The government has confirmed national licensing extensions for pubs showing home nation matches during the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. However, no automatic extensions apply for group stage games, meaning venues must rely on existing licences or apply for temporary event notices (TENs) to stay open later.
For England and Scotland knockout matches, pubs with standard 11pm licences can automatically extend hours: until 1am for kick-offs between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm. This does not cover matches starting after 10pm, for which venues would need a TEN.
During the group stage, pubs must operate within their normal licensed hours. For games kicking off after 9pm, fans should check with venues to confirm they have a late licence or have obtained a TEN. Many pubs are expected to seek TENs for popular matches, such as England's 10pm kick-off against Panama on June 27.
The automatic extensions only apply when England or Scotland are playing in knockout rounds; they do not cover matches involving other teams. Additionally, the extensions do not override council curfews on outdoor areas, so fans watching in beer gardens should verify that the venue will still show the game at later times.
