Keir Starmer Lets England Pubs Stay Open Until 5am for Mexico World Cup Match

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that pubs and bars across England and Wales will be able to stay open until 5am for the England v Mexico World Cup last-16 match, which kicks off at 1am UK time on Monday.

“England vs Mexico Round of 16 clash will be the perfect occasion for traditional English pubs to stay open until 5 a”

AS México

The decision follows earlier licensing rules that had set later closing times for some World Cup fixtures, but Monday’s 1am start meant the match was not covered by the original relaxations.

BBC

The match is scheduled at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the government change removes the need for individual premises in England and Wales to apply for extended hours.

In the run-up to the reversal, business minister Kate Dearden had said the government would not relax the rules further to cover England v Mexico, adding that “Unfortunately that doesn’t apply with the 1am start” while backing pubs “going forwards.”

The licensing change came after MPs and pub owners pushed for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the tournament.

During Thursday’s House of Commons session, Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson asked whether ministers would reconsider pub opening hours, and business minister Kate Dearden responded that no further extension was planned.

Bristol Live

After that earlier position, Starmer later confirmed the late change, with the Irish Independent quoting him saying: “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.”

The Guardian described the reversal as following “a fierce backlash, including from Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London,” and quoted a spokesperson for Khan urging local authorities to work with hospitality to allow pubs to stay open into the early hours of Monday morning.

The late kick-off at 1am UK time and the likely finish after 3am raised questions about schools and workplaces, with Sky Sports describing a “knock-on effect in schools and workplaces” even as pubs and bars could stay open until 5am.

“PM confirms pubs can stay open until 5am for England-Mexico World Cup match The Prime Minister has said pubs will allow to stay open for England's next World Cup match against Mexico on Monday Sir Keir Starmer has announced pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open for fans into the early hours for the England v Mexico World Cup match on Monday”

Bristol Live

England head coach Thomas Tuchel urged families to put football before school, saying: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on,” and he added that “the World Cup is every four years.”

Sky Sports also reported that education secretary Bridget Phillipson said watching the match did not necessarily mean children need to miss school, telling the Press Association: “It's a late game, but children can be in school the next day.”

Beyond the match itself, the government framed the licensing extension as a boost for hospitality, with the GOV.UK release saying it “removes the need for individual premises in England and Wales to apply for extended hours,” while Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association called it “fantastic news” for operators.