Pubs in England and Wales will now be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday to allow football fans to watch the Three Lions’ World Cup clash with Mexico.
It comes after several boozers – including here in Kent – called for licensing rules to be relaxed to allow them to stay open longer beyond their usual hours.
The government initially said it wouldn’t blanket extend licensing hours.
But in a much-welcomed U-Turn this evening (Thursday, July 2) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced pubs across England and Wales will now be able to stay open until 5am for the match.
One pub initially forced to turn away football fans for England’s next match this weekend was The Vineyard in West Street, Sittingbourne.
Speaking after the U-Turn its manager James Eakin said: “It’s definitely a relief. It feels like things are more in sync.
“It feels like the government has actually backed us up for a change.”
Mr Eakin said the pub would now be free to show England’s round of 16 showdown with Mexico in the Azteca at 1am.
But he added: “I just wish the decision came sooner, as opposed to having to go around all this song and dance.
“I’m glad that they’ve changed their minds but the fact that it’s Thursday today and obviously the game is fast approaching, it’s not as easy as people think to get the quick turnaround of staff and have security sorted.
“I’ve got my management team on it so I think we’ll definitely be prepared.
“But I think there’s going to be a lot of pubs that are going to struggle to get things sorted in time with such late notice.”
The Vineyard, which is one of the town’s largest pubs featuring more than 20 televisions for live sport, says it had been inundated with hundreds of messages asking if the game would be shown.
Before the change, Mr Eakin said: “Our customers quite reasonably assumed that meant we’d be showing every England game. Instead, we’ve spent days apologising to people and explaining that we legally can’t open.”
Although the government had issued a temporary licensing extension for pubs, bars, and clubs, it didn’t apply to the game this weekend which was later than the Three Lion’s kick offs so far which had been 9pm and 10pm local time in the group stage before the 5pm match with DR Congo.
Under the government’s FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours Order 2026, eligible venues can extend their opening and sale and supply of alcohol hours.
If a kick-off is between 5pm and 9pm they can stay open from 11pm to 1am.
If the game starts between 9pm and 10pm, they can operate between 11pm and 2am.
But for matches that began before 5pm or after 10pm there was no extension, and venues were asked to pay £21 for a temporary events notice (TEN) from its local authority.
The Sittingbourne pub said the deadline to apply for a TEN passed before the latest game was confirmed.
Due to the limited amount available a year, usually used for Christmas, Bank Holidays and other major events, it had not applied for one to cover when the team “might” be playing.
The change removes the need for individual premises to apply for extended hours
James added: “This isn’t just about The Vineyard. This affects pubs right across Sittingbourne. We’ve all invested in extra staff, extra stock and preparations to support England and bring people together.
Monday’s match is not expected to finish until after 3am.
Starmer said on Thursday afternoon that pubs could stay open until the final whistle.
“Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to,” he added.
“Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.”
Elsewhere in the county, The Cricketers in Dover had commented on its inability to show the match “unless Sir Keir makes another famous U-Turn”.
Before the change KentOnline approached local authorities across the county about their rules around licensing for the match.
Dover District Council has confirmed only one venue submitted a Temporary Event Notice in time to legally stay open late for the July 6 match, warning that the deadline has now passed for any other premises to do so.
While Ashford Borough Council stated it has no legal power to grant a blanket approval or local relaxations for the July 6 fixture, meaning venues must rely entirely on their existing licenses or a pre-processed Temporary Event Notice.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council clarified its licensing authorities have no legal framework to blanket-approve late hours locally, adding that any submitted Temporary Event Notices are subject to potential objections from the police or environmental health.
Tunbridge Wells Council and Maidstone Council confirmed they have not introduced any local changes and are not considering a blanket relaxation for football matches.
A spokesperson for the latter said: “Businesses and football fans should be aware that any licensing hour extensions available for England’s World Cup matches are being provided through national legislation, with existing licence conditions continuing to apply.”
Tonbridge and Malling Council also requires a TEN for the game but says it is now too late to apply for one.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We know many football fans will be hoping to watch the England match at their local pub in the early hours of Monday morning.
“While councils cannot provide blanket approval for Temporary Event Notices, we have worked with businesses wishing to extend their opening hours.
“We encourage anyone planning to watch the match at licensed premises to do so considerately and to respect local communities.”
The local authority has received seven applications for the upcoming game. They are for:
– King And Queen, 1 New Road, East Malling, ME19 6DD
– George And Dragon, 17 Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge TN10 3DN
– Station House, 8 Barden Road, Tonbridge TN9 1TX
– The Cardinals Error, Lodge Oak Lane, Tonbridge, TN9 2EP
– The Man Of Kent, 226 Tonbridge Road, Tonbridge TN12 5LA
– Ye Olde Chequers Inn, 122 High St, Tonbridge TN9 1AS
– The Punch And Judy, 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge TN9 2AB
Medway Council received a number of TEN applications. It also says there is not enough time between now and the game for any more to be submitted and approved.
There are 14 which have been granted in Medway. They are:
– Domino’s, 143A High Street, Rochester, ME2 4TJ
– Royal Crown, 2 High Street, Rochester
– City Wall Wine Bar, 120 – 122 High Street, Rochester
– Coach And Horses, 40 London Road, Strood
– The Cricketers, Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham
– White Lion Hotel, 325 High Street, Chatham
– The Cannon, 15 Garden Street, Brompton
– The Tiger Moth, Highview Drive, Chatham
– The Star Hotel, Watling Street, Gillingham
– The Cricketers Inn, 88 High Street, Rainham
– The Bounty, Bligh Way, Strood
– Queen Charlotte,159 High Street , Rochester
– White Horse, 95 High Street, Rainham
– Prince Of Wales Hotel, 1-3 Railway Street, Chatham
