Less than one month until World Cup 2026 kicks off

With just under a month to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026, operators of licensed premises should now be actively preparing their venues. While the government has confirmed limited extensions to licensing hours, these do not cover all scenarios – meaning venues that rely on them alone risk falling short of what’s needed to operate lawfully or maximise trading opportunities. Early planning will therefore be key to ensuring compliance and making the most of what is likely to be a busy summer.

The tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026 and runs through to the final on 19 July 2026.

Here we examine the national licensing relaxations already confirmed for licensed premises during the tournament, alongside key preparatory steps operators may wish to consider.

Extensions to hours

The government has announced a series of “contingent relaxations” (i.e., extensions of licensing hours) in England and Wales during the knockout stages of the tournament. There are no such relaxations proposed for the group stages.

The relaxations will operate as follows:

• For any knockout stage match involving England or Scotland kicking off between 17:00 and 21:00 BST, the hours for the sale of alcohol on the premises will be extended to 01:00, provided the premises is already licensed to sell alcohol until at least 23:00; and
• For any knockout stage match involving England or Scotland kicking off between 21:01 and 22:00 BST, the hours for the sale of alcohol on the premises will be extended to 02:00, again subject to the premises holding an existing licence until at least 23:00.

Possible routes through the tournament for England and Scotland, together with kick-off times, details of any national relaxations/extensions and deadlines to submit Temporary Event Notices (TENs) can be found here.

Temporary Events Notices (TENs)

Importantly, depending on how they fare, England could play their round of 32 match at 00:00 BST or their round of 16 game at 01:00 BST, while Scotland could play their round of 32 match at 02:00 BST.

Premises in England and Wales seeking to extend hours with the anticipation of the home nations featuring in these games should submit TENs.

Indeed, TENs will be required in any of the following circumstances:

• Any extended hours required during the group stages;
• Any extended hours required for the knockout stage matches with kick-off times beyond 22:00 which will not benefit from the national extension;
• Any trade beyond 01:00/02:00 respectively for the knockout stage matches which will benefit from the national extension – e.g. if a venue wants to trade until 03:00 instead;
• Any extended hours required for regulated entertainment, as the national provisions operate in respect of hours for sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises only;
• Any changes to/relaxations of conditions during any matches;
• Any extended hours or changes to conditions for any matches which will not feature England or Scotland (either because England or Scotland wouldn’t be scheduled to feature, or because they don’t progress to that stage in the tournament); and
• Any extended hours need for any match for a premises which does not have existing permission to trade until 23:00 (as the national extension only applies to those which do).

Premises requiring assistance with the submission of TENs are encouraged to contact the licensing team.

Other considerations

As well as TENs, operators should consider the following well in advance of the tournament:

• Whether an appropriate commercial TV licence is in place to permit the broadcast of live sport to customers;
• That appropriate Filmbank or other licences are in place where anything other than live sport is to be broadcast;
• That PRS and PPL licences are in place if music is to be played at the venue;
• Whether any changes might be needed to the use of outdoor spaces for longer summer nights, and if so whether any new or revised pavement licences may be necessary; and
• That an appropriate risk assessment has been completed for match screenings, including considerations of:
             • Appropriate levels of SIA security staff provision
             • The use of non-glass vessels
             • Crowd management and dispersal at full time, particularly following a home nations loss.

Operators should act now to prepare, as relying on national relaxations alone won’t cover all scenarios.

Any premises considering any events/style of operation outside of the ordinary course of their business during the period of the World Cup are encouraged to contact the licensing team for early advice on compliance and risk management.  

This publication is intended for general guidance and represents our understanding of the relevant law and practice as at May 2026. Specific advice should be sought for specific cases. For more information see our terms & conditions.