Licensing Guidance for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026: What Operators Need to Know

With matches being held across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, many games will be broadcast late at night in the UK. This raises important considerations for pubs, bars, and other venues planning to show the tournament. If you intend to screen World Cup matches, it is essential to act now to ensure full compliance with licensing requirements.

The Government has confirmed its intention to permit licensed premises in England and Wales to continue selling alcohol for on-sales for an extended period for England and Scotland matches during the latter stages of the tournament. However, the detailed scope of this proposed relaxation has not yet been published, and it should be noted that not all premises will automatically be permitted to trade beyond their current authorised hours. While this offers a valuable opportunity to maximise trade, it also introduces a number of operational and compliance considerations—particularly where kick-off times fall outside the scope of the national extension for the knockout rounds.

Extended Licensing Hours: What’s Changing for the World Cup?

For matches involving England and Scotland, permitted licensing hours will be extended as follows:

• From 23:00 to 01:00 for kick-offs between 17:00 and 21:00
• From 23:00 to 02:00 for kick-offs after 21:00 up to 22:00

These extensions apply to:

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

However, matches starting before 17:00 or after 22:00 are excluded, meaning venues will need to apply for TENs to remain open.

If no home nation is playing, the extension does not apply.

England Fixtures: Key Planning Considerations

Group Stage Matches

• England -v- Croatia  |  Wednesday 17 June  |  21:00
• England -v- Ghana  |  Tuesday 23 June  |  21:00
• England -v- Panama  |  Saturday 27 June  |  22:00

These fixtures are relatively straightforward, but the 22:00 kick-off may require operators to consider TENs depending on their current licence.

The real challenge begins after the group stage. With England’s final group game on 27 June, there may be limited certainty around their finishing position until that point—making forward planning essential.

Knockout Stage Scenarios

The Government’s proposed extension of licensing hours will apply to most knockout matches—but not all.

If England Win Group L

• Round of 16: 01:00 kick-off (TEN required)

If England Finish Second

• Round of 32: Midnight kick-off (TEN required)

If England Finish Third

• Round of 32:  02:30 kick-off (TEN required)
• Quarter-final: 02:00 kick-off (TEN required)

This uncertainty means operators should strongly consider submitting TENs in advance to cover all possible outcomes.

Scotland Fixtures: Additional Complexity

Scotland’s group stage fixtures present further challenges:

• Sunday 14 June  |  02:00
• Friday 19 June  |  23:00
• Wednesday 24 June  |  23:00

Venues in England and Wales will likely require TENs for these matches.

If Scotland:

• Win or finish third in their group: all knockout matches fall within extended hours
• Finish second: a 02:00 Round of 32 fixture will require a TEN

Temporary Event Notices (TENs): Key Rules

TENs will play a crucial role in World Cup planning, but they are subject to strict limits:

• Maximum of 15 TENs per premises per year
• Each event can last up to 168 hours (7 days)
• Minimum 24-hour gap between TENs
• Maximum of 21 days covered per year

 Application Deadlines

• Standard TEN: at least 10 working days before the event
• Late TEN: 5–9 working days before the event

Late TENs carry significant risk. If objections are raised by police or environmental health, they are automatically refused—without a hearing.

Best practice: avoid Late TENs wherever possible.

Police Liaison & Risk Management

Early engagement with your local Police Licensing Officer is strongly recommended. This helps:

• Clarify expectations
• Agree submission timelines
• Reduce the risk of objections

Operators should also conduct thorough risk assessments, particularly for late-night and early morning fixtures. Consider:

• Additional door staff
• Enhanced staff training
• Use of polycarbonate glassware
• Safe transport options for customers

High-risk fixtures are likely to attract particular scrutiny, including:

• 02:30 kick-off – Saturday 04 July
• 01:00 kick-off – Monday 06 July
• 02:00 kick-off – Sunday 12 July

Plan Ahead: Why Early Action Matters

The key message is simple: plan early and plan for every scenario.

With uncertainty around group standings and strict TEN limits in place, leaving applications too late could mean missed opportunities—or worse, non-compliance.

At least one TEN will be required regardless of where England finishes in the group.

FREE Download: World Cup 2026 Wall Chart

To support operators, Flint Bishop has created a FREE downloadable World Cup 2026 Wall Chart.

This practical resource includes:

• All possible England and Scotland fixture permutations
• Kick-off times for every scenario
• Key TEN application deadlines

It’s designed as a simple, at-a-glance planning tool to help you stay compliant and fully prepared throughout the tournament.

Click the images below to download the PDFs.

FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 guidance note

FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 wallchart

Please note that this information is for general guidance only and should not substitute professional legal advice. If you have specific concerns, we recommend consulting one of our legal experts.

Need support navigating World Cup licensing requirements?
Visit the Flint Bishop Licensing team page, call 01332 340211 or email enquiries@flintbishop.co.uk to speak with a specialist.