UK Pubs to Stay Open Until 5am for England-Mexico Match
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- Keir Starmer announced Thursday that pubs can stay open until 05:00 Monday, reversing an earlier government decision that licensing would not be relaxed further for the World Cup
- The England-Mexico round-of-16 match in Mexico City kicks off at 01:00 UK time Monday and is not expected to finish until after 03:00
- Under existing World Cup rules, closing time was already extended to 01:00 for kick-offs between 17:00 and 21:00, and to 02:00 for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00 — individual pubs normally must apply to their local council at least five working days in advance for extended hours
- British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said the extension was good news for "supporters and pubs," an endorsement echoed by Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill
- RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis warned fans should not drive "until much later in the day" because, with weekend hot weather, "tiredness, dehydration and alcohol can be a lethal combination behind the wheel"
- CIPD director of profession David D'Souza reminded employers they are "under no obligation to make special arrangements" around Monday's match
Why it matters: Pubs gain a rare one-off late licence for a single fixture, but weekend heat plus post-match driving creates a concrete road-safety window from 03:00 onward, prompting the RAC's specific warning against early-morning driving. The CIPD's separate reminder pre-empts employer expectations for a workday that begins after most fans have gone to bed.
