Keir Starmer has approved a relaxation of licensing laws, allowing pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5 AM on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico. The game, part of the knockout stages, is set to kick off at 1 AM UK time at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. This move bypasses the need for individual premises to apply for extended hours, a change that is expected to bring significant financial benefits to the hospitality sector.
Previously, licensing hours had been extended for other World Cup matches, allowing pubs to stay open until 1 AM for kick-offs between 5 PM and 9 PM, and until 2 AM for kick-offs between 9 PM and 10 PM. However, the 1 AM start time of the England-Mexico match fell outside these existing regulations, necessitating this new blanket extension. Before Starmer's intervention, pubs would have needed to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) at least five working days in advance, a deadline that had already passed for this specific match.
The decision has been widely welcomed by industry figures, including Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, who stated that "Pubs and fans will be over the moon about this decision." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will use her legal power through "occasions of exceptional international, national or local significance" to implement this extension. Communities Secretary Steve Reed is also informing council leaders of these changes, emphasizing the government's support for the hospitality businesses and football fans. The match is expected to be watched by millions, with official figures showing 16.3 million people tuned in for England’s previous game against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
