Councils are under pressure to approve extended opening hours for pubs so fans can watch England’s 1am World Cup Round of 16 tie with Mexico. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has urged councils to allow late licences, but existing extensions don’t cover a 1am kick-off and many venues still need Temporary Event Notices—leaving the fate of late-night watch parties in local hands.
Councils urged to approve late licences for England v Mexico World Cup tie
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has written to councils and publicly urged them to sign off applications that would allow pubs to stay open for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am on Monday. The plea comes after pubs warned they may not be able to show the game because existing measures to extend licensing hours don’t cover such a late kick-off.
Why current licensing rules leave pubs in limbo
Existing government measures to extend pub opening hours for England matches apply only to fixtures that kick off between 9pm and 10pm and generally allow venues to remain open until around 2am. A 1am start falls outside that window, so many pubs must apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) if they want to screen the match and stay open later. Industry bodies say approvals are not automatic and some councils are already reluctant to grant extra hours.
Industry alarm and political pressure
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, has raised concerns about pubs that lack TENs and risk being unable to host fans. Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson called for a blanket extension to licensing hours, warning pubs could miss a major trading opportunity if councils refuse. Steve Reed’s interventions—both written and public—aim to prod reluctant authorities, framing the issue as one of supporting local businesses and community morale.
Government and opposition responses
Downing Street has stressed that licensing decisions remain a local matter and said parents should decide whether children stay up to watch the match. Labour’s leader and his team have acknowledged the same practical dilemma facing many supporters who will be at work on Monday. Ministers and some MPs have offered light-hearted commentary about staying up, but the operational decision rests with individual councils and their licensing committees.
What this means for pubs, fans and local economies
For pubs, an approved late licence can deliver a valuable boost in takings and footfall; a refusal can mean lost trade and disappointed customers. For councils, decisions must balance public order, staffing for late openings, and residents’ concerns. The practicalities of approving TENs at short notice—police and environmental health objections can complicate the process—mean some venues may still be unable to show the match even with government encouragement.
What landlords should do now
Apply for Temporary Event Notices immediately and keep local licensing officers, police and environmental health contacts informed. Clear plans for stewarding, noise management and cleaning will strengthen applications. Communicate with customers about whether the venue will screen the match so fans can make alternative plans if necessary.
Analysis: missed opportunity for clearer national guidance
The patchwork approach—central encouragement but local discretion—leaves too much to chance on a high-profile match night. A blanket, time-limited extension would have eliminated uncertainty and ensured a level playing field for pubs and supporters.
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With only hours to decide, friends, families and local businesses are left navigating inconsistent local policies. Councils that approve will capture the economic upside and community goodwill; those that refuse risk foregoing both.
The Independent
