Recommendations of the Editorial team
The euphoria has been in the air for several weeks, ready to erupt next Thursday with the first kick-off of the 2026 World Cup. Then it’s time again: a state of emergency in our ball-crazy country. If you want to sleep peacefully, you should have Oropax ready: Due to the time difference to America, kick-off times last late into the night – sometimes at 3 or 4 a.m. But for many people, the enthusiasm for the ball only applies when it is kicked by a man’s foot. Can men’s football really be forgiven for everything – and the women have to take a step back?
Women’s European Championship 2025: Less public viewing
No fan mile in Berlin, hardly any public viewing, some municipalities did not grant any exemptions for games: the women’s European Championship in 2025 was completely different to the men’s European Championships and World Cups. You shouldn’t compare them – according to some evil tongues, it’s not even the same sport. Nevertheless, it is hard to ignore how differently the women’s European Championship was handled compared to the last men’s European Championship two years ago. And this despite the fact that 5 million TV viewers at the 2025 European Championship had already significantly fueled the euphoria for women’s sport.
Municipalities decide: who can cheer and when?
The federal government is relaxing noise protection regulations for major sporting events – including women’s and men’s football championships. This is the only way it is possible for games to be watched and cheered on in the open air until after 10 p.m. However, the regulation is merely an offer: municipalities and responsible authorities retain the freedom to decide when and where public viewing takes place. Despite permission from the federal government, they always have the option of saying “no”. And they do – just significantly less often in men’s games than in women’s games.
For example, in Tübingen, Swabia: During the 2025 Women’s European Championship, a restaurateur was not allowed to show the German team late at night. Exceptions were refused by the city – while in 2024 the men were still celebrating in the streets of the old town. The reason given was allegedly too little demand and noise pollution. The demand was certainly there: the public viewing ban was followed by a petition from many disappointed Tübingen residents who wanted to cheer together at the sporting events.
Anything is possible for the men’s World Cup – and for the women’s World Cup?
While this summer you can party all night long, last year the volume had to be turned down. The double standards of German football could not be clearer. One thing is clear: the demand for public viewing will explode again for the Men’s World Cup. This means that live broadcasts from the USA are theoretically possible until late into the night. One can hope that there will be just as much acceptance of nightly celebrations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.