World Cup 2026: How late are London pubs staying open to screen the games?

World Cup 2026 is nearly here, promising a festival of football on a scale never seen before.

With the tournament being hosted in the USA, Mexico and Canada, all the matches will kick off between 5pm and 5am UK time. While most footy fans will be pleased that the games are outside of normal working hours, the late (and very early) kick-offs pose a challenge for people keen to soak in the atmosphere in a pub.

Thankfully, the government has confirmed national licensing extensions for pubs showing home nation’s games during the knockout stages.

But these same automatic extensions don’t apply for England and Scotland games in the group stage - meaning some games will potentially be tougher to watch.

However, venues with existing late licenses can continue to operate as usual.

No automatic extensions to venues’ normal operating hours have been granted by the Government for the World Cup group stages.

This in short, means that pubs and venues will be allowed to serve drinks within their standard agreed licensed hours, and stick to their permitted opening times.

This will mean that pubs with a standard 11pm licence should be able to show games kicking off at up to 9pm within their normal hours without any issues.

To watch a later game without any problems, fans should seek a venue that has a later licence.

However many pubs with a standard 11pm licence are likely to seek a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to stay open later for big games with later kick-offs, such as England’s group stage game with Panama Saturday, June 27, that kicks off at 10pm. These applications for temporary late licences are expected to be approved in most situations.

But in short, and to be safe, if you want to watch a particular game that kicks off after 9pm, check with the venue where you are planning on watching, to see it will be showing the game.

An automatic extension has been granted by the government to pubs in England and Wales showing England or Scotland games during the knockout stages.

This means any pub or venue with a standard 11pm alcohol license can stay open later without applying for an extension.

For games that kick off between 5pm and 9pm, licensing hours are extended until 1am and for those that kick off between 9pm and 10pm, licensing hours are extended to 2am.

However, this only applies when England or Scotland are playing in a knockout round.

Currently, the extension will not apply to any potential matches that kick off for home nations in the knockout stages after 10pm.

Licensed “on-trade” venues, such as pubs, bars and restaurants, at this stage, would have to apply for a Temporary Event Notice if they wish to stay open later.

But the government could look again at the terms of the automatic extension if this scenario arises.

If neither Scotland nor England are on the pitch, the automatic licensing extensions for the knockout games don’t apply.

So be prepared for some venues not serving alcohol past 11pm for knockout matches not involving the home nations, if they haven’t applied for a TEN.

It will always be safer to check a venue is showing a game that kicks off after 9pm.

Nothing says British summertime like watching football in a beer garden, but plans may be foiled under council curfews.

It’s important to check that the venue you’re attending will still be showing the football outside at later times as the extension does not cover curfews.

For a kick-off beyond 9pm in the group stages, it’s best to check the venue where you are planning on watching is showing the game and has a late licence for it.

Below are the kick off times for the group stage games for each nation.

England

Scotland

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If England and Scotland reach the knockout stages, for games that kick off between 5pm and 9pm, licensing hours at pubs will automatically be extended from 11pm until 1am and for those that kick off between 9pm and 10pm, licensing hours will be extended from 11pm to 2am.

For a later kick-off time than 10pm, pubs without a late licence will need to apply for one through a TEN.