UK Extends Pub Hours For World Cup Round Of 16
UK pubs in England and Wales will stay open until 5:00 AM for England's World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico on July 6, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorizing the extended hours to keep fans in bars during the early-morning kick
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given the green light for pubs in England and Wales to extend their hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match, when the Three Lions face Mexico. England will take on hosts Mexico in the Round of 16 on July 6 at 1:00 AM local time, equivalent to 7:00 AM Thailand time. Starmer has authorized pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5:00 AM local time, with the Prime Minister stating that "football may be coming home, but we're making sure fans don't have to go home." England had previously permitted extended alcohol service hours at pubs during the 2026 World Cup, shifting the standard closing time from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM for matches kicking off between 5:00-9:00 PM, and extending to 2:00 AM for matches starting between 9:00-10:00 PM.
