UK pub rules for the late Mexico vs England World Cup kick off – what you should know
Key Points
- The government will not extend pub licensing hours for England v Mexico, which kicks off at 1am UK time.
- Existing rules let pubs open until 1am for 5pm–9pm kick-offs and 2am for 9pm–10pm kick-offs.
- Matches starting after 10pm fall outside the national extension.
- Pubs needed a Temporary Event Notice at least five working days in advance – too late for most to apply.
- Some pubs that applied early based on England's projected route can legally show the match.
The government has ruled out extending pub opening hours for England’s World Cup clash with Mexico, which kicks off at 01h00 UK time on Monday morning, leaving most pubs legally unable to show the match.
The decision came in the House of Commons, where Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson asked whether ministers would consider extending licensing laws on Sunday “so fans can enjoy the game in the pub”.
“Pubs will miss out on a real opportunity to get money in the till if ministers do not make a blanket extension for licensing hours,” Wilkinson said.
Business Minister Kate Dearden said the existing relaxation would not be stretched to cover the 01h00 start in Mexico City.
“Pubs can stay open for an extra two to three hours depending on how late the match starts so pubs can still open as the game finishes,” she said.
“Regarding Sunday, unfortunately that doesn’t apply with the 01h00 start but going forwards we are absolutely backing our pubs so people can watch and support our lads, and it’s coming home hopefully.”
What the current rules allow
The government relaxed licensing rules in April so England and Scotland fans could watch World Cup matches in the pub, extending hours from 11h00 to 01h00 for games kicking off between 17h00 and 21h00.
Pubs can also stay open until 02h00 for kick-offs between 21h00 and 22h00.
The relaxation applies automatically to licensed premises in England and Wales without venues needing to apply individually, and covers the tournament period, which runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Crucially, however, matches kicking off before 17h00 or after 22h00 fall outside the national extension – and the 01h00 start against Mexico lands squarely in that gap.
Outside the blanket extension, pubs can apply to their local council for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to stay open late.
A TEN must be submitted no later than five working days before the event, meaning pubs that had not already applied ahead of the match ran out of road this week.
Some establishments plotted England’s potential progress through the tournament in advance and have already secured notices, but venues that waited for the fixture to be confirmed have been left without options.
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We remain in close contact with government about concerns raised by publicans who want to show the match but haven’t got TENs in place.
“It would be a crying shame for fans and pubs if our locals weren’t able to host such an important match.”
Red tape in the way
The refusal sits awkwardly alongside the government’s own World Cup messaging. Communities Secretary
Steve Reed previously called on councils to fast-track “sensible” applications for late opening, special screenings and beer garden events, warning that authorities which unnecessarily blocked applications would be held to account.
“The best World Cup moments are the ones we watch together, and for every England game we need to pack out our local pubs and get them buzzing,” Reed said at the time.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck a similar note, saying: “Red tape should not get in the way of fans enjoying the game with friends and local pubs doing a great trade too.”
The government also set out plans to make it easier for pubs to serve food and drink outside, increasing the maximum term length for pavement licences – which currently cost £350 to renew – as part of measures building on the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme.
