Government confirms extended licensing hours for the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026

The UK Government has confirmed that pubs in England and Wales will benefit from extended licensing hours during key matches of the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, forming part of a wider support package designed to back British pubs and boost hospitality trade.

The announcement follows the Government’s ongoing commitment to support the pub sector through business‑rates relief, planning flexibilities, and targeted licensing reforms. As part of this package, ministers have now confirmed that pubs will be permitted to stay open later—without the need to submit a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)—for specific Home Nation fixtures during the tournament.

Extended hours for Home Nation matches

Under the proposed Licensing Hours Order, pubs will be allowed to extend opening hours for the sale of alcohol on the premises during the later stages of the tournament, provided a Home Nation team (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) is playing. The extensions will apply as follows:

• Until 1am for any quarter‑final, semi‑final, or the final if the match kicks off at or before 9pm (BST)
• Until 2am for any quarter‑final with a 10pm (BST) kick‑off
• Matches starting after 10pm (BST) will not fall within the scope of this relaxation and will therefore require a TEN if premises wish to open later

These measures are designed to reduce administrative burdens on pubs while enabling communities to gather and celebrate major sporting moments together.

Temporary Event Notices still required for other matches

While the relaxation covers key late‑stage fixtures, the Government has been clear that premises will still need to submit a TEN for any other matches where they wish to extend their hours. However, ministers have indicated that options are being explored to extend opening hours for additional Home Nation games, signalling that further flexibility may follow as the tournament approaches.

Context: consultation on licensing hours for the 2026 World Cup

The extended‑hours policy aligns with the Government’s formal consultation on relaxing licensing hours for the Men’s World Cup 2026. The consultation outlines the legal basis for a Licensing Hours Order under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, which allows extended opening hours for events of “exceptional international, national or local significance.” The assessment confirms that extending hours until 1am for semi‑finals and the final—where a Home Nation progresses and the match begins at or before 9pm—would reduce the need for individual TEN applications and support both businesses and local authorities.

Part of a broader support package for pubs

The licensing extension forms one element of a wider government support package aimed at helping pubs thrive amid ongoing economic pressures. Measures include:

• A 15% cut to new business‑rates bills from April, followed by a two‑year real‑terms freeze
• A review of valuation methods for business rates
• A new High Streets Strategy to support retail, leisure, and hospitality
• £10 million for the Hospitality Support Fund to help pubs expand community services
• Planned consultations on planning flexibilities to help pubs expand or adapt their premises.