AT&T Stadium, Texas, and with the dawn of the World Cup on our doorstep, excitement is around every corner of Chester, which venue will you be cheering your country from during the tournament?
For more information, listen to my podcast The Club House on Soundcloud linked down below!
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Chester%20World%20Cup%20podcast%20THECLUBHOUSE
