World Cup at Night: Swiss Cities Prepare for the Quarter-Finals
The Swiss national football team, also known as the "Nati," faces a major challenge. In the World Cup quarter-finals, the players are fighting for a place in the semi-finals. Since the tournament is taking place in a distant time zone, the important match will not begin until three o'clock in the morning for viewers in Switzerland.
For many fans, this means a short night or getting up very early. Consequently, special preparations are being made for this sporting event in many Swiss cities. Authorities had to decide how to handle the opening hours of bars and restaurants, as well as noise protection during the night.
The flexibility of the cities varies greatly. In some locations, catering establishments are allowed to keep their premises open longer or set up outdoor screens. In other cities, special zones have been established where fans can watch the game together. The authorities' goal is to allow for a good atmosphere without excessively disturbing the residents' night-time rest.
Despite the unusual time, anticipation across Switzerland is high. Many people are already planning how and where they will watch the match. Whether in a bar or comfortably at home in front of the television – support for the national team is strong as the country hopes for a historic victory.