Only five JD Wetherspoon pubs across the UK will remain open for England’s highly anticipated World Cup match against Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning, despite the Government allowing licensed venues to trade until 5am.
The late-night fixture, kicking off at 1am on Monday 6 July, prompted the Government to introduce emergency legislation extending pub opening hours across England and Wales. However, the vast majority of Wetherspoon’s network of more than 800 pubs will not be taking advantage of the temporary licensing change.
The five Wetherspoon pubs confirmed to be opening for the match are:
- Penderel’s Oak – Holborn, London
- Bishops Mill – Durham
- Cooper Rose – Sunderland
- William Rufus – Carlisle
- Solomon Cutler – Birmingham
Most of these venues had already secured a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) before the tournament began, allowing them to operate later than usual.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson confirmed that all other pubs within the chain will remain closed during the overnight fixture.
Government Extends Pub Opening Hours
The decision to allow pubs to stay open until 5am followed an announcement by the Government after concerns were raised that normal licensing laws would prevent venues from showing the match.
The emergency extension was introduced to give football supporters the opportunity to watch England’s knockout World Cup tie together in licensed venues.
Police Raise Safety Concerns
The move has received criticism from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which warned that major football fixtures involving England have historically been linked with increases in alcohol-related violence and domestic abuse.
Police leaders said the late announcement created operational challenges, requiring officers to work extended shifts at short notice.
They also urged supporters to celebrate responsibly and respect pub staff, emergency services and fellow fans throughout the night.
Hospitality Businesses Face Staffing Challenges
The extended trading hours have also presented difficulties for many hospitality businesses.
Research from hospitality technology company Access Hospitality suggested that around 85% of venues expected staffing issues as a result of the overnight opening arrangements, with many operators having already finalised rotas before the licensing extension was announced.
Marston’s Expands Late-Night Openings
While Wetherspoon has limited its overnight openings, other pub operators are embracing the opportunity.
Marston’s confirmed that more than 400 of its pubs were already planning to open late for England’s World Cup fixture, with the Government’s decision expected to increase that number further.
The company said major international tournaments create a unique atmosphere in pubs that is difficult to recreate at home and expects strong demand from supporters looking to watch the match together.
As England continue their World Cup campaign, many fans will still be able to enjoy the match in pubs across the country—but those hoping to watch at their local Wetherspoon may want to check ahead before making the journey.
