Night free across Swiss cantons for World Cup quarter-final against Argentina
Dozens of Swiss cities and cantons suspend closing hours as the national team faces Argentina in its first World Cup quarter-final since 1954.
Historic qualification
Switzerland secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout on 7 July. The result ended a 72-year wait, the last time the team reached this stage was in 1954, when it hosted the tournament. The win triggered an outpouring of excitement across the country.
The match and its timing
The quarter-final against reigning world champions Argentina is scheduled for the early hours of Sunday, 12 July. Kick-off is set for 03:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST), with the match being played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, United States. The awkward hour, dictated by the time difference with North America, prompted authorities to adapt licensing laws.
Canton-wide night free in Bern
The canton of Bern announced its first-ever territory-wide night free for a football match, waiving the legally mandated closing times for all hospitality businesses.
The measure, usually reserved for New Year's Eve and Swiss National Day, allows bars and restaurants to serve guests throughout the night. Officials appealed to fans to be considerate of local residents.The canton of Bern is not aware that this has ever happened before.
Responses in other cities
Geneva authorised all-night opening for bars, cafés, and restaurants, though terraces remain subject to municipal rules and the city declined to allow outdoor screenings to protect residents' sleep. Zurich and the city of Bern each declared a free night, effectively suspending curfews for all hospitality venues. In Basel, head of the building and transport department Esther Keller approved continuous outdoor service, enabling the match to be shown on terraces. Locarno will hold a public viewing on the renowned Piazza Grande at 3 am, with organisers of the "Moon & Stars" music festival securing the necessary permit.
Patchwork of rules
Not every authority offered blanket exemptions. In Chur, establishments in the Welschdörfli nightlife district that normally close at 3 am are permitted to show the match indoors until the final whistle, while others must apply for a special permit by Friday. Outdoor screens in the old town must switch off by midnight for matches starting after 10 pm, a rule that also affects the evening's earlier Norway–England tie. Lucerne's cantonal government said establishments could broadcast the game indoors and outdoors but must obtain the usual police permits and ensure noise does not "excessively burden" surroundings.
Looking ahead
With the historic moment approaching, Swiss fans are eager to see if their team can overcome Argentina.
- Switzerland defeats Colombia on penalties to reach quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
- Multiple cantons and cities announce night-free permissions for the quarter-final broadcast.
- Kick-off against Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City.
