Football fever: Delhi CM asks Messi fans to enjoy World Cup Final in cafes till 4 am
New Delhi, July 18
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday afternoon invited Lionel Messi's fans to enjoy late-night FIFA World Cup 2026 Final - football's biggest night - over the weekend in city restaurants and cafes permitted by the government to welcome guests till 4 a.m.
"Every football fan has watched Lionel Messi make history. Now, history has one more story to tell. A legend. A teenage prodigy. One trophy. One night that generations will remember. Delhi is ready for that night," said Chief Minister Gupta on X.
"With the city's 24x7 business-friendly operating framework already in place under our government's ease of doing business reforms, restaurants, cafes and other eligible establishments across the capital can welcome fans till 4 a.m. this weekend, making it easier for the city to experience football's biggest night together," she said.
Permitting 24X7 business operations is one of the key measures taken by the Delhi government since assuming power in February last year, the Chief Minister highlighted.
Apart from boosting economic growth through an increase in the budget from Rs 75,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore, the Rekha Gupta government has focused on Ease of Doing Business reforms, a Single Window System, 75 e-District services, a warehousing and logistics policy, and support systems for MSMEs and manufacturing.
In December 2025, the Delhi Cabinet had approved the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, to decriminalise minor offences and promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
Chief Minister Gupta said that the Bill aimed to simplify compliance procedures and decriminalise minor violations, thereby reducing the burden on courts and making the administrative machinery more effective.
With the implementation of the Bill, criminal proceedings for minor, technical and procedural violations will be discontinued and replaced with civil penalties, administrative fines and an appellate mechanism, she said.
The Chief Minister added that the Bill was in line with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023/2025, implemented by the Central Government, under which minor offences in Central laws were decriminalised.
Elaborating on the Delhi Bill, the Chief Minister said that through this legislation, the Delhi government aimed to promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is great for football fans, but what about safety for women who want to enjoy these late-night events? Delhi's nightlife still has issues. CM should also announce additional patrolling or 'safe night zones' for cafes. Don't just focus on ease of business—focus on ease of living for everyone.
As a Delhiite and die-hard Messi fan, this is a dream come true! 🥹 I can already picture myself at a cafe in Connaught Place, watching the final with fellow fans. The Ease of Doing Business reforms are finally showing results. This government is serious about making Delhi world-class. Vamos Argentina! 🇦🇷
I'm happy for Messi fans, but why only football? What about cricket fans? When the World Cup or IPL final happens, we also want late-night celebrations. Seems a bit biased towards one sport. But still, a step forward for Delhi's nightlife.
CM Gupta's focus on Ease of Doing Business is commendable. The Jan Vishwas Bill decriminalising minor offences is a game-changer for small businesses. Allowing 4 AM operations for cafes during the World Cup is a logical extension of that policy. This is what progressive governance looks like. 👏
Great move, but I hope the cafes and restaurants follow all noise and cleanliness norms. Last time during the IPL, some areas became a mess with loud music and littering. The government should ensure that the fun doesn't come at the cost of residents' peace. Let's enjoy responsibly! 🌃
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