Sweden's opening match against Tunisia kicks off at 04:00 Swedish time, according to the match schedule, and the World Cup is played in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with some matches starting in the middle of the night. Despite this, several Swedish cities are planning public viewings. In Gothenburg, the red-green coalition presented plans for public viewings at a press conference on Tuesday morning.
The city will show World Cup matches for free on big screens at several locations, though specific sites have not been confirmed. Gothenburg is also looking into extending serving permits until 07:00 during the World Cup summer. Daniel Bernmar (V) said it is important that the celebration is made accessible to all residents.
We haven't had time to talk about it properly. My tip is that it will be like previous championships. Then we broadcast Sweden's playoff matches, not the group stage. We will look into this as soon as possible.
Uppsala plans to set up a big screen for the World Cup, even for matches in the middle of the night. According to Uppsala Nya Tidning, Stefan Wittberg at Uppsala arenor och fastigheter is convinced there will be a public viewing. In Kalmar and Växjö, concrete plans are lacking.
According to SVT Småland, Henrik Nilsson Ederam, head of culture and leisure in Kalmar, suggested they will likely broadcast Sweden's knockout matches, not group stage games, as in previous championships. In Växjö, Fredrik Sandblad, förvaltningschef, told SVT Småland there is no finished plan yet, but the issue is expected to appear on the political agenda soon. Local initiatives are emerging elsewhere.
It's a completely new question. It's not on a political agenda yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if it ends up there soon.
In Strängnäs, entrepreneur and restaurateur Jimmy Nygren has applied to extend a summer festival to show Sweden's opening match against Tunisia on a big screen for free, according to Eskilstuna-Kuriren. Harplinge Church will show the same match on a big screen. Sportbaren Lyran in Höganäs will open its doors for everyone who wants to follow Sweden's matches together, despite some matches being played in the middle of the night.
One of Malmö's most popular parks invites to a football party, according to multiple reports. Other municipalities show mixed responses. Karlstad municipality has not yet received any requests regarding serving permits or opening hours in connection with Sweden's World Cup matches.
I can't have an exact opinion on that. Personally, I will watch football, one way or another.
The same week as Sweden's first match, Karlstad organizes the SM-veckan (Swedish Championships week). According to SVT Värmland, Linda Larsson (S) described it as a folk festival with lots of sports. Eslöv municipality promises to investigate the possibilities of showing the matches publicly.
In northeastern Skåne, interest in public viewings is low; according to multiple reports, officials have only heard from media.
My vision is to show Sweden's premiere on a big screen, and for free.
I am completely convinced that it will be so.
We always try to be positive when restaurateurs or other actors take this kind of initiative.
What a folk festival, a whole week with lots of sports.