The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) (Amendment) Order 2026

Published: Fri 3rd Jul 26

This Order amends existing licensing regulations in England and Wales to extend the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol and provision of regulated entertainment during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It modifies the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026 to add a seven-hour extension starting at 10 p.m. on 5th July 2026 for a round of 16 match held at 1 a.m. the following day.

Additionally, it adjusts the commencement time for the extension related to the tournament final on 19th July 2026 to 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m., contingent on the England national team's participation.

These changes apply to licensed premises and qualifying clubs regulated under the Licensing Act 2003.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the FIFA World Cup celebration period marks an occasion of exceptional national significance.
The document states that the extension facilitates the public celebration of specific matches, including a round of 16 match and the tournament final.
Proponents may cite the need for regulatory consistency by aligning licensing hours with the specific kickoff times of international matches held in different time zones.
The order invokes section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, which provides the legal basis for extending hours during periods of national celebration.

Arguments Against

Local government bodies and residents' groups may express concerns regarding potential increases in noise pollution and anti-social behavior during the early morning hours.
Public health and law enforcement agencies might question the impact of extended alcohol service on emergency services and policing resources during the 1 a.m. and 10 p.m. extensions.
Legal analysts could point to the absence of a full impact assessment, as noted in the explanatory memorandum, which leaves the specific economic and social consequences unquantified.
The order only applies if specific conditions are met (e.g., England's participation in the final), creating potential planning uncertainty for venue operators and local authorities.

Citation, commencement and extent

-(1) This Order may be cited as the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) (Amendment) Order 2026 and comes into force on 4th July 2026.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales.

This section establishes the official title of the legal instrument and sets the date it becomes legally active as 4th July 2026.

It limits the geographic jurisdiction of the order to England and Wales only.

Amendment to the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026

-(1) The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026( 2 ) is amended as follows.

(2) In article 2-

(a) for paragraph (g), substitute-
'(g) the period of seven hours beginning at 10 p.m. on 5th July 2026, where a match in the tournament knockout stage known as the round of 16 is scheduled to take place at 1 a.m. on 6th July 2026;';
(b) in paragraph (p)-
(i) for 'two' substitute 'three';
(ii) for '11 p.m.' substitute '10 p.m.'.

This section modifies specific times and durations set in a previous 2026 order regarding alcohol licensing.

It authorizes a seven-hour extension starting at 10 p.m. on 5th July 2026 for a specific 1 a.m. match, and increases a separate extension period from two to three hours while shifting its start time from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the final match.

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