UEFA rules out mandatory drinks breaks at Euro 2028
UEFA will not adopt FIFA’s mandatory mid-half drinks breaks at Euro 2028, limiting the prospect of new in-game advertising windows for broadcasters and sponsors.
UEFA has no plans to introduce FIFA-style mandatory drinks breaks at Euro 2028 or across its club competitions.The governing body will instead retain its existing regulations, under which cooling or drinks breaks can be authorised when conditions require them rather than imposed in every match, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.A UEFA spokesperson said: “Cooling and drinks breaks are already covered in UEFA regulations. There are no plans to change the current approach.”The position contrasts with FIFA’s policy at the 2026 World Cup, where three-minute breaks are scheduled midway through both halves regardless of temperature, weather or whether a stadium is climate-controlled.FIFA introduced the measure on player welfare grounds following concerns about heat during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.The breaks have also created defined commercial inventory for rights holders, with some broadcasters using the stoppages to show advertising.That practice has prompted criticism from supporters, players and pundits who argue that universal breaks interrupt the flow of matches and create tactical timeouts.UEFA’s approach means Euro 2028 broadcasters will not be able to build guaranteed mid-half advertising slots into their coverage under current regulations.Any breaks during the tournament will remain dependent on conditions and competition protocols, preserving the traditional structure of two largely uninterrupted 45-minute halves.Euro 2028 will be staged across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, reducing the likelihood of the persistent extreme heat expected across parts of the 2026 World Cup.UEFA’s decision also extends to the Champions League and its other competitions, maintaining a distinction between welfare-led interventions and standardised commercial stoppages.The policy could still be reviewed if player welfare guidance or climate conditions change before 2028, but UEFA currently intends to retain its existing match-by-match system.