England v Mexico: Last Orders Just Got a Lot Later.

England’s last-16 World Cup clash with Mexico kicks off at 1am BST — and for once, the government has done something that every pub landlord in the country will raise a glass to.

Licensed premises across England and Wales have been granted automatic permission to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, meaning no individual applications, no early closures and no sending fans home before the final whistle. For a match of this magnitude, it’s exactly the right call.

What It Means for Pubs and Bars

A 1am kickoff is a different kind of night. The country will already be at fever pitch by the time the first whistle blows, and with pubs open until 5am the rounds keep coming long after the final whistle — however it ends. For every venue, from the city bar to the village local, a fixture like this can be one of the most memorable — and lucrative — nights of the year, whichever way it goes.

Come On England

Flags out, bunting up, hearts in mouths — and a nation of parents quietly asking themselves whether one late night on a school night really matters when it’s England in the last 16. This is who we are — gathering together in pubs and bars the length of the country – one common goal. Coming home?

We’d like to wish all of our customers a busy, successful night’s trading — and our team, three lions on the shirt, all the luck in the world.