A World Cup ‘Fan City’ is coming to Sheffield’s city centre, with Devonshire Green set to host thousands in the late night event.
The organisers behind Sheffield’s Rock N Roll Circus, AGN Events, have previously hosted a ‘Fan City’ for the Women’s Euro 2022 and Euro 2024 at Devonshire Green, and have once again applied to Sheffield City Council to change the alcohol license on the premises.
The company want to play music and sell alcohol until midnight during the knockout stages of the tournament and on England and Scotland matchdays, with that reduced to 11pm during the competition’s group stage.
Some members of the public have voiced their opposition to the proposed fan park due to concerns over the behaviour of football fans and noise pollution.
Naomi Saxton, 58, of Broomhall, said: “I think we know that when there’s big football games there’s more, for example, domestic violence incidents.
“Overall, I’d say no, it’s not a good idea.”
The park previously held 4,000 fans for its Euro 2024 event, which saw England reach the final and narrowly lose to Spain, and is looking to bring similar numbers back to Sheffield’s city centre.
Mrs Saxton added: “I think the risk is probably quite real that it would get very noisy and potentially violent.”
However, some England supporters have welcomed the idea of a fan park in the city centre, dismissing concerns about noise pollution.
England fan, Jack Collier, 33, of Woodseats, said: “It’s a one off isn’t it?
“I think it might be a bit annoying for some people, but it won’t be going on for too long.”
Another England supporter, Stephen Grantham, 45, who lives in the S12 area of Sheffield, said: “I think it’s brilliant, it’ll bring in local business, it’ll rejuvenate the area for a few weeks.”
The 2026 edition of the tournament, hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, will take place in a different time zone to Sheffield, meaning some games will kick off as late as 3am.
England’s latest kick off time is against Panama, on the 27th June at 10pm, with the fan park hoping to create a space where fans can come together and support England.
