The government extends the opening of the bar until five in the morning in preparation for England’s World Cup match against Mexico

English football fans will be able to cheer on the Three Lions from their local pub until the final whistle after the UK Government confirmed that pubs and bars across England and Wales can remain open until 5am on Monday for their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico.The extension of the special license comes ahead of England’s knockout match in Mexico City, which kicks off at 1am UK time on Monday. Under normal licensing rules, many venues would have been forced to close before the match had finished, requiring individual pubs to apply for provisional licenses well in advance. Instead, the government used emergency powers to temporarily relax alcohol licensing laws, allowing fans to watch the entire match together without interruption.Football fans, pub owners and hospitality groups have welcomed the decision, saying the move will not only create a better atmosphere for fans, but will also provide an important financial boost to businesses anticipating one of the busiest nights of the tournament.Normally, pubs wishing to trade after licensed opening hours must submit a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to their local council at least five working days in advance.

With England only securing their place in the last 16 after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1, not many stadiums had a realistic chance of progressing before the next opponent or kick-off time was known. Recognizing the exceptional circumstances, the government invoked powers available under the Licensing Act, which allows ministers to extend working hours for events deemed to be of “exceptional international, national or local importance.” Similar facilities have already been granted for England’s previous World Cup matches, but Monday’s match presented a unique challenge because the 1am kick-off meant the game would continue beyond the previously approved licensing period.Announcing the decision, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Football may be returning home but we are making sure fans don’t have to.”He added that allowing pubs to remain open until the final whistle was good news for both fans and pubs who play an important role in bringing communities together during major sporting events. The decision was warmly received by the hospitality industry, which emphasized throughout the tournament that the World Cup matches in England provided an important opportunity for pubs to recover from years of rising costs and changing consumer habits.Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), described the move as a victory for both fans and businesses. “Pubs and fans will be thrilled about this decision, because we all know the best place to watch the game is local.”She added that the tournament was very important for the sector and praised the government for its quick response to the industry’s concerns.The extension is expected to lead to increased spending on food and beverages, while encouraging thousands of fans to watch the match in a communal setting rather than at home.Several major pub operators have already confirmed plans for the installation. Greene King, one of Britain’s largest pub chains, has announced that more than 600 pubs across the UK will remain open to show the England match, with many customers encouraged to book tables in advance due to high demand.England booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a thrilling 2-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo, with captain Harry Kane scoring one of two late goals to secure qualification. The reward is a knockout encounter with Mexico at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, one of the most iconic stadiums in world football.Due to the time difference between Mexico and the UK, the match will start at 1am GMT and is expected to finish shortly after 3am, with extra time and penalties potentially extending into the early hours. Without the license extension, many bars would have been forced to stop serving alcohol or close before the match ended. While fans welcomed the decision, transfer could still be a challenge. Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that there will be no special overnight Tube extension beyond existing services, meaning many supporters will need to plan their journeys home carefully. The authorities also urged fans not to drink and drive and to make use of taxis, designated drivers or public transport where available. The temporary licensing order applies to England and Wales only and is valid throughout the night covering the England v Mexico match. Participating pubs and bars are allowed to remain open until 5am on Monday, eliminating the need for individual license applications and giving venues the flexibility to serve customers throughout the match and any post-match celebrations. For fans, this means they can get together with friends and enjoy a full knockout match, and if England qualify, they can celebrate the result without worrying about being asked to leave before the final whistle.