This is when Sheffield can expect to see big screen fan zone for England World Cup matches
The World Cup is already well under way
The signs have been up for weeks.
And the operators of a proposed World Cup fan park, called Fan City, in Sheffield city centre, have finally announced when fans may finally see the facility.
Notices have been in place around Devonshire Green since early May, announcing that AGN Events Ltd wanted to set up a fan park complete with a giant screen, at the popular city centre public open space.
But fans were surprised to see no sign of a venue when England started their first game, their 4-2 win over Croatia, last week.
Now it has been confirmed that there will be a fan park - but only if England reach the quarter finals.
Fan City told The Star: “Should England secure a place in the quarter-finals, Fan City will return to Devonshire Green for another huge matchday experience.
“Further details will be announced following England's last 16 result. Come on England!”
Because the tournament is taking place in Canada, Mexico and the USA, the games are being played in a different time zone to Sheffield, with some games set to be played late at night because of the time difference. And organisers of the planned fan zone want to keep the bars open until midnight when England are playing.
Steve Wood, of the Sheffield based football heritage group Sheffield Home of Football said: “It’s important fans who support multiple clubs can make memories of a collective live experience and enjoy England winning the World Cup again together.”
Nick Simmonite, chairman of the Sheffield city centre night time economy organisation Unight and landlord of Frog and Parrot, said in May that any activity in the city centre is great as it draws people into the area.
Notices placed next to the site confirm that those behind the fan park want to be able to keep selling alcohol at the bars there until midnight on the nights that England and Scotland are playing.
It would be until 11pm for games that do not involve either of the British teams.
Devonshire Green has been used as a fan park for several major football tournaments in recent years, and was also used as one when Sheffield was a host city for the UEFA women’s Euros, when matches were played at Bramall Lane in 2022.
Pubs across the city are showing games during this summer’s tournament.
England won their opening game 4-2 against Croatia, before drawing their second game, against Ghana, 0-0.
It is not yet known who they would play in the quarter finals, if they qualified for that stage of the tournament.
First they have to ensure they qualify from their group, and then win two knock-out games, in the last 32, and then the last 16.
Although Sheffield has had a big screen fan zone for the most recent tournaments, the city council rejected calls for a facility in 2021, in the aftermath of the Covid lockdowns.