Where in Cambridge to watch England v Spain in the Euro 2024 final as council confirms there will no public screening

There will be no public screening in Cambridge of the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain on Sunday, the city council has confirmed.

It revealed that it considered opening up the Corn Exchange for a screening, but decided “it would not have been a quality viewing experience for a disproportionately high cost”.

However, it has advised pubs that they can stay open until 1am after the game.

Among the pubs showing the final, which kicks off at 8pm on Sunday, are:

Baron of Beef
Ta Bouche
Town and Gown
The Cambridge Brew House
Champion of the Thames
King Street Run
The Regal
Revolution
The Grain and Hop Store
Lola Lo
BrewDog
Bath House
Duke of Cambridge
Prince Regent

Fans are advised to check with their pub of choice in advance, as some may operate ticket entry or have a pay-on-entry policy for the game.

The council has also ensured that taxi marshals will be working from 7pm until late on Sunday, while ‘open space guardians’ will patrol the city centre and green spaces to ensure everyone has a safe journey home.

There had been calls for the city council to put on a public screening of the game, in which Gareth Southgate’s players are vying to become the first England football team to win a tournament since the 1966 World Cup-winning side.

As the Cambridge Independent reported, Cllr Tim Bick, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, had urged the council to follow the lead from other cities that have put on public screenings of earlier games.

“This is an ideal opportunity to bring the city together behind the success of our national team. We have seen on our TVs other UK cities doing this even for the earlier stages of the competition, and it seems something that Cambridge could now do at this final stage,” he said.

“There is much pride in the England team - in what it has achieved and the values it stands for. The city council would like to bring the city together. Sometimes the opportunities to do that don’t come off council reports and policy resolutions and it’s just important to respond to people’s own appetite to share hopes and excitement with each other.”

The Labour leadership at the council did investigate the possibility of a public screening.

But Cllr Alice Gilderdale, deputy leader of Cambridge City Council, warned: “Setting up a screen in one of our open spaces at short notice is complex and could be costly.”

There are film nights taking place over the summer in both the market square and in the CB1 station area, but Cllr Gilderdale said the “cost of hiring screens, organising staff and security and setting up accessible viewing spaces is not easy”.

The council has since confirmed there will not be a public screening.

But it did advise the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA European Football Championship Licensing Hours) Order 2024 allows licenced premises and clubs to open past 11pm on Sunday 14 July until 1am on Monday 15 July, for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, or supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club for consumption on the premises.

Licensees do not need to notify the council or put in a request.

These premises can also show the game on live TV - it will be screened on BBC One and ITV1 - as it is not a regulated entertainment, but the legislation does not cover:

- anyone that provides amplified live or recorded music to an audience of more than 500 people
- anyone that provides recorded music to an audience on premises not licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol
- anyone that puts on a performance of a play or a dance to an audience of more than 500 people, or an indoor sporting event to more than 1,000 spectators
- anyone that puts on boxing or wrestling
- anyone that screens a film to an audience.