Pints till penalties! PM Starmer lets pubs stay open for England vs Mexico
FIFA World Cup 2026: The UK government has allowed pubs and bars in England and Wales to stay open until 5 a.m. for England's World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico. The move cuts red tape for venues and gives the hospitality trade a timely lift for a high-stakes late-night fixture.
PM Keir Starmer allows pub sn abars to remain open late night for England v Mexico (Photo Reuters)
Pubs and bars across England and Wales will be allowed to remain open until 5 a.m. on Monday, July 6, after the UK government temporarily relaxed licensing rules for England's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move on Thursday, July 2, saying the decision would allow supporters to watch the late-night knockout fixture without venues being forced to close before the final whistle.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 1 a.m. UK time in Mexico City, is expected to attract huge crowds at pubs and bars as England continue their World Cup campaign.
"Football might be coming home, but we're making sure fans don't have to," Starmer said in a statement. "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!"
The temporary extension removes the need for individual pubs and bars to apply for special permission to serve alcohol beyond their usual licensing hours. Instead, the Home Secretary has exercised legislative powers that allow licensing hours to be extended for occasions considered to be of "exceptional international, national or local significance." Similar relaxations were introduced for England's earlier World Cup fixtures that kicked off before 10 p.m (UK time).
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The extended opening hours are expected to provide a boost to England's hospitality sector, with pubs anticipating a surge in customers for the country's first knockout match of the tournament.
Normally, licensed venues would have to submit individual applications to remain open beyond standard closing times. By temporarily relaxing the rules nationwide, the government has removed that administrative hurdle, allowing pubs and bars to continue serving customers until 5 a.m.
The hospitality industry also welcomed the announcement, saying it would benefit both fans and businesses.
"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," Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said.
The decision reflects the significance of England's World Cup campaign and follows previous licensing exemptions granted during major national sporting occasions. Officials believe the move will not only enhance the matchday experience for supporters but also generate additional business for pubs, many of which rely on major sporting events to drive trade.
England face Mexico in a high-stakes Round of 16 encounter, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line. With the match taking place in the early hours of Monday morning for UK viewers, fans across England and Wales will now be able to watch the entire contest from their local pub without worrying about an early closing time.
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