Late night licenses approved for the World Cup

The UK government has announced that pubs in England and Wales can open late for any home nation knockout match in the men’s football World Cup. The tournament starts in June and will run across the US, Canada and Mexico. Venues can open until 1am for knockout ties and 2am for 10pm kick-offs, with the option to apply for a temporary licence for matches with very late start times.

Hospitality operators planning to capitalise on the World Cup should review staffing levels, security arrangements and local licensing requirements ahead of the tournament. Venues may also benefit from creating dedicated match-day menus, drinks offers and booking packages to maximise customer spend during late-night fixtures.