The Bengaluru City Police has allowed bars, restaurants, pubs and hotels within the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate limits to remain open until 3.30 am on select nights to facilitate screenings of the FIFA Club World Cup 2026 semi-finals and final.
The relaxation will apply on the intervening nights of July 14–15, July 15–16 and July 19–20. The order, issued by City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh under the Karnataka Police Act, aims to support late-night football screenings while ensuring law and order.
Why the timings were extended
The decision follows a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Bengaluru Chapter, which sought longer operating hours as the remaining FIFA Club World Cup matches are scheduled to continue beyond the existing 1 am closing time.
All four remaining fixtures are set to kick off at 12.30 am IST, with screenings expected to continue until around 2.30 am.
"These matches attract a huge crowd when we screen them at our establishments. Since the matches go on beyond the current 1 am deadline, we have sought a relaxation for these specific days. Two of these matches are scheduled for the weekend, which is expected to benefit restaurants even more," an NRAI representative said.
Industry bodies met Karnataka government
Representatives of the NRAI, the Karnataka State Hotels Association (KSHA) and the Bengaluru City Hotel Association met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday to seek an extension of restaurant operating hours, along with other industry-related demands.
According to NRAI sources, the chief minister responded positively to the proposal to extend timings for the match days.
What the police order says
In its notification, Bengaluru City Police said the relaxation is limited to the intervening nights of July 14–15, July 15–16 and July 19–20, corresponding to the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals and final.
Under the order, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars within the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate limits can remain open and serve food until 3.30 am on these dates to accommodate football fans while ensuring public order is maintained.
