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The UK government has officially authorised later closing times for pubs in England and Wales during the 2026 Men’s Football World Cup, relaxing licensing laws for key matches.
Venues will be allowed to serve until 1am for games with kick-off times between 5pm and 9pm, while later matches beginning from 9pm to 10pm will permit sales until 2am, depending on whether any of the home nations make it to the final.
Fixtures airing before 5pm or after 10pm will not lengthen trading hours, although individual licensed venues can apply for temporary extensions to stay open for a particular match.
The licensing exceptions apply to the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place playoff match and final.
The government’s announcement comes after a previous Home Office push to loosen licensing rules, ensuring the UK’s varied start times – caused by the tournament being hosted across three North American time zones – don’t cut celebrations short.
The details of the decision come after a six-week public consultation launched in December, which received 38 complete and 20 partial responses.
At the time, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Our nation’s pubs are going into extra time. If any home nation reaches the final stages, we will extend licensing hours. The party won’t end before the final whistle is blown. And in a personal capacity, I would like to add: It’s coming home.”
The consultation was additionally welcomed by Michael Kill, CEO of the Night-Time Industries Association, who added: “The World Cup is a globally celebrated event that brings communities together, and extending licensing hours will allow fans to enjoy the matches safely, responsibly, and in a vibrant social atmosphere.
“Our sector is committed to supporting safe, well-managed venues where people can celebrate major sporting events. We believe this consultation represents a positive step in ensuring that the hospitality industry can contribute fully to the nation’s excitement and economic activity during such a landmark event.”
