The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) (Amendment) Order 2026

Made: at 8.40 a.m. on 3rd July 2026

Laid before Parliament: at 11.30 a.m. on 3rd July 2026

Coming into force: 4th July 2026

The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 172(1) and (3)(b) and (c) and 197(2)(b) of the Licensing Act 2003[^f00001].

The Secretary of State considers that the celebration period in relation to which this Order is made marks an occasion of exceptional national significance.

The Secretary of State has consulted such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in accordance with section 172(4) of the Licensing Act 2003.

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) This Order may be cited as the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) (Amendment) Order 2026 and comes into force on 4th July 2026.

• (2) This Order extends to England and Wales.

Amendment to the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026

2

• (1) The Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026[^f00002] is amended as follows.

• (2) In article 2—

• (a) for paragraph (g), substitute—

(g) the period of seven hours beginning at 10 p.m. on 5th July 2026, where a match in the tournament knockout stage known as the round of 16 is scheduled to take place at 1 a.m. on 6th July 2026;

• (b) in paragraph (p)—

• (i) for “two” substitute “three”;

• (ii) for “11 p.m.” substitute “10 p.m.”.

Signed

Sarah Jones — Minister of State — Home Office — at 8.40 a.m. on 3rd July 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

Explanatory Note

This Order amends the Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing Hours) Order 2026 (“the 2026 Order”) to make further provision in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It extends licensing hours for licensed premises and qualifying clubs for a period of seven hours beginning at 10 p.m. on 5th July 2026, for the round of 16 match scheduled to take place at 1 a.m. on 6th July 2026. The Order also changes the specified time applicable to the final match of the tournament scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. on 19th July 2026 should England be involved in that match, so that the licensing hours extension begins at 10 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. The remainder of the 2026 Order is unchanged.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An economic note is being prepared and will be available alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk by 10th July 2026. It will also available from the Alcohol Policy Team of the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2003 c. 17. Section 197(3), (4) and (5) of that Act were amended by section 1 of the Licensing Hours Extensions Act 2026 (c. 4).

[^f00002]: S.I. 2026/520.