Ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that eligible restaurants, cafés and other establishments across the national capital will be allowed to remain open until 4 AM this weekend.
The decision has been taken to enable football fans to gather and watch the championship match together during the late-night hours. The Chief Minister had posted the announcement on his social media account, X stating that the extended timings is under the Delhi government’s business-friendly operating hours policy laid down as part of its ease of doing business reforms.
On social media, Gupta wrote about the thrill of the finals, applauded Lionel Messi’s incredible career in football, and promised the viewers that it would be an event they would not forget even if decades passed.
In his speech, the Chief Minister said, the policy in place in place gave eligible businesses permission to keep working late during big sports events around the world. It will give football fans a better experience of watching the match and help to promote night-time economy in the city, she added.
As the Argentine vs Spain FIFA World Cup final approaches, fans of the sport in India will undoubtedly be eager to watch the match. Delhi’s several restaurants and cafés will be expected to hold live screenings to provide the supporters a common platform to mark the concluding match.
The Delhi government’s decision is also aimed at encouraging businesses to make the most of high-profile international sporting events while promoting a vibrant nightlife and improving customer convenience under the city’s business-friendly operating policy.