Pubs and bars in the Lancaster and Morecambe Bay area will be able to open later during the upcoming men's football World Cup.
The government has made an order under the Licensing Act 2003 which extends licensing hours for licenced premises in England and Wales during specific FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 matches.
"The extension applies only where England or Scotland are playing in a qualifying knock-out match, and only to premises that already hold a premises licence or club premises certificate permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises until at least 11pm on the day of the match," said a Lancaster City Council spokesperson.
"Existing licence conditions still apply."
When a home nation is playing, the government will extend licensing hours from 11pm to 1am for kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm; and from 11pm to 2am for kick-offs after 9pm up to 10pm.
Matches starting before 5pm or after 10pm will not benefit from a national extension.
"Individual licensed on-trade venues can apply for temporary event notices so their venue can stay open longer," said a government spokesperson.
"If no home nation is playing in any matches that qualify for the extension, the order will not apply.
"This instrument will allow licensed premises in England and Wales already licensed to 11pm, and subject to their existing licence conditions, to remain open for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises and provision of late-night refreshment."
The FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday, June 11, and with matches taking place in the USA, Canada and Mexico, some kick off times will be in the late evening or early hours of the morning UK time.
England will first play against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17, kick off 9pm UK time.
Their further group matches are against Ghana on Tuesday June 23 (9pm) and Panama on Saturday June 27 (10pm).
Scotland begin their campaign against Haiti on Sunday June 14, kick off 2am, followed by matches with Morocco (Friday June 19, 11pm) and Brazil (Wednesday June 24, 11pm).
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