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The Minns Labor Government is giving fans the chance to enjoy early-morning matches and provide a boost to local hospitality venues with extended trading hours for licensed venues statewide during the FIFA World Cup.

The biggest and most watched sporting event on the planet is being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, with 48 nations competing for the Cup.

Pubs, clubs and bars statewide can operate extended hours when they broadcast Australian group stage matches, all the knockout rounds (16 and 32) and the finals.

There are also two free public live sites operating, Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour and Cathy Freeman Park at Sydney Olympic Park.

Both will host live broadcasts of every Socceroos match on giant screens, beginning with Australia vs Türkiye on 14 June at 2pm (AEST), USA vs Australia on 20 June at 5am, and Paraguay vs Australia on 26 June at 12pm.

Finals matches are also scheduled at Tumbalong Park from 10 July through to 20 July, including quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

Extended trading will also apply to licensed premises when the Darling Harbour live site screens afternoon games. This applies to the City of Sydney local government area, including Sydney, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Haymarket, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Dawes Point, Millers Point, Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and Woolloomooloo.

This is part of the NSW Government’s Special Event Extended Trading initiative, which allows venues to trade outside regular times during major cultural and sporting events. It is just one of several measures supporting the government’s broader Vibrancy Reforms aimed at enhancing the night-time economy in NSW, catering to industry and consumer needs.

The extended trading covers on-premises alcohol service only, not takeaway, and venues cannot operate gaming machines unless already authorised to do so.

For the full list of extended trading, please visit: nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/liquor-and-gaming/licensed-venues/special-event-extended-trading

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet and expected to draw strong crowds to venues across NSW, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to a safe, vibrant and responsible night-time economy during major global events.

“Extended trading hours mean fans can come together and enjoy ‘the beautiful game’ while supporting local venues.

“With many World Cup games screening in the early hours of the morning, this is a great opportunity for fans to get together at their local pub or club, get behind the Socceroos and hopefully celebrate some big wins.  

“These extended hours also provide a vital boost to our hospitality industry, a key pillar of our night-time economy, by enabling venues to serve more patrons, create more jobs and increase business activity.  

“Venues operating under extended hours must continue to meet responsible service of alcohol requirements and put the right measures in place to keep patrons safe.”

Australian Hotels Association NSW, Director of Policy Chris Gatfield said:

“Sydney is a vibrant, international city. There are a lot of football fans here, both homegrown and visiting from overseas, and the extended hours mean they won’t miss a moment of the action.

“We’re particularly pleased hotels will also be able to apply to trade earlier or later for the group matches through an application process.

“Get out of the cold and into a venue – there’s no better place to watch the World Cup than down at the local with your mates.”

The Minns Labor Government’s reforms cracking down on organised crime, with new offences and tougher penalties for public shootings, firebombings and the recruitment of children for criminal activity, have passed NSW Parliament.

The new laws create a new aggravated offence targeting the use of ‘kill cars’ which are used to facilitate organised crime and then torched to destroy the evidence.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Organised and Gang-related Crime Reforms) Bill 2026 also makes it harder for organised criminals to profit from violence and intimidation. Authorities will have up to five years, instead of one, to seek forfeiture of assets held by people subject to Drug Trafficker Declarations.

The legislation includes important bail reform which enhances the ability of the courts to take an accused’s organised crime links into account when making bail decisions.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

This is a major blow to organised crime across New South Wales. These laws go straight to the criminal operating model: the guns, the cars, the money and the cowards who recruit children to do their dirty work.

If you fire a gun in public, torch a business, burn a kill car or use a child to commit crime, our cops are coming for you with tough new powers.

Police are disrupting these networks every day. These reforms give them a harder edge and stronger backing.

Organised crime thrives when it thinks the system is too slow, too soft or too narrow. Not anymore. The Parliament has sent a clear message that we will not tolerate criminal networks terrorising our streets.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

These new offences and tougher penalties send a clear message to organised criminals whose brazen behaviour puts the public at risk: you will be caught and have the book thrown at you.

This legislation also gives the courts more tools to keep the community safe by making involvement in organised crime an explicit factor in bail decisions.

We’re targeting gangs whose vendettas are putting innocent members of the public at risk through shootings and firebombings. We’re also going after criminals who recruit children to break in and steal cars which then torched in a bid to destroy the evidence.”

The 2026 HART Senior State Titles are shaping as the biggest event in the competition’s proud history, with a record 241 teams from 86 Associations across New South Wales ready to take the court across three action-packed days.

Taking place across the June Long Weekend, the HART Senior State Titles stand as one of the marquee events on the Netball NSW calendar, bringing together the state’s leading representative athletes aged 15 years and over.

This year’s event has expanded from 219 teams in 2025 to 241 teams in 2026, underlining the continued strength and growth of grassroots netball across the state.

Across the weekend, more than 2,000 games will be played as athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters come together for a celebration of competition, community and connection.

The scale of the event is further reflected in the officiating workforce, with 415 umpires appointed across the weekend, ensuring every match is supported by talented and dedicated officials who play a vital role in delivering one of the largest representative netball events in Australia.

The HART Senior State Titles remain a key part of the Netball NSW pathway, providing athletes with the opportunity to test themselves against the best talent from across the state while proudly representing their local Associations.

Netball NSW General Manager – Competitions Stacy Harding said the record participation numbers were a testament to the strength of netball across New South Wales.

“The HART Senior State Titles showcase everything that makes our game special – high-quality competition, strong community spirit and opportunities for athletes, coaches, umpires and volunteers to thrive,” Harding said.

“To welcome a record 241 teams from 86 Associations is a fantastic achievement and reflects the passion and commitment of our netball community right across the state.

“We’re excited to see thousands of participants come together for what promises to be a truly memorable weekend and a wonderful celebration of netball in New South Wales.”

While the HART Senior State Titles are renowned for showcasing some of the state’s best representative netball talent, the event is just as celebrated for the vibrant atmosphere away from the court.

Across the weekend, teams create a vibrant “Tent City” precinct, transforming the venue into a hub of connection, camaraderie and community spirit.

June 2026 Overview Netball NSW Page 1 of 1 With record participation, thousands of competitors and supporters, and more than 2,000 games scheduled across three days, the 2026 HART Senior State Titles are set to deliver a landmark weekend that celebrates the very best of netball in New South Wales – on and off the court.