FIFA World Cup 2026: Licensing considerations for late-night screenings

With just 20 days to go until the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 kicks off, licensed premises should already be finalising their operational and licensing plans.

As matches are hosted across the USA, Mexico and Canada, many fixtures will fall during late evening and night-time hours in the UK. For pubs, bars and other licensed venues intending to screen games, this creates both an opportunity and a compliance challenge.

Early preparation is essential to ensure trading remains lawful, well-managed, and aligned with licensing conditions.

Group Stage Matches: TEN requirements

During the group stages, if a premises wishes to operate beyond its existing premises licence hours, it must apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to its local authority.

This is the key mechanism for extending trading hours where no national relaxation applies.

Key World Cup Match Deadlines for TEN Applications

To assist licensed premises in planning ahead, the table below outlines key World Cup fixtures alongside the relevant Temporary Event Notice (TEN) application deadlines. This is intended to help operators identify when standard or late TEN submissions will be required to ensure lawful late-night trading.

Knockout Stages: National licensing extensions

Where England or Scotland progress beyond the group stages, a national licensing hours extension applies for knockout fixtures.

Licensed premises may remain open later as follows:

• 11:00pm to 1:00am – matches with kick-off between 5:00pm and 9:00pm
• 11:00pm to 2:00am – matches with kick-off after 9:00pm and up to 10:00pm

These extensions apply to:

• Round of 32
• Round of 16
• Quarter finals
• Semi finals
• Bronze medal match
• Final

Important limitations to note

The national extension does not apply where:

• Matches kick off before 5:00pm or after 10:00pm
• No home nation is participating in the fixture

In these circumstances, premises must rely on their existing licence or apply for a TEN if they wish to trade later.

The extension permits venues in England and Wales already licensed until 11:00pm to remain open for:

• The sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises
• Late night refreshment, where already authorised

Planning challenge: knockout uncertainty

While group stage planning is relatively straightforward, the knockout rounds present a greater operational challenge.

Uncertainty around fixtures, kick-off times and potential national involvement means operators should plan early to ensure all scenarios are covered. This is particularly important given TEN lead times and statutory limits.

Temporary Event Notice (TEN) restrictions

Operators should be mindful of the following key TEN limitations:

• A TEN can last up to 7 consecutive days, with licensable activities permitted at any time within that period
• Attendance must not exceed 499 people (including staff and performers)
• A premises may only use 15 TENs per calendar year
• Separate rooms within one building may be treated as separate premises (up to 30 events total)
• A minimum 24-hour gap is required between TENs at the same premises (for the same or connected applicants)
• The total number of days covered by TENs must not exceed 21 days per calendar year
• Events running overnight count as two separate days against the annual limit
• A TEN must be submitted by an individual
• Personal Licence holders may apply for up to 50 TENs per year (across different premises where applicable)
• Non-licence holders are limited to 5 TENs per year

Key takeaway

The World Cup presents a valuable trading opportunity for licensed premises, but only if licensing requirements are properly managed in advance. Early planning, particularly for knockout fixtures, will be essential to avoid disruption and ensure compliance.