Recalling Hyderabad's association with Argentine football star Lionel Messi, the Telangana government has permitted licensed bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants and microbreweries to remain open beyond their regular business hours during the FIFA World Cup final weekend. The decision follows requests from football enthusiasts and the Telangana Bar and Restaurant Owners Association.
Under the government order issued by the prohibition and excise department, licensed establishments in the Telangana Core Urban Region (CURE) can operate until 4.30 am on the intervening night of July 18-19, when the third-place playoff between England and France will be played. They will also be allowed to remain open until 3 am on the intervening night of July 19-20 for the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, which begins at 12.30 am. The order also permits these establishments to hold public screenings of the matches.
The relaxation applies to 2B bars, C1 clubs, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation outlets and licensed microbreweries within the CURE area. In the official order, prohibition and excise commissioner C. Hari Kiran directed deputy commissioners and district prohibition and excise officers in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and adjoining jurisdictions to ensure implementation of the revised timings.
The government has clarified that the extension does not dilute existing safety regulations. Licensed establishments must comply with all applicable laws and licence conditions, while police will continue to enforce strict action against offences such as drunk driving, public nuisance and violations of public order.
The Telangana Bar and Restaurant Owners Association welcomed the move but urged authorities to communicate the order directly to local police stations to ensure uniform implementation across the city. The association said merely issuing the order may not be sufficient if field-level enforcement agencies are not informed in advance.
The decision comes amid growing interest in public screenings of the World Cup in Hyderabad, where football fans have been looking for venues capable of hosting late-night broadcasts because of the tournament's timings in India. Similar relaxations have also been announced in Bengaluru, where pubs, hotels and restaurants have been permitted to remain open until 3.30 am during the World Cup semi-finals and final.
