Aberdeen City Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to formally grant its employees an additional public holiday to mark Scotland’s return to the men’s FIFA World Cup – the nation’s first appearance in the tournament since 1998.
The council’s Staff Governance Committee voted unanimously on Monday, February 23, to approve the extra day off on Monday, June 15 – the day after Scotland’s opening group stage match against Haiti in Boston, which kicks off at 2:00am UK time.
First Minister John Swinney had previously proposed the date as a national bank holiday, a recommendation subsequently endorsed by the King, though implementation remains at the discretion of individual employers across both the public and private sectors.
Council co-leader Ian Yuill welcomed the decision, drawing on memories of Scotland’s last World Cup campaign. “I remember the buzz there was in Aberdeen the last time Scotland was in the World Cup,” he said. “This special public holiday will help repeat, and hopefully exceed, that.”
His fellow co-leader, Christian Allard, echoed the sentiment, describing the occasion as a chance for people “to come together and celebrate.”
Committee Convenor, Councillor Neil Copland, said: “The opening match against Haiti will be the first time in a generation that the men’s national team will have participated in the World Cup and it will be fantastic to see people out supporting the team, and hopefully watching a bit of history in the making!
“Our decision takes into consideration the 2am GMT kick off and that many thousands of people in Aberdeen will want to watch the game. I think the decision taken today will help Council Employees and Services to prepare in advance to celebrate, whilst ensuring critical services continue to be provided to citizens.”
Vice-convenor, Councillor Gill Al-Samarai, said: “There is a high level of enthusiasm across the city for the occasion, and we want to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy it.
“We have had ad hoc public holidays in recent years for events such as the Coronation of King Charles and the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral.
“As always, on such occasions, normal public holiday service delivery levels will be applied in all essential service areas.”
The decision is not without financial implications. Aberdeen City Council will be required to pay out up to £30,000 in holiday pay to essential workers unable to take the day off. Council services are expected to be reduced on the day, and school closures are also being considered — the council has written to the Scottish Government formally requesting that pupils and school staff also receive the holiday.
Not all Scottish councils have followed suit. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, and Scottish Borders councils have all declined to grant the bank holiday, with several citing budgetary pressures. Midlothian Council has estimated the cost of the holiday at approximately £130,000, with its leader describing it as “not the appropriate priority” given the authority’s constrained finances. Glasgow City Council, meanwhile, is expected to approve the holiday this week despite facing a bill of around £520,000.
Labour councillor Deena Tissera raised a question of principle during Monday’s meeting, asking whether future sporting achievements — across all genders and disciplines — would receive equal recognition. Council officers confirmed that any potential public holidays in the coming months and years would be assessed as they arise.
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The move builds on a precedent set by Aberdeen City Council in recent years, which has previously approved additional public holidays for the King’s Coronation, the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, and her state funeral.
Aberdeen’s pro-active stance on the World Cup extends beyond the bank holiday. In January, the city’s licensing board approved a blanket extension allowing hospitality venues to trade until 3:00am for the duration of the tournament — and until 30 minutes after the final whistle for Scotland’s matches specifically, enabling fans to watch all three group stage games, including those against Morocco on June 19 and Brazil on June 24.
