Pub giant JD Wetherspoon will only be opening one of its London branches for the 1am World Cup clash between England and Mexico.
The news will come as a blow to punters who hoped to enjoy cheap pints while watching the last-16 match in the early hours of Monday.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs would be allowed to stay open until 5am as Thomas Tuchel’s side face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
Originally, venues had been told that they would have to apply for a temporary license, but in a government U-turn, all pubs will now be able to stay open for the 1am game.
However a large number of pubs will be sitting this one out, with the challenge of finding staff to work such unsociable hours at short notice no doubt proving too difficult for many.
Of the 819 JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK, around 91 are located within Greater London. Just one branch, the Penderel’s Oak in Holborn, will be opening as the Three Lions face El Tricolor.
Four other branches across the UK in Durham (Bishops Mill), Sunderland (Cooper Rose), Carlisle (William Rufus), and Birmingham (Solomon Cutler) will also be open for the match.
With the exception of the Solomon Cutler, the other four pubs had obtained temporary events licenses ahead of Sir Keir’s announcement.
Greene King, another UK pub giant, is opening 600 of its 2,600 pubs, restaurants, and hotels for the match. Around 50 of the pubs opening are located in London.
England’s last match against DR Congo on Wednesday evening saw a big uplift for the hospitality industry and should make Sir Keir’s announcement a welcome one for the sector.
The capital saw a high increase in pub spend during the match, averaging at 78%, according to data from card machine provider Dojo.
Crystal-Rose Carty, the bar manager at family-run pub The Kingsmen in Croydon, said the establishment welcomed the blanket extension.
The Kingsmen, owned by Ms Carty’s granddad, initially planned on running a private event for its locals so they could experience “the atmosphere” of an England knockout-match, but now won’t have to go through the “stress of getting a license.”
“We enjoy having people in the pub, especially for a football game,” she explained.
“Our regulars are no trouble and our doors our closed so the neighbours won’t be able to hear anything. We’ve never had any noise complaints.”
Ms Carty added that she did understand for some pubs, the match would be “troublesome” for other pubs who might struggle with stock and staffing.
It is estimated that 85% of UK hospitality establishments will face staffing challenges on Sunday, according to data from Access Hospitality.
Stock inventory was another concern for 83% of UK hospitality businesses ahead of the match.
In a Facebook post, The Kenton in northwest London, owned by local legend Egil Johansen, said: “A few have asked about the England v Mexico game now the government said all pubs can stay open late, but we will not be showing that as it’s too late for us and our neighbours.”
Another publican, Steve Baxter of the Grove Tavern in Tunbridge Wells, called the extension “completely stupid” in a social media post.
Mr Baxter said that allowing punters to drink alcohol for longer than normal would result in “more fights, more noise, more damage, and make the whole period hell for pub owners, staff, and neighbours alike.”
He added that his pub would stay shut for the match.
Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament.
“There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs and it gives fans the chance to come together, soak up the occasion and hopefully celebrate!
“We know this will be a popular match, so urge guests to secure their spot as soon as possible.”
The British Beer and Pub Association said earlier this year that the number of pubs in the UK had fallen from 46,829 in 2020 to 44,656 in 2025.
Hikes in business rates, alcohol duty, and minimum wage have all played a part in crippling the hospitality industry.
