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Temporary change in the Noise Law will allow public screenings of the 2026 World Cup games at night, subject to local authorities’ authorization and compliance with specific rules
The Noise Law in Germany will undergo a temporary relaxation during the 2026 World Cup. The measure was created to allow public broadcasts of matches played at night, without completely eliminating noise protection rules.
As the tournament will be held across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, several games will take place at night or in the early morning Central European Time. Therefore, the federal government has defined exceptions valid between June 11 and July 19, 2026, the official period of the competition.
According to the German federal legislation, the relaxation seeks to balance the right to rest and the collective interest in watching the games on big screens and in public spaces.
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What is the Noise Law in Germany
The so-called Nachtruhe, known as the Noise Law, determines the period during which noise levels must be reduced. Normally, this protection comes into effect from 10 PM, although the limits may vary depending on the location.
Additionally, residential areas, regions near hospitals, and nursing homes have stricter rules. In these places, noise levels generally remain between 35 and 65 decibels, protecting residents and groups considered more sensitive.
Consequently, bars, parties, outdoor events, and public broadcasts must respect these limits during the nighttime period.
How the relaxation will be during the 2026 World Cup
However, during the World Cup period, federal regulation will allow temporary exceptions.
Between June 11 and July 19, 2026, cities and municipalities will be able to authorize public broadcasts after 10 PM, provided that acoustic protection standards are observed.
Thus, it will be possible to adjust the sound volume to meet the needs of the broadcasts, without completely discarding protection against excessive noise.
This change was adopted because several matches will occur at times incompatible with the traditional nighttime silence rule.
Authorization will not be automatic
Despite the relaxation, no organizer will have automatic authorization to hold events after 10 PM.
In practice, each municipality will remain responsible for individually analyzing each request. For this, organizers must submit formal requests to city halls or the competent environmental agencies.
During this analysis, various factors may be considered.
- Event location and proximity to residential areas;
- Distance from hospitals, nursing homes, and sensitive institutions;
- Ability to control the flow of people before and after the events;
- Acoustic mitigation measures, including sound barriers and speaker direction;
- Number of events planned at the same location during the World Cup period.
According to the regulation, the authority to grant authorizations remains with municipal administrations, through the agencies responsible for urban planning, environment, and public safety.
The goal is to balance rest and sports broadcasts
Additionally, the regulation follows the model applied during the 2006 World Cup, when temporary exceptions to noise rules were also adopted.
Instead of allowing unrestricted noise, authorizations will be specific and only for previously approved events.
Therefore, organizers will remain responsible for minimizing the impact on the neighborhood. Among the planned measures are immediate cessation of sound after the final whistle and encouraging the quick dispersion of the audience.
What changes for residents and organizers
In practice, the Noise Law will continue to be the general rule in Germany.
However, during the 2026 World Cup period, exceptions previously authorized by local authorities may occur.
Meanwhile, the residents will continue to be protected by noise control regulations. The organizers will have greater legal security to plan public broadcasts, provided they meet all technical, environmental, and safety requirements.
The information follows the German federal regulation regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the national noise protection standards, applicable between June 11 and July 19, 2026, as announced by the competent authorities in Germany.
