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Sint-Niklaas Designates 30 Cafes as Official World Cup Viewing Spots

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Sint-Niklaas has designated 30 cafes and associations as official "World Cup viewing spots."
  • These venues will receive a 250 euro subsidy to broadcast the Red Devils' matches.
  • The city opted for this approach over a large public screen, aiming to better support local hospitality businesses.

The city of Sint-Niklaas is embracing the upcoming World Cup by transforming 30 local cafes and associations into official "World Cup viewing spots." Instead of organizing a large public viewing screen, the city council decided to provide financial support directly to hospitality venues willing to broadcast the Red Devils' matches.

Each of the selected establishments will receive a subsidy of 250 euros. This initiative aims to bolster local businesses while fostering a community atmosphere for fans to watch the games. The city's decision stems from past experiences where large public screens offered limited added value to the local horeca sector.

We are very pleased that we can offer no less than 30 locations. The cafes and associations are nicely spread across both the city center and the sub-municipalities, meaning residents never have to walk far to watch together.

— Kris Van der CoeldenAlderman for Trade and Horeca, expressing satisfaction with the initiative.

"We are very pleased that we can offer no less than 30 locations," said Kris Van der Coelden, alderman for Trade and Horeca. "The cafes and associations are nicely spread across both the city center and the sub-municipalities, meaning residents never have to walk far to watch together."

You can feel that it's alive and that it's a unique opportunity to dive into the football atmosphere at such an unusual hour.

— Olivier MaesFrom youth house OJC Kompas, describing the local excitement for the early match.

Despite an early morning kickoff for the third group match on Saturday, June 27th, interest remains high. Youth house OJC Kompas reported that young people are already coordinating plans to stay awake or pull an all-nighter to catch the game. "You can feel that it's alive and that it's a unique opportunity to dive into the football atmosphere at such an unusual hour," commented Olivier Maes from the youth house.

Café Den Rembrandt is also preparing for the early start, planning a "night of staying up" with a marathon bingo session followed by breakfast. "There is already a lot of enthusiasm for that early match, and we hope this will only increase," said owners Joke and Robin.

There is already a lot of enthusiasm for that early match, and we hope this will only increase.

— Joke and RobinOwners of Café Den Rembrandt, discussing preparations for the early World Cup game.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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