Pubs Open for England vs Mexico: Full List as Starmer Extends Licensing Hours to 5am

Pubs and bars across England received a major last-minute boost on Thursday (2 July) when outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that licensing hours will be extended until 5am for England’s upcoming World Cup knockout match against Mexico. The emergency move, announced by 10 Downing Street, removes the requirement for individual venues to apply for special council permissions or Temporary Event Notices (TEN), cutting through local bureaucratic red tape.

The high-stakes last-16 match is scheduled to kick off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at 1am UK time on Monday, July 6. Under previous regulations, extended opening hours only covered games starting before 10pm, leaving many publicans facing forced closures midway through the match.

Government and Industry Reaction

In a statement, Sir Keir said: "Football might be coming home, but we're making sure fans don't have to. Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together."

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Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said: "This is fantastic news and will be hugely welcomed by operators. Major sporting occasions like this deliver a significant boost to hospitality businesses while creating an atmosphere that unites the country."

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, added: "Pubs and fans will be over the moon about this decision, because we all know the best place to watch the match is down the local."

Which Pubs Are Opening?

While the news is being universally celebrated, not all pubs will be ready to keep their doors open through the night with just a couple of days to go before the game. Thousands of pubs are expected to remain closed. Only five of Wetherspoons' 800 pubs are opening, while 600 of Greene King's 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK will stay open. A range of independent pubs have said they will stay open, alongside selected venues from chains including Boxpark, Young’s and Fuller, Smith & Turner.

In Greater Manchester, several venues will stay open, including Freight Island, Diecast, BOX, The Lawn Club, Courts Club, The Grosvenor and The Station Hotel in Altrincham.