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Wetherspoon and Greene King say most pubs won't be open to 5am for World Cup

Pub bosses have explained why opening hours will stay the same despite the rule change

[Harry Kane celebrates with Jude Bellingham after scoring during the World Cup match between England and DR Congo]

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Harry Kane celebrates with Jude Bellingham after scoring during the World Cup match between England and DR Congo

Many pubs are expected to remain closed for Englands World Cup match against Mexico despite the Government permitting them to stay open until 5am. Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open late for the round of 16 match, which kicks off at 1am on Monday.

MPs had called for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the football World Cup. The blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to apply for extended hours.

However, some pub owners have said issues with arranging staffing and being located in residential areas will mean they will remain closed. A spokesperson for Wetherspoons said only five of the 800 Wetherspoon pubs will be open for the match.

[Most bars will call time at the usual hour]

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Most bars will call time at the usual hour

Greene King, which has 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK, said over 600 pubs across England would be staying open late to show the match. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said earlier this year that the number of pubs in 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, said they would not be opening for the England match. Speaking to LBC, Mr Higgs said: Were in a built-up community around here, and I think its just a little bit disrespectful for our locals to have that sort of noise at 5am.

The publican added: No ones going to want to work until five in the morning. Were not a nightclub, were a local pub in a small town, and I am not allowed to annoy my neighbours because Ill be into holy hell with that.

A lot of our staff have second jobs. We employ a couple of full-timers, but mainly part-time, and I would never expect that of them.

[Pubs can open to 5am - but say they won't]

View 3 Images

Pubs can open to 5am - but say they won't

Discussing the Governments decision to loosen restrictions, Mr Higgs said: For some, I think its a huge benefit, especially in your bigger built-up cities, where there are places that open later, but for here and where we are, its just not something that we will do.

Theres other things they can be doing to help the pub trade out staying open until five oclock in the morning on a Monday for some is a benefit, but for others its just completely pointless, really.

Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: Were delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament. Theres 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.

England will face Mexico in the last 16 after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.

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