On Sunday night, as England prepare to face Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 with a 1am kick-off, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a last-minute U-turn allowing pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5am on Monday. The decision, announced on Thursday 2 July 2026, reversed an earlier government position that licensing hours would not be extended further for the match. But what does it actually mean for fans, and how does the system work?
Under standard licensing laws in England and Wales, pubs typically close around 11pm or midnight. For major sporting occasions, the Home Secretary can use a legislative power to extend licensing hours under the Licensing Act 2003, specifically for events of “exceptional international, national or local significance”. This is what happened for the 2026 World Cup: the government initially relaxed opening times to allow pubs to stay open until 1am for matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for those starting after 9pm. For the Mexico game, which kicks off at 1am UK time and will finish around 3am, those extensions did not cover the full match – hence the need for a further order.
“How the government can extend pub opening hours for England matches, and why many pubs still stay shut.”
The blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to apply to their local council for a temporary event notice – which normally requires at least five working days’ notice. However, not all pubs will take advantage of the change. Wetherspoon, which has 800 pubs in the UK, confirmed only five would be open for the match. Greene King said more than 600 of its 2,600 venues would stay open. Many smaller pubs, especially those in residential areas, cited staffing problems and the impact on neighbours. Tommy Higgs, co-owner of The Three Horseshoes in Witney, Oxfordshire, told LBC: “We’re in a built-up community … it’s just a little bit disrespectful for our locals to have that sort of noise at 5am.” He added that staff would not want to work until 5am and that a “local pub in a small town” is not a nightclub.
This is not the first time licensing hours have been extended for a football tournament. During the Euro 2025 semi-final and final, similar relaxations were allowed. The government also held a six-week public consultation on World Cup opening hours, which closed in December 2025. The number of pubs in the UK has fallen from 46,829 in 2020 to 44,656 in 2025, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.
For UK readers, the key takeaway is that while the government can create a blanket extension, it is up to individual venues to decide whether to open. Fans hoping to watch the match at their local should check ahead, as many will still operate normal hours. The decision has been welcomed by industry bodies: Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said “the best place to watch the match is down the local”, and Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association called it “fantastic news” that would boost hospitality businesses. But for workers with Monday jobs, the early-morning finish raises questions about sleep and productivity.
Q: How does the government extend pub opening hours for major events? The Home Secretary can use powers under the Licensing Act 2003 to make a temporary order extending licensing hours for occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”. This bypasses the usual requirement for individual pubs to apply to their council at least five working days in advance.
Q: Can any pub stay open until 5am during an extension? Yes, if the government issues a blanket extension, any licensed premises can remain open until the specified time without needing a separate permit. However, pubs must still comply with other conditions of their licence, such as noise restrictions, and many choose not to open due to staffing costs, lack of demand, or neighbourhood concerns.
Q: Why do some pubs decide not to open for late-night matches? Common reasons include difficulty finding staff willing to work into the early hours, the cost of staying open for a small number of customers, and the risk of disturbing residents in residential areas. Some publicans also feel that their pub is not suited to a nightclub atmosphere at 5am.
What happens next? The England v Mexico match takes place on Monday 6 July 2026 in Mexico City, with a 1am UK kick-off. The blanket extension applies only to that match. Should England progress further, the government will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to extend hours again. The match is expected to finish around 3am, with pubs allowed to stay open until 5am. Fans should check with their local pub in advance, as many will not open despite the legal permission.