Will the pubs be open for England vs Mexico at 1am on Monday?

Jul 2, 2026 - 16:15

Pubs across the country are scrambling to secure special permission to stay open late for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico.

The fixture kicks-off at 1am on Monday, July 6, which equates to 6pm in Mexico City.

World Cup opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium — This is the last fixture being hosted at the Azteca for the 2026 World Cup

Current laws mean venues can only extend hours until 2am for any fixtures that start by 10pm.

While the Home Office previously granted pubs special dispensation to extend licensing hour for the tournament, the late-night Mexico clash has not qualified.

This now means landlords must now submit a ‘Temporary Event Notice’ to their local council to remain open until 3:30am, in case the match is forced into extra-time or penalties.

However, some venues are already having their applications rejected because they failed to submit them within the ‘five-working days’ window.

The Secretary of State for Communities, Steve Reed, has written to local authorities across the country to urge them to approve these last-minute applications.

The unusual timing has also prompted supporters to ask Keir Starmer to call for a snap bank holiday Monday so the nation can recover from the high-stakes clash.

However, the government has issued a firm refusal regarding a day off.

But it is understood the Prime Minister is now considering allowed pubs to stay open until the end of England’s match.

What have people said?

The Liberal Democrats and Reform are calling for pubs to remain open, with discussion remaining ongoing in the Houses of Parliament today.

Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson said: “Harry Kane two goals last night means England fans are looking forward to an early morning or late night depending on one’s perspective on Monday.

Thomas Tuchel during a press conference — England are eyeing the World Cup quarter-finals

“This is a good thing but pubs risk missing out on a real opportunity to get more money in the till if ministers do not make a blanket extension for licensing.

“Will minsters consider that, and talk to the ministers in other departments, so fans can enjoy the game in the pub?”

Even the England manager has begged parents to allow their children to stay up to watch the game.

Thomas Tuchel said: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.

“There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”

However, skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith did not agree with the German.

She responded to his comments: “I don’t want to be a killjoy here, but I’ll tell you what the biggest killjoy is – young people who then don’t have the learning to be able to go on and do what they need to do in life.

England fans at Boxpark Croydon during the win over Croatia — England fans are known to love a good drink

“I quite understand if people want to watch the match, including young people, I will be.

“I’ll be having a little disco nap in the afternoon and I’ll be celebrating our victory the next morning when I go into work, looking obviously as fresh as a daisy.”

Crazy England kick-off times

The previous five international tournaments have suited England’s time zone, with Qatar 2022 being deemed ‘perfect’ with a schedule of games ranging from 10am to 8pm.

Russia, South Africa and Germany run on a similar time zone to the UK and even Brazil 2014 was adapted towards a European audience, with the latest kick-off time being 11pm.

The last-time scheduling heavily impacted the Three Lions fans was during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Some matches began as early as at 6:30am, with the latest fixture of the day ending around lunchtime.

Even the last time the competition was hosted in North America, the schedule was not as dramatic for the English.

At the 1994 and 1986 World Cups, broadcast times ranged more comfortably from 7pm to 10pm.