England's World Cup campaign continues with a last-32 match against DR Congo on Wednesday at 5pm BST. After winning their group with seven points, the Three Lions are now in the knockout stages, and fans are hoping pubs will be allowed to stay open late for subsequent matches.
England's Group Stage Performance
England topped their group with seven points from three matches. Croatia finished second on six points, followed by Ghana and Panama. The team secured a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday night, with goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Crowds gathered at the Times Square fanzone in Newcastle to celebrate, as reported by ChronicleLive.
Potential Late-Night Matches
If England defeats DR Congo, they will advance to the last 16, where the match is scheduled to kick off at 1am BST. This has raised questions about whether pubs can extend their opening hours to accommodate fans.
Government Support for Extended Hours
Earlier this month, Communities Secretary Steve Reed urged local leaders to quickly approve special screenings and beer garden events. He stated that “the fun police” should not hinder “sensible” outdoor celebrations. The government also proposed reducing red tape for “pavement pints” and al-fresco dining by extending the two-year licence period for businesses.
Pubs would be allowed to stay open until 2am if any home nation reaches the knockout stage. Local authorities were asked to expedite temporary event notices for later openings and special screenings. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasized a “common sense” approach, noting that some councils impose closing times based on noise concerns.
Licensing Changes
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced plans to change the licensing period for pavement licences, currently capped at two years, to reduce bureaucracy. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: “Councils support communities coming together to enjoy the World Cup and will be working with pubs and residents to make licensing decisions based on local conditions and community needs.”
Ultimately, councils will decide on late openings, balancing various factors. This builds on existing extensions allowing pubs to stay open until 1am for England knockout matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm.
