World Cup licensing in Scotland
Extended hours policies by licensing board
Questions as to how and where to watch Scotland play their FIFA World Cup matches in America were raised as soon as the team qualified back in November last year. With warm up matches for the World Cup nearly underway, excitement is certainly building. We have been providing information (sometimes just as announcements were being made) on the approach taken by licensing boards across Scotland in relation to the extension of on-sales hours to allow premises to show the World Cup matches. We are now able to collate that information and provide it in an easy to access and comprehensive way. The approach taken by the various licensing boards does differ and we hope that this summary allows a quick and easy reference point.
As always, the Licensing team at TLT is on hand to support and answer any questions. If you have any specific queries, please contact us directly. For tailored advice, please contact Michael McDougall or call him on 07970 496413.
General extension*
Yes - all World Cup matches
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open: 1) until 0300 hours for the purposes of televising any World Cup match; and 2) until 30 minutes after the conclusion of any match involving Scotland
Extended hours required?**
Only if you are seeking hours post 3am for matches not involving Scotland
General extension*
Yes - Home Nations only and all matches quarter finals onwards
Details of general extension
1) Premises screening matches involving the Home Nations to allow premises screening the matches to remain open until 30 minutes after full time; and 2) The extension will also apply from the quarter final stage onwards regardless of the teams playing
Extended hours required?**
Only for matches pre quarter final stage that do not involve the Home Nation
Further details
A notification to the Licensing Board of intention to use the extension is required in advance
General extension*
Yes - Scotland only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open for 30 minutes after the conclusion of a Scotland match. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not cover other nations’ matches
Extended hours required?**
Required for any matches not involving Scotland
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open: 1) for 30 minutes after Scotland matches end; and 2) for all other World Cup matches, premises will be allowed to stay open until 1am to show the games or 30 minutes after any 11pm kick-off match ends – whichever is later
Extended hours required?**
Only in relation to any match not involving Scotland and outwith the aforementioned terms
General extension*
Yes - Home Nations only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open for 30 minutes after full time of any match involving the Home Nations
Extended hours required?**
Only in relation to any match not involving the Home Nations
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
Premises are allowed to remain open for 30 minutes after the end of any match where it is being shown within the premises
Extended hours required?**
No
General extension*
In part
Details of general extension
In relation to Scotland -v- Brazil and Scotland -v- Morocco, premises can open until 30 minutes after the full time whistle
Extended hours required?**
For the Scotland -v- Haiti match, an application for an extended hours certificate will be required as well as any other match
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
Premises may remain open for 30 minutes after the end of any World Cup match where it is being shown within the licensed premises
Extended hours required?**
No
General extension*
Scotland only
Details of general extension
General extension granted for Scotland matches only
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all non-Scotland matches
Further details
Notification to the police and the Board of an intention to remain open must be made by 16 April
Key dates
16 April for any notifications
General extension*
No
Details of general extension
N/A
Extended hours required?**
Applications for extended hours certificate by premises licence holders. Closing time will be 30 minutes after the final whistle for those successful in extending their hours
Key dates
The deadline for submission of applications will be 31 March 2026
General extension*
Scotland only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the end of Scotland matches where it is shown live on the premises
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all non-Scotland matches
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
May remain open only to a maximum of 30 minutes after the final whistle of all World Cup matches
Extended hours required?**
Required any matches not involving Scotland. Licence holders must, at least 48 hours before any extended hours, notify the Board of the dates they wish to trade
Further details
See here for more
General extension*
Home Nations only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain only when screening matches involving any of the Home Nations until half an hour after the end of the match
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all non-Home Nation matches
General extension*
No
Details of general extension
N/A
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all matches
Key dates
31 March for any extended hours applications
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
Premises may remain open until 30 minutes after the end of World Cup matches being screened live on the premises
Extended hours required?**
No
General extension*
Scotland only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the end of Scotland's World Cup matches that are being screened live
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all non-Scotland matches
General extension*
Yes
Details of general extension
Premises may remain open until 30 minutes after the end of World Cup matches being screened live on the premises
Extended hours required?**
No
General extension*
Scotland only
Details of general extension
Premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the end of Scotland's World Cup matches that are being screened live
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all non-Scotland matches
General extension*
No
Details of general extension
N/A
Extended hours required?**
Yes - for all matches. Must be submitted by 31 March
Notes
- * Please note that only premises licensed for the sale of alcohol on the premises are entitled to benefit from a general extension. You will require televised sports on your premises licence unless advised to the contrary by the licensed board.
- ** An extended hours certificate will be required should you wish to stay open pass the terminal hour on your premises licence and the general extension does not extend the hours.
You should contact the Licensing team at TLT if you have any questions.
This publication is intended for general guidance and represents our understanding of the relevant law and practice as at March 2026. Specific advice should be sought for specific cases. For more information see our terms & conditions.
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