Can pubs stay open late for World Cup matches?

A football World Cup like no other begins on Thursday, with games across the United States, Mexico and Canada kicking off all through the night for UK viewers.

England's group games against Croatia, Ghana and Panama start at either 21:00 or 22:00 BST, but other countries' matches will begin at times including midnight, 03:00 or 02:00 - including Scotland's opening match against Haiti on Sunday.

For many fans, watching together in pubs and bars is a key part of the tournament.

But with kick‑off times stretching late into the night, questions remain about opening hours, licensing rules and public safety.

The opening game of the tournament sees Mexico taking on South Africa at 20:00 BST, but the tournament's second game kicks off seven hours later at 03:00 when South Korea play Czechia.

The games then come thick and fast, with as many as five happening in one day, some starting as early 05:00 or as late as midnight.

The most anti-social England game in the group stage starts at 22:00, but if the Three Lions reach the Round of 16, the way the draw works means that match - on Monday 6 July - will kick off at 01:00.

Scottish fans should prepare for later bedtimes, with group matches against Brazil and Morocco both scheduled for 23:00 starts, after the 02:00 game against Haiti.

Details of all games are available on BBC Sport.

Venues across the West of England are preparing for the challenge.

Bristol's Prospect Building is planning to show every England game possible.

General manager Hope Nolan said: "We'll be screening [the games], there'll be music...there'll be football commentators and stuff too in the space."

Nolan hopes the atmosphere will be "like a festival vibe", but the venue does not plan to show the Round of 16 fixture (if England make it that far), because of the 01:00 start.

"It's just not actually viable," she explained.

In Stroud, the Fountain Inn plans to show as many games as it can.

"We could possibly show three at a time on different screens," the landlord, Mike McDougal said.

"We have six screens available."

Some landlords believe the extended hours could benefit the hospitality sector.

Jerry Kunkler, landlord of the Moonrakers in Pewsey, Wiltshire, said late openings could work in their favour: "People do get behind England when they start to play well so I think it [opening late] will be a great idea."

He also says that they will "wait and see" if they can show the 01:00 game if England get there but says that the pub is "gearing up for the World Cup in a big way".

In Glastonbury, The Riflemans Arms is also opening late, which manager Kassandra Hobday hopes will be "good for business," but says there are some concerns.

"Having a later license always comes with some concerns of people having consumed too much alcohol, but people are always welcome as long as they're behaving," she said.

She also said that while the football is great for punters, many of the younger staff are also excited about working over the tournament.

The UK Government announced earlier this summer that it was relaxing licencing rules, while at the same time urging local authorities to not "be the fun police".

On 6 June, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said councils should deal with licence applications quickly.

Pubs can stay open until 01:00 BST for England or Scotland games that kick off between 17:00 and 21:00 in the group stages, and until 02:00 for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Red tape should not get in the way of fans enjoying the game with friends, and local pubs doing a great trade too."

Pubs have a responsibility to monitor customer's alcohol intake and have the right to refuse to serve them if they are too intoxicated.

Avon and Somerset Police said while it did not want to "stop people having fun", its priority was public safety, and extra patrols would be introduced during the tournament.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Shields said: "There will also be an increased focus on drink-driving and reminding people of the importance of being safe on the roads.

"If you have been drinking overnight, you may still be over the limit in the morning, so plan ahead.

"There is no excuse for disorder and criminality, and we have plans in place alongside our partners to deal with these issues robustly."

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