If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the FIFA World Cup this summer, but also wondering where you’re going to watch the late-airing games, you’re in luck. As part of a support package to help out boozers around the country, the government has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open (and continue serving alcohol) until as late as 2am for certain World Cup matches.
This week, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced some changes and reforms aimed at supporting our country’s pubs, which are shuttering at an alarming rate. And tucked away within the support package announcement was an exciting bit of news for football fans. It was revealed that “pubs and other licensed venues will be able to open after midnight for Home Nations’ games in the later stages of this summer’s Men’s FIFA World Cup“.
Due to the time difference between the UK and the World Cup’s host countries, many of the games will be kicking off late in the evening. In fact, England’s first match of the World Cup, which sees them battling against Croatia on June 17, kicks off at 9pm. Scotland’s first match, on June 14 against Haiti, won’t start until 2 in the morning!
Plus, with Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland still aiming to qualify for the cup, there could be a lot of fixtures to keep an eye on!
However, these late-open allowances won’t happen until the later stages of the tournament. Specifically, pubs will be allowed to stay open later under these circumstances:
- Pubs can stay open until 1am for any quarter final, semi-final or the final if the match starts at or before 9pm
- Pubs can stay open until 2am for any quarter-final if the match starts at 10pm
Why are the matches so late?
This summer’s World Cup will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with some matches taking place in areas where summer temperatures can push well above safe playing levels. FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani said that lessons from past tournaments have influenced the decision, noting that “heat is always an issue in our region because the summers are hot.”
More than just the World Cup
In the announcement, it was suggested that these late opening hours could also be in place for other large spectator events. And we’re not just talking about the year’s biggest sporting events. In fact, the government is “bringing forward a consultation to allow them to open late for other big events such as Eurovision.” That’s right, your local pub’s Eurovision-watching party could get even more raucous this year!
The government is also looking to help pubs hold more temporary events as part of the license reform. The package announcement promises that “[the] government will legislate later this year to increase the number of temporary events pubs and other hospitality venues can hold to help screen other World Cup games or host community and cultural events.”
So, 2026 could well be a bumper year for watching the biggest sporting and TV moments at the local!
Read the government’s full pub support package announcement here.