Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has stepped in to reverse a controversial prohibition on public FIFA World Cup broadcasts at Melbourne’s Federation Square. The initial restriction, implemented by the Melbourne Arts Precinct, sought to prevent large-scale gatherings due to previous instances of property damage and safety breaches.
However, following a significant backlash from the football community and governing bodies, the state government determined that the cultural value of the “live site” outweighed the concerns raised by the venue’s management.
The square gained international fame during the 2022 tournament, with footage of jubilant fans celebrating Australia’s progress becoming a viral symbol of the nation’s sporting passion.
Despite this, authorities had pointed to the 2022 and 2023 tournaments—where flares and barricade breaches caused minor injuries—as justification for the ban. In restoring the screenings, the Premier emphasized that increased security measures and a strict code of conduct would be enforced to ensure a festive yet orderly environment.
“I disagree with that decision, and I am overturning it,” Allan said in a statement. “There’s always a risk of bad behaviour from a few dickheads at every public gathering, but police and security will be on site and there’ll be zero tolerance for it.
The World Cup should bring us together, not keep us apart.”
