The UK Government has confirmed that pubs across England and Wales will be permitted to stay open until 5am on Monday July 6 to allow fans to watch England's Round of 16 World Cup match against Mexico. The decision, announced by outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday afternoon, overrides previous guidance that left extended hours to local councils.
Match Details and Timing
England secured their place in the knockout stage after defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday July 1. The match against Mexico kicks off at 1am on Monday July 6, meaning it runs beyond the usual 2am extension previously granted for England matches. The new ruling ensures pubs can remain open until the final whistle.
Earlier, the Liberal Democrats had called for a blanket extension of licensing hours, but Downing Street initially stated that “it is for local councils to make those decisions.” However, before the 5am announcement, a spokesperson for Downing Street revealed that letters had been sent to councils encouraging them to approve extended hours for late games.
Government and Industry Reaction
Sir Keir Starmer 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. The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!”
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), welcomed the decision: “This is fantastic news and will be hugely welcomed by operators. The government has listened to the overwhelming public support for England and recognised the challenges facing pubs and licensed premises across the country. This pragmatic approach allows venues to focus on what matters most – bringing communities together to support the national team. Major sporting occasions like this deliver a significant boost to hospitality businesses while creating an atmosphere that unites the country. As England heads into one of the biggest games of the tournament, let's get behind the team, support our local venues, and give the country something positive to celebrate. We hope this weekend marks not only a memorable occasion for England on the pitch, but also a much-needed boost for our hospitality sector and the communities it serves.”
Emma McClarkin, CEO 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. This tournament is hugely important for our sector, so we're delighted the government listened to our concerns and acted so quickly. Now we can carry on being the home of live sport and welcoming fans through the door.”
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: “England’s march towards World Cup glory is something millions of fans want to support. This very welcome announcement from the government allows those that want to enjoy the game in pubs and other hospitality venues to get together to cheer on our Three Lions.”
