Pubs in England and Wales can stay open until 2am for World Cup knockouts
Pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 2am for home nation matches in the later stages of this summer’s World Cup.The extension means 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, the government announced today.Many pubs in the UK typically close at 11pm, in line with the 2003 Licensing Act.If England win their group, they could face Brazil in a humdinger of a quarter-final match in Miami on Saturday July 11, scheduled for a 10pm kick off time.Both semi finals, on Tuesday July 14 and Wednesday July 15, are scheduled to start at 8pm (UK time). The final is on Sunday July 19 and kicks off at 8pm (UK time).If England top group L – where they will play Croatia, Panama and Ghana – their round of 32 match will take place on Wednesday July 1 at 5pm. If they win that, their round of 16 match would then take place in Mexico City on Sunday July 5 at 1am.Matches kicking off after 10pm are not included. For all other games where pubs want to open late, a temporary event notice is required, though the government is looking into ways to extend hours for more home nation fixtures.Pubs were also permitted to stay open late for the finals of the women’s and men’s European Championship in 2022, 2024 and 2025.“The pub has and always will be the home of live sport and there’s no better place to gather under one roof during moments of huge national significance and make memories,” Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said last month.“Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit and extending licensing hours will mean that people can gather for longer at their local to cheer on our brilliant teams.”With this summer’s tournament staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, many fixtures start late for a UK audience, with some matches kicking off in the early hours.That includes Scotland’s opening fixture at the tournament – their first showing at a World Cup since 1998 – where they play Haiti on Sunday June 14 in Foxborough at 2am (UK time).Wales are still hoping to book their place at the World Cup, but must first overcome Bosnia & Herzegovina in a playoff semi final against Bosnia & Herzegovina on March 26, before facing the winner of Italy vs Northern Ireland.Elsewhere today, the government announced that, from April, pubs and music venues will see a 15 per cent reduction in business rates, with no rises for two years. That comes amid fears of widespread pub closures and job losses in the industry.
