The government allows pubs to open until 5am on Monday morning. (Image: Getty)
Thousands of pubs are expected to remain closed when England play Mexico in the World Cup, despite the government giving them permission to open. The match in Mexico City kicks off early on Monday at 1am (British time), so the government has allowed pubs to stay open until 5am. However, two of the country’s biggest pub chains have admitted that most of their stores will not accept the offer.
A Wetherspoon spokeswoman said only five of its 800 pubs would be open for the match. Greene King, which operates 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK, has confirmed that more than 600 of its pubs across England will remain open until late to show the match.
Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs in England and Wales would be allowed to extend their opening hours ahead of the Round of 16 fixture.
MPs had been lobbying for more flexibility beyond the 2am extended opening time already in place for England’s World Cup matches.
A blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to submit applications for additional time.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) revealed earlier this year that the number of pubs across the UK had fallen from 46,829 in 2020 to 44,656 in 2025.
Tommy Higgs, co-owner of the Three Horseshoes pub in Witney, Oxfordshire, confirmed the venue will remain closed for the England game.
Mr Higgs told LBC: “We live in an urban area around here and I think it’s a bit disrespectful to local residents to make that kind of noise at 5am.”
“Nobody wants to work until 5am. We’re not a nightclub. We’re a local pub in a small town. We’re not allowed to disturb the neighbors, because if you do that, you’re going to really go to hell.”
Wetherspoon will only open five pubs ahead of Monday’s match (Image: Getty)
“Many of our staff have second jobs. We employ a few people full-time, but mostly part-time. I don’t expect that from them.”
Mr Higgs said of the government’s decision to ease licensing rules: “I think this is a huge benefit for some people, especially in larger urban areas where there are places that open later.”
“But here and where we are, that’s not what we do. There are other things they can do to help pubs trade.
“Being open until 5 a.m. on Mondays is a benefit for some people, but completely pointless for others.”
Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: “We are delighted to have been given permission to open late as England progress through the tournament.
“There is nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs, giving fans the opportunity to come together to enjoy and hopefully celebrate the occasion.
“We know this will be a popular match, so we encourage our guests to secure their spot as soon as possible.”
