Men's football World Cup 2026 licensing information

The UK government has confirmed that licensing hours for pubs and bars in England and Wales will be relaxed during the Men's football World Cup 2026 to support England and Scotland during the tournament.

The Men's Football World Cup 2026 will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

Update: England v Mexico (Round of 16), Monday 6 July, kick-off 1am (BST)

The Government have announce that licensed premises across England and Wales will be able to stay open until 5am (BST) on Monday 6 July for the England v Mexico match. This means licensed premises will not need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN), subject to their existing licence conditions.

This relaxation only applies to the England v Mexico match and differs from the general licensing hours extensions outlined below.

More information GOV.UK: Pubs to stay open for Sunday night's England v Mexico World Cup match

Approved licensing extensions

Licensed premises (on-trade only) can extend their hours without a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) under the following conditions:

When a home nation is playing, licensing hours will be extended:

• from 11pm to 1am for kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm
• from 11pm to 2am for kick-offs after 9pm up to 10pm

for the:

• round of 32
• round of 16
• quarter-finals
• semi-finals
• bronze medal match
• final

Matches starting before 5pm or after 10pm will not usually benefit from a national extension. Individual licensed on-trade venues can apply for temporary event notices so their venue can stay open longer. However, a separate national extension has been announced for the England v Mexico Round of 16 match on 6 July 2026.

If no home nation is playing in any matches that qualify for the extension, the order will not apply.

This instrument will allow licensed premises in England and Wales already licensed to 11pm, and subject to their existing licence conditions, to remain open for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises and provision of late-night refreshment.

Key restrictions and requirements

• On-Premises only: This applies only to venues already licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on-site (e.g., pubs, bars, clubs).
• Off-Licences: The relaxation does not apply to supermarkets or off-licences.

More information can be found on the GOV.UK website: Relaxation of licensing hours for the Men's Football World Cup 2026.

Apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

Please note, a TEN is not required for the purpose of staying open until 5am to show the England v Mexico Round of 16 match on Monday 6 July. This is subject to your existing licensing conditions.

Apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)