Pubs and bars in Lancaster and Morecambe able to open later during men’s football world cup
Pubs and bars in Lancaster and Morecambe will be able to open later during the men’s football world cup thanks to an extension to licensing hours.
The Government has made an Order under the Licensing Act 2003 which extends licensing hours for licenced premises in England and Wales during specific FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 matches.
The extension applies only where England or Scotland are playing in a qualifying knock-out match, and only to premises that already hold a premises licence or club premises certificate permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises until at least 11pm on the day of the match.
Existing licence conditions still apply.
On the government consultation website at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/relaxation-of-licensing-hours-for-the-mens-football-world-cup-2026 it details the relaxation of licensing hours for the Men’s Football World Cup in 2026.
It says: “When a home nation is playing, we will extend licensing hours:
*from 11pm to 1am for kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm
*from 11pm to 2am for kick-offs after 9pm up to 10pm
for the:
*round of 32
*round of 16
*quarter-finals
*semi-finals
*bronze medal match
*final
"Matches starting before 5pm or after 10pm will not benefit from a national extension.
“Individual licensed on-trade venues can apply for temporary event notices so their venue can stay open longer.
“If no home nation is playing in any matches that qualify for the extension, the order will not apply.
“This instrument will allow licensed premises in England and Wales already licensed to 11pm, and subject to their existing licence conditions, to remain open for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises and provision of late-night refreshment.