The UK's hospitality sector has received a significant boost with the confirmation that England's group stage matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off before midnight UK time. Industry leaders have welcomed the schedule, which alleviates fears that the North American tournament would force fans to watch games in the early hours.
England's Fixtures Bring Prime-Time Cheers
The confirmed schedule shows England will play all three group games at sociable hours for UK viewers. Thomas Tuchel's side will begin their campaign against Croatia on June 17 at 9pm UK time (3pm local in Texas). They face Ghana on June 23 at 9pm UK time (4pm in Boston), and conclude the group stage against Panama on June 27 at 10pm UK time (5pm in New Jersey).
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UK Hospitality, stated: "This news is a welcome boost for the hospitality industry. Everyone knows that if you aren't able to attend the game itself, your local pub or bar is the next best place to do it." She added that operators would be "pulling out all the stops" to ensure fans get the best experience.
Scotland's Late Nights and Licensing Calls
While England fans can celebrate, the picture is more complex for Scotland supporters and the venues hoping to host them. Scotland's fixtures involve much later starts, including a 2am UK time kick-off against Haiti on June 14 and two 11pm starts against Morocco and Brazil.
Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association highlighted the risk this poses to a potential £3 million boost per match for Scotland's pubs. He called for urgent flexibility from licensing boards: "This is a once-in-a-generation moment... but with kick-offs at 11pm and 2am, that opportunity is at risk. We're calling for temporary licensing statements for the whole of the tournament."
Government Considers Extended Hours
In response to the tournament schedule, the UK Government has launched a consultation on extending pub licensing hours for next summer. The proposal would allow already licensed venues to stay open until 1am for semi-finals and finals involving any of the home nations, provided the match kicks off at 9pm UK time or earlier.
This mechanism was successfully used for the Women's Euros and the King's coronation. The final itself, on July 19 in New Jersey, is scheduled for an 8pm UK time start, perfectly poised for extended trading.
For the hospitality sector, the World Cup represents a crucial opportunity for a summer sales surge. The alignment of England's key fixtures with prime evening hours promises packed pubs and a much-needed economic lift, provided licensing authorities facilitate the celebrations.
