PUBS will be able to pour pints until 1am if England reach the quarters, semis or final of next summer’s World Cup.
With games likely to kick off in the cooler evenings in the US, Canada and Mexico, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is proposing to extend opening hours here.
An incredible 55 million pints could be sunk on British soil during the 2026 North American tournament.
The draw takes place tomorrow in Washington DC.
Kick-off times will be confirmed on Saturday and may be at 5pm, 8pm, 11pm and 2am UK time so players can cope with the heat in the US, Canada and Mexico.
A six-week government consultation kicks off today about opening pubs until 1am — for matches kicking off at 9pm or earlier.
Read more on the World Cup
The extension will apply to licensed premises in England and Wales — whose team must win via the play-offs.
The prospect of a summer of sport to lift the spirits could be just the tonic the economy needs.
Danni Hewson of analysts AJ Bell
Confirmed finalists Scotland and play-off contenders Northern Ireland have separate rules but could follow suit.
If a match starts after 9pm, pubs can apply individually to have their licence loosened until 1am but there will not be a blanket extension.
The month-long tournament starts next June and Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said there was no better place than the pub to watch matches of huge national significance.
Star Pubs boss Lawson Mountstevens added: “Big set-piece events like the World Cup are massive for bringing people together.
“Typically we see trade increase by over 20 per cent during these tournaments.”
Kate Nicholls, of UKHospitality, said the move would boost a sector struggling with higher energy bills, rises to National Insurance Contributions and minimum wage hikes.
Mike Dove, who runs the Three Horseshoes in Witney, Oxon, added: “We’ll put a heck of a party on if England make the final stages and serve as late as we’re allowed to.
“But we also need help now.”
‘Feel-good factor’
The last men’s tournament in Qatar in 2022 boosted UK growth that November by 0.1 per cent.
The Three Lions finished fourth in Russia in 2018 and Danni Hewson, at analysts AJ Bell, said: “That storming run resulted in millions more pints being pulled, pizzas scoffed, and bets placed.
“The general feel-good factor is also thought to have boosted consumer spend generally.
“With UK economic growth flatlining in the last few months, the prospect of a summer of sport to lift the spirits could be just the tonic the economy needs.”
Some fans called for the opening times to be extended for the entire tournament, not just the latter stages.
Plasterer Steve Robinson, 46, from Feltham, West London said: “Why should we have to wait till the quarter and semis — we may not be in the tournament by then.”
The party won’t end before the final whistle is blown.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
Ms Mahmood has the power to extend operating times on occasions of exceptional international, national or local significance.
It happened on previous occasions including the Women’s Euros final this year and in 2022, and last year’s Men’s Euros final.
Ms Mahmood said last night: “Our nations’ pubs are going into extra time.
“This World Cup could be the first in over 60 years with every home nation there.
“If any nation reaches the final stages, we will extend licensing hours.
“The party won’t end before the final whistle is blown.
“And in a personal capacity, I would like to add . . . It’s coming home.”
