UK government allows pubs to open until 5am to show England vs. Mexico in World Cup
The UK government will allow pubs across England and Wales to stay open until 5am on Monday morning to enable fans to watch England’s World Cup last-16 match against Mexico.
The match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will kick off at 1am UK time and the announcement came after the government had said earlier on Thursday that it would not relax licensing laws further than they already have been for this summer’s tournament.
On Thursday afternoon, however, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that pubs would be allowed to stay open for the knockout game, which is not expected to conclude before 3am.
Good news. pic.twitter.com/y1mrxvynsK
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 2, 2026
Many pubs in the UK typically close at 11pm, in line with the 2003 Licensing Act.
The government had announced in March that pubs in England and Wales would be allowed to stay open until 2am for matches involving home nations which qualified (England and Scotland) in the latter stages of the tournament. Pubs can stay open until 2am for quarter-finals starting at 10pm, and until 1am for quarter-finals, semi-finals, or the final starting at or before 9pm.
However, the last-16 game against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am (BST), did not fall into that extension.
Any pub wishing to stay open for these hours must have applied for a temporary event notice at least five working days in advance, meaning that those which had not submitted such an applicated by Friday, June 26, are now no longer able to apply.
The government had initially ruled out extending pub opening hours in the aftermath of England’s last-32 win over DR Congo on Wednesday.
Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson asked in the House of Commons on Thursday if the government would consider extending licensing laws on Sunday for the fixture, but Business Minister Kate Dearden said this would not happen.
After paying tribute to England captain Harry Kane’s performance against DR Congo, Dearden said: “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.
“Regarding Sunday, unfortunately, that doesn’t apply with the 1am start but going forwards we are absolutely backing our pubs so people can watch and support our lads, and it’s coming home hopefully.”
However, outgoing Prime Minister Starmer later clarified that pubs would be allowed to stay open longer.