Millions will be watching as England take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday – including many who have changed plans to ensure they get to witness football (hopefully) coming home.
It’s not every day the England men’s team make it to the final of a major football tournament – yes, this is their second consecutive Euros final in a row (cheers, Gareth!), but before that, the last one was the World Cup final of 1966.
Reaching the Euro 2024 final is a big deal, so any events scheduled at the same time as the 8pm kick-off are being pulled forward, and some shops are closing early.
Here are the schedules changes announced so far.
John Bishop: Football’s coming home… and so am I
Following England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands, comedian John Bishop shared a video on social media to let fans know he would be changing the time of his gig at the University of Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall.
The show has now been moved to 2pm.
In a statement, Bishop said: “When Gareth Southgate didn’t pick me I didn’t think I would be watching the Euros but like everyone else I have been caught up in the tournament.
“It is brilliant that England are in the final and to avoid people having to decide if they can watch the match or the show we are moving the show timings so we can all go home and watch it.”
And he signed off with confidence about England’s chances. “Football’s coming home… and so am I.”
Wireless Festival brings headliner forward
Doja Cat will close the Wireless Festival early. Pic: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Sean Paul, J Hus and Ice Spice are just some of the acts performing at Wireless Festival, taking place at Finsbury Park in London this weekend.
But Sunday’s headliner Doja Cat will now perform earlier so the festival can finish at 7pm – to give fans “plenty of time to travel home to watch the Euro final”.
Festival organisers had earlier announced that Friday acts Flo Milli and Veeze and Sunday stars Tyla and Digga D would no longer be performing. With the festival now finishing early, there will be no replacement acts on Sunday.
Richard Ashcroft: I tried to screen match at gig
Pic: Graham Finney/Cover Images via AP
Singer Richard Ashcroft also announced an earlier slot for his show at Kew Gardens in west London.
He will now be on stage at 6.15pm to “allow anyone with an interest in the England final to get somewhere to watch the game”.
The singer, who rose to fame with The Verve, said his team had tried to get the match screened at the gig, but “to no avail”.
Countryfile fans – note the TV schedule change
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson. Pic: BBC Studios/Pete Dadds
England making it to the final has also led to a shake-up in the TV schedule, as the BBC’s coverage of the match means Countryfile has been moved to an earlier slot of 5.40pm.
Antiques Roadshow, which last aired with a D-Day special on 2 June, is not on the schedule, but will return to BBC One next week.
Darts moves to midday
Scotland’s Peter Wright is among the darts stars playing on Sunday. Pic: Arne Dedert/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
The darts 2024 World Matchplay starts on Saturday, and Sunday’s sessions will be brought forward.
Sessions at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool will now begin at midday and 4.30pm to ensure the day’s play is concluded before the Euro 2024 final kick-off at 8pm UK time.
Some supermarket stores closing early
Tesco is closing its Express stores early so staff can watch the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. Pic: PA
If you are hoping to stock up on celebratory snacks and drinks, you might have to pop to your supermarket earlier than expected.
Some chains are closing shops in England early to allow employees to watch the game – while one is opening an hour later on Monday to let their staff recover.
Tesco, the UK’s biggest supermarket chain, has told customers its Express stores across England will close at 7.30pm rather than the usual 10pm or 11pm on Sunday. Employees who do not want to watch the match will be paid as normal, it said.
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Sainsbury’s is closing more than 1,000 convenience stores and petrol stations at 7.30pm, rather than 10pm or 11pm.
Aldi shops will already be closed for the game, as the company follows Sunday trading hours and stores shut at 4pm.
The same goes for Lidl – but opening hours on Monday will be an hour later, at 9am rather than 8am for most stores. However, opening times vary, so shoppers are encouraged to check their nearest Lidl hours via its online locator.