The World Cup is about to kick off with a bang – and so will many pubs across the UK! Thanks to relaxed licensing rules, hospitality venues can now roll out the red carpet for late-night revelry. The government's guidance allows pubs to stay open until 2am on match days, catering to the time difference caused by the tournament in the US, Mexico, and Canada. This is a game-changer for England and Scotland fans who want to enjoy their teams' games without feeling rushed.
Landlords can currently apply for a 'temporary events notice' (TEN) to extend their hours, but now councils are being encouraged to grant blanket extensions for pubs showing home nations' matches. This means they can stay open until 1am for games kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, and as late as 2am for 10pm kick-offs. England's knockout stages will see the most late openings, while Scotland's first game against Haiti on June 14th could also mean late-night drinking.
But don't expect all pubs to be open till the wee hours – industry experts say it won't happen. Many landlords will assess demand as the tournament progresses and only offer extended hours if there's a genuine need. Even in knockout games, an early finish might leave just a handful of late showings per match.
The World Cup Final on July 19th could be a problem for some pubs, though. The Night Time Industries Association estimates that around 3,000 venues are only licensed until 10:30pm on Sundays, which means they'll need to apply for a TEN by July 3rd – but refusals are final and might already have used up their annual allowance of 15 TENs.
While this is a welcome boost for the pub industry, it's only a temporary reprieve from its deeper troubles. Energy bills are rising, food and drink costs are increasing, and staffing shortages are putting pressure on businesses. Many landlords see the late World Cup nights as a drop in the ocean compared to their ongoing financial struggles.