Licensed venues in NSW will be granted extended trading hours to show major events live during the Paris Olympics as the Games' opening ceremony nears.
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Hotels, bars, clubs and live music venues in NSW will be able to trade until the early hours of the morning if they screen blockbuster events such as Matildas clashes, swimming finals or the rugby sevens.
The change to operating hours - which is yet to be announced in other states - could lead to licensed premises staying open until 8am to show the Games' opening ceremony.
"With an eight-hour time difference between Paris and Sydney, the extended trading will give more fans the chance to cheer on their favourite athletes and teams," the government said in a statement on Friday.
The special trading hours encouraged a vibrant nightlife for residents and tourists, Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said.
Eligible venues did not need to apply individually to open when they screened the Olympics coverage, he added.
"There is nothing like cheering home a gold medal winner with friends and community," Mr Graham said.
"Special event extended trading will support that – as well as an economic boost and more jobs at night."
The Olympics' opening ceremony -in the early hours of Saturday morning in Australia - will involve about 6,800 athletes from 206 nations parading on more than 90 boats down the Seine River.
Griffith University business expert Graeme Hughes said the extended-hours offering was a "strategic move" to boost patronage at venues amid tough trading conditions.
"This initiative is particularly timely given the current economic climate, with insolvencies at their highest rate since COVID hit in 2019," he said.
Mr Hughes urged other states to take a similar approach.
"Queensland, despite hosting the 2032 Olympics, appears to be missing a prime opportunity to generate similar economic benefits," he said.
"The state should be capitalising on the growing excitement surrounding the Games by implementing policies that support local businesses and attract visitors."
While NSW is the only state to have announced extended trading to coincide with select events, Queensland has live sites in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Longreach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
A Queensland government spokesperson said there were no plans to extend trading hours for licensed premises more broadly.
In Victoria, the Olympics is being broadcast for free at Melbourne's Federation Square, where fans can watch every day of the games between 12pm and 10pm.
Western Australia's capital Perth will have a live site in place at Yagan Square, while in Canberra a live site has been set up at the Australian Institute of Sport.
NSW will also operate a live site at Sydney's Darling Harbour, while some Matildas games will be screened at the Sydney Opera House.
Australian Associated Press
