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Britain is gearing up for another summer of spectacular goals, nail biting penalties and (hopefully not) crushing disappointment, because the World Cup is officially back from June 2026. Could the Three Lions bring it home? Only time will tell. One thing we do know, however, is that pubs are going to be allowed to stay open much later during tournament. There’s nothing like football and beer to bring the nation together.
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson has told MPs that boozers may be allowed to serve until 1am or even 2am on match days during the World Cup 2026. The longer opening hours would account for knockout games featuring the home nations – with the competition taking place in North America, some fixtures may not begin until after well after midnight.
Last week Parliament passed a bill which would make it easier to allow pubs to open later for football matches or other national occasions.
Speaking during a statement in the House of Commons that also announced a support package for business rates for pubs, Tomlinson said: ‘I can also announce today that pubs and other licensed venues will be able to open until 1am or 2am depending on when the game starts for home nation games in the later stages of the men's football World Cup this summer.
‘And we will legislate to increase the number of temporary events notices for pubs and other hospitality venues, whether that is to help them screen World Cup games or other community and cultural events.’
England and Scotland have already qualified for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11. Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could also qualify if they win their play-off fixtures.
In more pubs news, Wetherspoons is opening 12 new boozers before July 2026, including one in Europe.
And one boozer has been named the best pub in the UK for the third time in a row. Cheers to that!
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