UK pubs to get extended hours for England World Cup match

Pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to serve drinks later into the night to accommodate fans watching the England vs. Mexico World Cup match. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the extension, allowing establishments to remain open until 5 a.m. The game kicks off at 1 a.m. British time, and with potential extra time and penalties, it could run until nearly 4 a.m. Under normal rules, pubs must close by 2 a.m.

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Football might be coming home, but we'll make sure the fans don't have to.

"Football might be coming home, but we'll make sure the fans don't have to," Sunak said in a statement. "This is good news for fans and for the pubs that bring our communities together. The whole country will be behind the team. Come on, England."

The government has decided on a blanket extension of operating hours, meaning publicans will not need to apply for individual special licenses. The new rules, however, do not apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Hospitality industry representatives welcomed the measure, anticipating a significant boost in revenue and a surge in fan gatherings during the World Cup broadcasts.

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This is good news for fans and for the pubs that bring our communities together. The whole country will be behind the team. Come on, England.

Meanwhile, the British government also stated that schoolchildren can watch the England match and still attend school on Monday, despite the late hour. England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, had previously urged parents to write absence excuses for their children so they could follow the game. "The World Cup happens once every four years. Let them watch. We need the support of everyone, especially the children," Tuchel said.

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The World Cup happens once every four years. Let them watch. We need the support of everyone, especially the children.