Somerset Council has confirmed it will not be using the giant LED screen in Yeovil town centre to show any matches from this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
The big screen, installed within the newly-built amphitheatre at The Triangle as part of the Yeovil Refresh regeneration project, has been operational for just over a year. Funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund, the screen was officially commissioned after an opening ceremony in January 2025, attended by Yeovil MP Adam Dance.
Despite the tournament kicking off in North America on June 11, the council has stated there are no plans to broadcast any England matches on the screen. A council spokesperson explained that hosting public viewings would require extensive arrangements including crowd control, safety measures, security, and licensing, making it unfeasible for them to organize directly.
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The spokesperson added: “We have this space available for bookings, and should an event organiser come forward we would work with them on their proposals. However, we would not compete with commercial venues intending to show the games and will not organize any screenings ourselves.”
Event organisers interested in hosting watch parties or similar events on the big screen must obtain a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from the council.
Meanwhile, several pubs around Yeovil—including The Arrow near Yeovil Town FC’s stadium, which recently underwent a £480,000 refurbishment—plan to screen England’s group stage matches.
In other local developments, the council is transforming the former Glovers Walk shopping centre site into a green space. Demolition was completed in late January, and the area is currently being seeded to create a public park until substantial regeneration plans begin in spring 2027. The council expects the green space to open by early June, weather permitting.