🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Football fever is sweeping across the North East ahead of the Lionesses big World Cup Final game.

The game will kick off at 11am (BST) on Sunday (August 20) and many fans will be wanting to get behind England’s women as they hope to bring home the country’s first world cup title since 1966.

The Lionesses take on Spain in Sydney, Australia and will want to recreate their Euros success of last summer.

Fans across the North East and UK are already getting behind Sarina Wiegman’s team, with an average of 4.6m people tuning in to watch the semi-final despite it being on during work hours.

Landmarks across the region will be illuminated in the red and white colours of the national flag.

Darlington’s clock tower, the Northern Spire Bride in Sunderland and Penshaw Monument are among those being lit up in support. Meanwhile in Middlesbrough the St George’s will fly above the town hall.

A host of venues will be showing the game with fans heading out early to embrace the atmosphere.

Big screens across the region including in Newcastle and Sunderland will show the game while pubs will open early to punters.

In Darlington the council decided not to bring in a big screen in a bid to help hospitality businesses in the town centre.

The Government called on councils to allow pubs across England to open early on Sunday.

Michael Gove wrote to local authorities asking them to do everything they can do help venues seeking to extend opening hours.

Restrictions mean councils are unable to grant extensions to pubs that failed to apply by August 11, but the Lionesses hadn’t even won their quarter-final tie at that point.

Pub bosses have warned that licensing rules mean some venues will be unable to serve pints or open early for excited fans on the day.

Current regulations mean the sale of alcohol is widely banned before 10am on Sunday, but venues such as pubs also have specific hours they can open and serve alcohol on their own licences.

A change to the rules across England would have to be passed by Parliament which is currently on summer recess. The Lib Dems on Thursday (August 17) called for MPs to return from their summer break to approve a law change.  

Here’s a list of the North East venues showing the World Cup final:

Darlington

Darlington Council has said it will not be showing the game on a big screen in the town. Council leader Stephen Harker said that would “inevitably take customers away from the many hospitality venues in the town”, adding “I’m sure the town centre pubs and bars would much rather show the match in their own premises.”

The following town centre venues have already confirmed they will be screening the match:

  • The Old Dun Cow, Post House Wynd
  • Darlington Flyer, Skinnergate
  • The Lounge, Bondgate
  • Dolphin Centre Bistro (family friendly)
  • Tapas Bar, Bondgate
  • The Red Lion, Bondgate
  • The Green Dragon, Post House Wynd
  • The Hoptimist, Tubwell Row
  • The Golden Cock, Tubwell Row
  • Tubwell Tap, Bondgate
  • The Vault, Indoor Market
  • The Turks Head, Bondgate
  • Slaters Arms, Bondgate
  • Hoskins, Blackwellgate
  • Hideway Bar & Pizzeria, Duke St
  • The William Stead, Crown Street
  • Tanners Hall, Skinnergate
  • The Juniper Tree, Grange Road

STACK Seaburn, Sunderland

STACK will be showing the game on its big screen at its Seaburn venue in Sunderland.

The game will be shown with full commentary. Tables will be on a first-come-first-served basis in the lower plaza with tables on the upper plaza available to book for an £11 per person deposit.

NX Newcastle

Darlington and Stockton Times: NX in Newcastle.NX in Newcastle. (Image: Newsquest)

NX in Newcastle will be showing the World Cup Final live on Sunday morning.

The former 02 Academy in Newcastle is being transformed into a indoor ‘fanzone’ with a huge screen.

Tickets are priced from £7.75 and are available to buy online and under 18s will be allowed as long as they are accompanied by adults.

Newcastle Old Eldon Square

Old Eldon Square, the green outside Eldon Square in Newcastle, will be showing the big game on its cinema screen which has been in place this summer.

The screening will start at 10.30am ahead of the final and deckchairs and seating out for those watching. The event will be free to attend.

Hardwick Festival

Hardwick Festival has announced it will open early on Sunday morning at 10.30am so ticketholders can gather to watch the Lionesses ahead of the day’s musical performances.

Tickets are still available for the festival, although it is not possible to book tickets to attend the screening alone.

Pizza Punks Durham

Pizza Punks, known for its bottomless brunches, is hosting a special bottomless event for the World Cup game on Sunday.

The venue will open at 11am and will be showing the game and punters can get a pizza with 90 minutes of unlimited drinks for £31.50 per person.

Have we missed somewhere? Email daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk detailing the name of the venue, address, opening times, and any ticket prices so we can consider adding you to our list.