Pubs to stay open until 2am during World Cup matches
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has confirmed that pubs across the country will be permitted to remain open until 2am during World Cup fixtures involving England or Scotland, reports BritPanorama.
This announcement aims to boost trade for hospitality venues while fostering community spirit during one of the world’s largest sporting events, covering 13 potential matches from the knockout stages.
Government officials stated that the new arrangements will enable supporters to watch up to three additional games in their local pubs without needing special permission for extended hours. This marks the first occasion in ten years that such extended licensing has been granted for home nation knockout matches.
Under the new trading rules, establishments will serve customers for two hours beyond their normal closing times, depending on kickoff times. Matches starting between 5pm and 9pm will see last orders pushed back to 1am, with fixtures beginning from 9pm allowing pubs to remain open until 2am.
The extended hours apply to all knockout stages, should England or Scotland progress, including the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Such licensing relaxations have also been previously introduced for the Women’s Euro 2025 and the Men’s Euro 2024 final.
Mahmood emphasized the intent behind the decision: “If our boys are on the pitch, we want our fans to stay in the pub,” she stated. “So we’re giving pubs and bars an open goal to serve punters long after the last penalty hits the back of the net. We won’t have fans coming home before football does.”
The hospitality sector has welcomed the government’s decision. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, remarked, “There’s no place quite like the pub to cheer on our brilliant teams, and being able to open for longer means people can come together, boost community spirit and enjoy a summer of sport.” Additionally, she noted the need for further cuts to regulatory burdens and costs.
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, labeled the World Cup as the “centrepiece of this year’s summer of sport,” forecasting crowded venues throughout the tournament. Business groups assert that this extension will drive revenue and support employment within the sector.
As the nation gears up for the matches, the atmosphere surrounding the World Cup provides a reminder of how football unites communities, offering both excitement and camaraderie in the pubs that have long served as the heart of local support.
