Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for England Mexico match

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer performed a late U-turn on Thursday, allowing pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 05:00 on Monday to accommodate the Three Lions’ World Cup round-of-16 clash with Mexico. The decision overturned an earlier refusal to relax licensing laws further for the tournament, giving fans a chance to watch the 01:00 kick-off without rushing out of their local at half-time. The government had initially signalled that no additional extensions would be granted beyond the already approved late-night provisions for earlier World Cup fixtures.

Why the change matters

The government had already extended licensing hours for World Cup matches, permitting venues to stay open until 01:00 for games starting between 17:00 and 21:00, and until 02:00 for later kick-offs. But the Mexico game, set to finish after 03:00 UK time, required an additional adjustment. Starmer framed the move as a nod to both supporters and businesses, declaring: “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the shift, noting that “the best place to watch the match is down the local.” The industry’s relief is understandable: pubs typically need five working days’ notice to apply for extended hours, a process now bypassed by central government intervention. The association had previously highlighted the financial strain on venues from missed revenue during earlier restricted hours, particularly for high-profile fixtures.

What comes next — and the risks

The RAC cautioned that late-night drinking combined with fatigue and dehydration could heighten road risks. Rod Dennis, a spokesperson for the motoring organisation, advised drivers to wait “much later in the day” before getting behind the wheel, citing tiredness, alcohol, and heat as a “lethal combination.” The Met Office has forecast temperatures reaching 30°C in parts of southern England on Sunday, further elevating concerns over dehydration and heat exhaustion among spectators.

Employers, too, face practical challenges. The CIPD stressed that any flexibility for staff watching the match must be agreed in advance, with no obligation on companies to accommodate late-night viewing. David D’Souza, the organisation’s director of profession, said: “Employees should not assume arrangements will automatically be available.” He added that businesses should communicate clear expectations to staff, particularly for roles requiring early starts or travel on Monday.

Tactical shift: from policy to practicality

The government’s reversal reflects a broader tension between public celebration and public safety. Licensing authorities had already stretched rules for earlier World Cup games, but the Mexico fixture demanded a bolder step. By centralising the decision, Starmer’s administration sidestepped the usual council-by-council process, prioritising fan experience over bureaucratic hurdles. The move also aligns with the government’s broader push to support high-street businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, which has faced ongoing financial pressures since the pandemic.

Yet the decision exposes gaps in preparedness. Pubs now face operational unknowns: staffing levels for an unscheduled late opening, transport links for late-night dispersal, and enforcement of closing times by local authorities. The RAC’s warning underscores a reality often overlooked in tournament euphoria: alcohol, fatigue, and heat form a dangerous triad on the roads. High-profile incidents during previous tournaments, such as the 2018 World Cup, have already prompted calls for better coordination between police, councils, and transport providers.

The England vs Mexico match kicks off at 01:00 UK time on Monday, with pubs granted a rare overnight reprieve. Whether the gamble pays off—safely—will depend on how fans, venues, and authorities manage the fallout. For now, the Three Lions’ supporters have one less thing to worry about: finding a place to watch the game until the final whistle.