UMVA has learned that a coalition of football groups, political parties, and business leaders is calling for London's Night Tube to operate on weeknights during England and Scotland's World Cup matches, ensuring fans can get home safely after late-night games.
The campaign, initiated by the Liberal Democrats, has garnered support from the Football Supporters Association, the Night Time Industries Association, and the Conservative Party. They argue that extending overnight underground services will help supporters gather in the capital to watch their national sides after late kick-offs and boost the nighttime economy.
Thousands of England fans gathered in the capital last week to watch their team's first game, which concluded at 11 pm. With England's 9 pm game against Ghana tonight ending around 11 pm, and Scotland's match against Brazil tomorrow finishing close to 2 am, advocates stress that fans risk being stranded or facing complicated journeys home if the Tube shuts at midnight.
The Liberal Democrats' Transport Spokesperson, Olly Glover MP, emphasized that expanding tube services would give people the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup without worrying about getting home safely. He urged Sadiq Khan and Transport for London to take the initiative and increase their nighttime schedule.
The campaign has been backed by the Football Supporters Association, which represents over 500,000 fans. The hospitality sector also hopes an extended Night Tube could encourage more fans to watch games at pubs and bars, rather than at home, potentially boosting profits.
Some of the loudest voices calling for Night Tube services to be expanded during the World Cup are London's hospitality leaders. Analysis showed that overnight matches make three in five viewers more likely to stay home to watch games rather than head out to bars and pubs, potentially holding back hospitality profits.
The Night Time Industries Association's CEO, Michael Kill, stressed that extra Night Tube days during the World Cup will boost the sector and ensure customers are safe. He emphasized that transport is fundamental to the success of the night-time economy, supporting businesses, workers, and customers alike.
Pubs have been allowed to stay open later during the World Cup, with extended licensing hours for games that kick off between 5 pm and 10 pm. The Heart of London Business Alliance agreed that extending the Night Tube will create a huge boost for the hospitality, leisure, and night-time economy.
Campaigners also argue that the Night Tube service will help fans get home safely after late matches. However, concerns have been raised about the pressures on TfL staff working through the heatwave and how additional hours will be funded to support policing and stewarding on the Tube network.
The campaign has found cross-party support, with the Conservative Party putting pressure on the London Mayor to support bars and pubs. The Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport encouraged Sadiq Khan to expand night tube services for the benefit of football fans during the World Cup.
Labour MP Dawn Butler joined the campaign, stating that football fans shouldn't have to choose between supporting their national team and getting home safely. Transport for London stressed that the Tube network needed to remain closed on other nights to ensure maintenance work can be carried out.
