Local authorities are being urged not to stand in the way of football fans wanting to watch World Cup matches in pubs and beer gardens this summer.
From Thursday (11 June), pubs and beer gardens across the country are expected to fill with football fans as the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins. In the run-up to the tournament, supermarket shelves have been stocked with England flags, shirts and even face paint, while World Cup banners and flags have appeared in living room windows, parks and on the side of buses.
Some may see the measures as excessive, but the government has gone one step further. Ministers are urging councils to quickly approve applications from pubs seeking later opening hours and permission to hold outdoor screenings during the tournament in England and Scotland.
Under plans already announced, pubs will be able to stay open until 1am for England and Scotland knockout matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for games starting between 9pm and 10pm.
MPs are also promising to make it easier to serve food and drink outdoors by extending pavement licenses and reducing paperwork.
‘Nothing brings us all together like a World Cup summer and cheering on England in a packed pub with everyone glued to the game,’ prime minister Keir Starmer said. ‘Red tape should not get in the way of fans enjoying the game with friends and local pubs doing a great trade too.
‘A pavement pint in the sunshine discussing the agony of penalties and soaking up the atmosphere is what pubs are all about and we are backing them.’
Steve Reed, communities secretary, agreed that the best World Cup moments ‘are the ones we watch together, and for every England game we need to pack out our local pubs and get them buzzing.
‘We’re asking councils to support as many applications for special events as possible, because the last thing any of us want to see is people being turfed indoors half-way through penalties.
‘So let’s show the fun police the red card, get behind England and back our pubs.’
The government said some councils have imposed early closing times on pub gardens because of noise concerns, but ministers want local authorities to take what they describe as a common-sense approach during key matches.
Emma Reynolds, environment secretary, added: ‘With some councils imposing pub garden closing times based on strict noise concerns, we’re asking them to apply a common sense approach during our crucial knockout matches so fans can back our team and support their local pubs.’
As some councils consider their final decisions on temporary event notices, the government said authorities that unnecessarily delay or block applications could face scrutiny.
Image: Shutterstock
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