BBPA gives guidance for making the most of Euro 2016

Licensees will be expecting millions of supporters to flock to the pub to cheer on their country’s team at this summer’s tournament.

The guidance forms a checklist of issues for licensees to consider during Euro 2016.  Key issues include keeping in touch with local police and licensing officers to let them know in advance of plans for showing matches, and planning properly for larger groups of customers to ensure a safe and successful tournament.

This year's tournament is expected to be particularly beneficial to pubs due to three home nations qualifying for the finals in France.

Multi-national

In addition to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 21 teams from countries with millions of expats living in the UK are battling it out in June.

In total, 3.5 million people currently live and work in the UK from the 21 non-home nations including 800,000 Poles, 380,000 Irish, 500,000 people with Turkish heritage, 300,000 Russians and 300,000 Germans.

Adding to the great pub experience, the opening matches coincide with the planned late opening hours for the Queen’s 90th birthday (subject to consultation), on 10-11 June, as requested by the BBPA in a letter to the Home Office.

Kick-off

On Saturday 11 June at 5pm, Wales take on Slovakia in Bordeaux, and at 8pm England play Russia in Marseille.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “Pubs are the home of live support, and a great event like Euro 2016 really brings fans together. This guidance should help licensees to manage any issues, and I want to thank the LGA and NPCC for working with us to develop it.”

The guidance is available on the BBPA website​, and has been developed with the support of the Local Government Association (LGA) and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).