2026 FIFA World Cup: will pubs see extra time?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching this summer, there is renewed debate around whether the Irish government should extend pub licensing hours. The World Cup 2026 is due to take place in cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Most matches will take place in the early hours of the morning if you are watching in Europe. Although Ireland has not yet qualified, Irish TD Barry Heneghan has stated that fans should be able to watch a game "down their local if they wish".

Deputy Heneghan notes that the UK has already examined the possibility of extending licensing hours and the Scottish government has awarded a bank holiday for Scotland’s first match. He urges the Irish government to consider how best to manage the significant demand from fans who will want to watch the matches in local pubs.

UK late night extension

As England has qualified, the UK Government had a six-week public consultation on extending pub licensing hours in England to allow fans to watch the World Cup in pubs. The Home Secretary has legislative power to extend these hours on occasions of "exceptional international, national or local significance" such as the World Cup under section 172 of the UK Licensing Act 2003, the proposed UK extension would be for two hours - from 11pm to 1am the following morning on the relevant dates of key matches - and will apply only if any UK home nation reaches the relevant stage.

Current opening hours in Ireland

Pub opening hours in Ireland are governed by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. The standard hours are as follows:

• Monday to Thursday from 10:30 to 23:30
• Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 00:30
• Sunday from 12:30 to 23:00

Many late-night pubs apply for Special Exemption Orders which allow the licence holder to serve alcoholic drinks outside the ordinary opening hours. The latest time that alcohol can be served for drinking on the premises with Special Exemption Orders is 02:30.

Is it possible to extend opening hours in Ireland for the World Cup?

Should Ireland qualify, the opening fixture would be against South Korea at 03:00 on Friday, June 12. The second group game would be at 17:00 on Monday June 18. The third group game would be at 02:00 on Wednesday morning, June 24.

Section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927 - which allows for Special Exemption Orders to be sought - permits any Irish District Court to exempt the holder of a publican's licence from the provisions of the act in relation to prohibited opening hours for a "special occasion". The Gardaí in the vicinity of the premises must consent to the application. 

Section 11 (5) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 states that a Special Exemption Order shall expire at 1am on a Monday morning and 2.30am on any other morning.  

However, Section (7)(a) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 permits a local authority to adopt a resolution concerning the expiry times of a Special Exemption Order. The local authority can resolve to extend the 01:00 / 02:30 deadline in respect of the whole or a specified part of its administrative area. The decision to extend the expiry times of the Special Exemption Order rests ultimately with the District Court which must have regard to the local authority resolutions.

The members of the local authority require one month's notice of the resolution. This resolution should be published in two newspapers in the local authority area and should invite the public to submit their views on the resolution.

The local authority is further required to consult with the officer in charge of the Garda Síochána for the licensing area concerned.

Key takeaways

If Ireland qualify and beat Czechia on 26 March, Ireland will play either Denmark or North Macedonia on 31 March. The opening game for Ireland, should Ireland qualify, kicks off at 03:00 on Friday 12 June.

Technically, a local authority can use the mechanism under section 7(a) of the intoxicating liquor Act 2003 to resolve to extend the duration of a Special Exemption Order beyond 02.30 if notice periods are adhered, to and An Garda Síochána has no objection. However, ultimately, the decision to extend the expiry time if the Special Exemption Orders, rests with the District Court. 

If any local authority intends to rely on this mechanism, preparations will need to begin promptly. Based on current World Cup 2026 scheduling, the opening match would require pubs to remain open until at least 04:45 to allow supporters to watch the full game in the pub, with the third group match finishing at approximately 03:45 (not accounting for extra time or penalties). Given these exceptionally late kick-off times, our practical advice should Ireland qualify is to prepare to watch the matches at home after the pub closes.

How Ogier can help

Ogier's Sports team are experts in all sports related legal matters, as well as matters relating to hospitality and liquor licencing regulations. For more information please contact a member of our team via their contact details below.

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Disclaimer

This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.

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