The Government has made an Order under the Licensing Act 2003 which extends licensing hours for licenced premises in England and Wales during specific FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 matches.

The extension applies only where England or Scotland are playing in a qualifying knock-out match and only to premises that already hold a premises licence or club premises certificate permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises until at least 11pm on the day of the match. Existing licence conditions still apply.

The extension also applies to late night refreshment where the premises is licensed for the on-sales of alcohol until 11pm. It does not apply to off-licences, to premises licensed only for late night refreshment, or to regulated entertainment.

The Order applies only in England and Wales and only when England or Scotland are playing in one of the qualifying knock-out matches listed in the legislation. If no home nation is playing in a relevant match, the national extension will not apply.

For qualifying matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, permitted hours for the sale of alcohol are extended from 11pm to 1am the following morning. For qualifying matches kicking off after 9pm and up to 10pm, permitted hours for the sale of alcohol are extended from 11pm to 2am the following morning. This applies to the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match and final.

Any qualifying knock-out match kicking off before 5pm or after 10pm is not covered by the Order. If you wish to trade beyond your normal licensed hours for one of those matches, you will need to give (within restrictions) a Temporary Event Notice.

Please take particular care if England or Scotland reach the final. The national extension will only benefit premises that are already licensed to sell alcohol until 11pm on Sunday 19 July 2026. If your Sunday licence ends earlier, for example at 10.30pm, the Order will not extend your hours and you will need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to remain open later.

The Order does not apply to the group stage fixtures listed below. Please check your existing licensed hours carefully, as you may need a Temporary Event Notice if you intend to extend trading for any of these matches.

England Group L

Wednesday 17th June kick off at 9pm
Tuesday 23rd June kick off at 9pm
Saturday 27th June kick off at 10pm

Scotland Group C

Sunday 14th June kick off at 2am
Friday 19th June kick off at 11pm
Wednesday 24th June kick off at 11pm

NOTE: the strict timescales for submitting a TEN have not changed for the World Cup

See our Temporary Event Notice page for more information

Seek further guidance from your licensing consultant.