World Cup 2026: Emergency law allows pubs in London to stay open until 5am for England v Mexico game

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Evening Standard

·2 July 2026

World Cup 2026: Emergency law allows pubs in London to stay open until 5am for England v Mexico game

Sir Keir Starmer announced the move after facing a barrage of calls to relax licensing laws

Sir Keir Starmer is rushing ahead with an emergency law for pubs to remain open until 5am for England’s World Cup game against Mexico.

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The outgoing Prime Minister is taking the step after a surge in calls for a nationwide relaxation of the licensing laws.

Thousands of pubs will be spared from having to apply for a special licence to stay open for the game which kicks off at 1am on Monday.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is signing a legislative power which allows an extension of licensing hours on occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”.

Sir Keir said: “Football might be coming home but we're making sure fans don't have to.

"Pubs staying open til the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.“

Communities Secretary Steve Reed is writing to council leaders informing them of these changes.

Earlier, Sir Sadiq Khan appealed to London boroughs to work with the hospitality industry to keep open pubs for England’s last 16-tie against Mexico.

The Mayor of London stepped in after the Government initially rejected pleas for a blanket extension of licensing hours for the World Cup clash at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet.

Harry Kane’s team is heading for the challenging showdown after the England captain scored twice in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan is urging town halls to work with pubs so they can stay open for the England v Mexico game

As millions of fans are working out where to watch the Mexico game, a spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: “The Mayor is urging local authorities in the capital to work closely with the hospitality industry to allow pubs to stay open into the early hours of Monday morning - so that Londoners can back our pubs and cheer on in England as they take on Mexico.”

London business chiefs, though, had piled pressure on the Government to do more to allow pubs to stay open for longer and urged Sir Sadiq to consider running the Night Tube into the early hours of Monday so fans can get home.

Ros Morgan, chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, which represents over 500 businesses, said: "Major international sporting moments like the World Cup bring people together and create a real boost for London's hospitality and night-time economy.

“Where England progresses to exceptionally late knockout fixtures, it makes sense for the Government to show flexibility and allow pubs and bars to remain open for the duration of the match, including any extra time and penalties.

"It would also make sense to consider extending the Night Tube in London on the night of the group of 16 match.

“Providing safe, reliable transport home would allow businesses to maximise this opportunity while giving fans confidence that they can celebrate responsibly and get home easily.”

Sir Sadiq Khan is being urged to consider running the Night Tube into the early hours of Monday

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While the Government passed measures to allow pubs to stay open until 2am for England matches in the knockout stages that kick off between 9pm and 10pm, this did not initially apply to Monday’s match.

Instead, pubs were due to have to apply for a "Temporary Event Notice" from their local council, the licensing authority, to stay open.

But Sir Keir an Arsenal fan, came under huge pressure to make it easier for pubs to stay open for England’s remaining World Cup games.

Reform UK economic spokesman Robert Jenrick slammed the licensing process: “This is ridiculous.

“Just issue a decree that any pub in the land can stay open late on Monday. It’s been done before.”

Thousands of Londoners slipped off work early on Wednesday to watch England beat the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But skills minister Baroness Smith is urging fans not to bunk off on Monday, or allow their children to miss school.

Harry Kane scoring his second goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo

Liberal Democrat Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson also called for a blanket extension to licensing hours for the Mexico match during business and trade questions in the House of Commons on Thursday.

He said: “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, and this is a good thing.

“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.”

But on Thursday morning business minister Kate Dearden poured cold water on the prospects of a nationwide relaxation of the licensing laws.

She said: 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.

“Regarding Sunday, unfortunately that doesn’t apply with the 1am start, but going forwards we’re absolutely backing our pubs, so people can watch and support our lads, and it’s coming home hopefully.”