England's World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico kicks off at 1am BST on Monday, July 6, 2026, and pubs across England and Wales have been granted an emergency licensing extension to stay open until 5am to show the game live.
Government Reverses Earlier Decision
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the extension on Thursday, July 2, after business minister Kate Dearden had initially stated that licensing laws would not be relaxed for the late-night fixture. The U-turn followed backlash from the public, MPs, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Starmer said allowing venues to remain open until the final whistle is "fantastic news for communities and supporters alike." The home secretary is using special legislative powers to extend standard operating hours for events of exceptional national significance, with a statutory instrument being laid in parliament.
Relief for Pub Owners
Before the intervention, many independent pub owners had missed the five-day deadline to apply for temporary event notices, and several councils had rejected late requests, meaning venues would have been forced to close by 2am. The new directive overrides these restrictions.
Industry leaders, including the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the move, noting the tournament has already provided a multi-million-pound boost to hospitality. They emphasised that the local pub remains the best place for fans to gather and share the matchday experience.
Workplace Flexibility
Several major firms and banks have announced flexible working arrangements for Monday, allowing employees to work from home or log on after 7am to recover after the late-night match.
