Extended pub hours bid for England vs Mexico World Cup 1am kick-off rejected
The Government has rejected calls for a blanket extension to pub licensing hours ahead of England’s late-night World Cup clash against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am UK time on Monday
England fans soaking up the World Cup atmosphere at Freight Island(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
The Government has formally dismissed cross-party appeals for a universal extension to pub licensing hours in the run-up to England’s forthcoming late-night World Cup showdown with Mexico.
This decision implies that fans eager to watch the Round of 16 match – set to kick off at 1am UK time on Monday, 6 July – will be faced with limited viewing options. This has led hospitality chiefs to caution about lost economic prospects.
The Home Office had previously allowed pubs special permission to extend licensing hours until 1am or 2am for late kick-offs. However, the England vs Mexico game does not qualify, as confirmed by the Department for Communities and Local Government in an update.
As reported by Politics UK, both Reform and the Lib Dems were urging the Government to issue an emergency licencing extension for the crucial fixture. The matter was brought up in the House of Commons on Thursday (2 July) during business and trade questions, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson urged ministers to step in, highlighting the immense public interest following England’s nail-biting 2-1 triumph over the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Harry Kane’s heroics last night means that many England fans are looking forward to an early morning or a late night, depending on one’s perspective, on Monday,” Wilkinson stated. “But pubs risk missing out on a real opportunity to get more money into the till if ministers do not make a blanket extension for licensing hours.”
Responding on behalf of the Government, Business Minister Kate Dearden praised the national team’s performance but maintained a firm stance on the licensing restrictions.
“He will know that pubs can stay open for an extra two or three hours, depending on how late the match starts, so that pubs can still open as the game finishes,” Dearden said. “Regarding the match, unfortunately that doesn’t apply with the 1am start.
“Going forwards we’re absolutely backing our pubs, so people can watch and support our lads, and it’s coming home hopefully,” she added.
Unless individual establishments possess existing late-night licences or have successfully secured a Temporary Event Notice (TEN), standard licensing hours will be enforced on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning.
Hospitality representatives have voiced their disappointment, highlighting that international tournaments deliver crucial revenue increases for British high streets.
A recent study by UK Hospitality revealed that pub reservations soared by almost 300% in the run-up to England’s opening fixture of the tournament against Croatia. It’s undeniable that pub landlords and venue proprietors reap significant benefits from major football tournaments.
Analysis of transaction data by Reward reveals that England group matches at Euro 2024 resulted in a 42% surge in sales.
