Extended licensing hours during FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across multiple cities in North America, covering four different time zones. This means kick-off times will vary, with some matches taking place in the evening and others starting late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
All kick-off times referred to in this guidance are British Summer Time (BST).
Kick-off times and late finishes
The first matches of the day are expected to kick off from around 5 pm, while some later matches may not begin until the early hours of the morning.
Matches will be broadcast in the UK on either BBC or ITV.
Due to the timing of some matches, the Government has introduced a national extension to licensing hours for certain FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures. This applies only to licensed premises in England and Wales.
Key restrictions and requirements
The extended licensing hours apply only to premises already licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, such as pubs, bars, and clubs.
The extension does not apply to:
- Supermarkets or other off-licences selling alcohol for consumption elsewhere
- Premises that do not already hold the relevant on-sales alcohol licence
When does the extension apply?
The national extension applies when a home nation team (England or Scotland) is playing in the following stages:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Bronze medal match
- Final
The extension allows premises that are already licensed until 11 pm to remain open for longer:
- Kick-off between 5 pm and 9 pm: licensing hours extended until 1 am
- Kick-off after 9 pm up to 10 pm: licensing hours extended until 2 am
The extension allows the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises and the provision of late-night refreshment, subject to existing licence conditions.
When does the extension not apply?
The extension does not apply to:
- Group stage matches
- Matches where no home nation team is playing
- Matches starting before 5 pm or after 10 pm
If you wish to remain open beyond your existing licensed hours for a match that is not covered by the extension, you will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
Premises that are not normally licensed until 11 pm on the day of a qualifying match will also need to apply for a TEN to extend their hours.
Planning for late kick-offs
Some matches may have very late kick-off times, including matches starting at 2 am or later. If you plan to extend your opening hours, consider the impact on customers, staff, and nearby residents.
You should consider:
- Displaying signage asking customers to leave quietly and respect residents
- Providing information about transport options, including local taxi services and public transport
- Speaking with your local police team before submitting a TEN application for late-night matches
Good planning will help ensure that customers can enjoy the tournament while events run safely and responsibly.