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England's World Cup Run Could Extend Pub Hours
5 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Pub opening hours could be extended to 1am for football fans.
- The proposal applies if home nations reach World Cup quarters or beyond.
- This move aims to boost the struggling hospitality sector.
Pubs across England and Wales could soon be extending their hours, potentially serving customers until 1am, should any home nation reach the latter stages of the upcoming World Cup. This proposal, championed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, targets games where home teams advance to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, or the final match.
This potential extension is a welcome prospect for the hospitality sector, which has been contending with escalating operational expenses, significant tax burdens, and increased minimum wage costs. Industry figures anticipate that major sporting events like the World Cup can drive substantial economic activity, with trade typically seeing an increase of over 20 per cent during such tournaments.
