The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026
The Government has now made The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026, confirming extended opening hours for licensed premises in England and Wales, during key stages of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
The Order was made on 12th May 2026 and will come into force on 8th June 2026. You can access the order by following the link above.
The Order permits pubs, bars, clubs and other on‑trade premises already licensed for on‑sales of alcohol, to stay open later on the days of specified knockout‑stage matches, the round of 32, round of 16, quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final, but only when England or Scotland are playing. Where this applies, operators will not need to submit a Temporary Event Notice to benefit from the extended hours.
The following is hopefully an explanation for anyone who is considering opening beyond their permitted hours:
“The Order only extends to premises in England and Wales, and only when England or Scotland are playing in one of the games listed in the Order.
Without going into the minutiae of each and every date and time that is specified, the Order extends the period when alcohol can be sold for two hours from 23:00, so until 01:00 the following morning, for any knock-out game involving England or Scotland which kicks off on or before 21:00, and for three hours from 23:00, so until 02:00 the following morning, for any knock-out game involving England or Scotland which kicks off after 21:00 but on or before 22:00.
The Order is very much as the Home Office had suggested it would be, but what it does mean is that any knock-out game kicking off after 22:00 is not covered by the Order and in order to extend any hours on a Premises Licence a Temporary Event Notice would need to be issued.
The Order does not extend the hours for entertainment. The hours for late night refreshment are also extended if the premises are also licensed for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises to 23:00.
Premises need to be very careful should one of the home nations reach the final because the Order only extends the hours for premises which are licensed to sell alcohol until 23:00 on Sunday 19th July 2026.
There will be many pubs which are only licensed to 22:30 on a Sunday and, therefore, the Order will remarkably not extend the hours for those pubs for the final if the pub is only licensed until 22:30, and the only way to extend the hours for those pubs on the day of the final therefore would be by way of a Temporary Event Notice.”
Attached to this email is a guidance document, ‘Managing World Cup 2026 Success - Advice for licensees showing FIFA World Cup football matches’, issued by the British Beer & Pub Association. This document outlines best practice and contains useful advice for venues.
Plus, White Ribbon UK has developed a free Match Day Kit containing practical tools and resources to help individuals, venues, communities, and other organisations promote respect, support others and speak up safely throughout the tournament.
Find out more about the campaign and download the Match Day Kit
Also attached is the flowchart included in our original email. This highlights relevant dates for Temporary Event Notices and will help you with planning.
Please could we ask you to keep both the Police and Licensing Unit informed of any planned events. Then finally, submit any Temporary Event Notices as soon as possible and complete the attached form, so events can be factored into our contingency planning.
Planning for the World Cup 2026 - Matches, timings and TENs dates
Planning for the World Cup 2026 - Events and Promotions
Planning for the World Cup 2026 - Events and Promotions
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada between the 11th of June and 19th July 2026. Due to the location, kick off times are primarily in the evening and early hours of the morning.
This will be an exciting time for supporters as both England and Scotland have qualified.
Operators and licence holders may wish to hold specific ‘events’ or ‘promotions’ before, during, and after matches to maximise footfall.
You can submit a TEN via Bolton Council’s website by following this link: Business and licensing: Apply for a temporary event notice
We would urge you to not utilise the Late TEN process. If an objection is received to a Late TEN from the Police or Environmental Health (Regulatory Services) your event will not be permitted. It’s vital that TENs are submitted in good time, and we would encourage you to submit TENs as soon as possible. Attached below is a useful document provided by one of the licensing practitioners, which outlines matches, timings and TENs dates.
Consideration should be paid to the additional risks associated with any additional hours sought, and risk assessments carried out to ascertain what additional safeguards should be put in place, to ensure the licensing objectives are promoted, for example: are additional door staff needed; should there be additional staff training; should polycarbonate glassware be used; how will customers be getting home from early morning kick-offs?
The Government has outlined its intention to make a contingent licensing hours order (please note the order has not yet been approved) for England and Wales, so communities can come together at their local licensed premises to support the qualifying home nations (England and Scotland) beyond the group stages.
Extract from Relaxation of licensing hours for the Men's Football World Cup 2026 - GOV.UK
When a home nation is playing, we will extend licensing hours:
- from 11pm to 1am for kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm
- from 11pm to 2am for kick-offs after 9pm up to 10pm
for the:
- round of 32
- round of 16
- quarter-finals
- semi-finals
- bronze medal match
- final
Matches starting before 5pm or after 10pm will not benefit from a national extension.
Individual licensed on-trade venues can apply for temporary event notices so their venue can stay open longer.
If no home nation is playing in any matches that qualify for the extension, the order will not apply.
This instrument will allow licensed premises in England and Wales already licensed to 11pm, and subject to their existing licence conditions, to remain open for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises and provision of late-night refreshment.
Planning for the World Cup 2026 - Matches, timings and TENs dates
World Cup Business Engagement
Ahead of the World Cup, please find attached a leaflet from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service which outlines important fire safety considerations to help you plan and manage events safely.
The link and QR code provided at the bottom of the leaflet will direct you to the relevant webpage, where you will find further information, guidance, a video, and a survey.
Please review this information and ensure appropriate measures are in place at your premises.
Action Counter Terrorism (ACT) Engagement Event 2025 - North West
We have been asked to share the below with all our licensed premises by Counter Terrorism Policing North West
Please see attached NW ACT engagment event flyer.
You are invited to the below event. This event is aimed at raising awareness of the CT threat and we will be signposting businesses to advice, guidance and providing them with updates on the work that police and partners do to mitigate the terrorist threat.
If you / any businesses would like to be notified of any future free CT awareness events that we run in the NW then please email CTSA@gmp.police.uk and a member of the team will add you onto our Business Sentinel list.
Summer Fire Safety
As we step into summer, a season marked by several key events that can boost your trade and footfall, we want to underscore the critical importance of maintaining fire safety within your premises. This not only ensures the well-being of your staff but also safeguards your customers.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has provided valuable fire safety information to assist you and your staff in making your premises safer. By raising awareness and educating people about fire safety measures, we can collectively create a safer environment. Attached, you’ll find three documents containing useful guidance on how to comply with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, which applies to all licensed premises.
Additionally, we invite you to participate in an anonymous feedback survey. Your insights are invaluable, and we are committed to continuously improving our services. If you could spare 5 minutes to complete the survey, we would greatly appreciate it.