FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026: What the Tournament Means for Licensed Premises in Scotland
With Scotland returning to the mens FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years, excitement is already building across the country. As a result, local Licensing Boards have been busy reviewing licensing rules to help premises prepare for a month of football. Below we have outlined a summary of the confirmed extensions so far and what operators need to know ahead of the tournament.
Please note that premises must have televised sports included as an activity on their operating plan to benefit from a general extension unless your local Licensing Board has advised otherwise.
Extended Hours Across Scotland: Who’s Announced What?
Aberdeenshire
The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board has agreed a General Extension for Home Nations matches only, allowing premises to remain open until 30 minutes after full-time. A further extension will apply from the quarter-final stage onwards regardless of the teams involved.
Premises Licence Holders must also submit a notification form confirming their intention to use the extension at least 21 days in advance and comply with all advisories set out, where possible to do so including, but not limited to, having a personal licence holder present on the premises from 1am until closing.
Aberdeen City
The Aberdeen City Licensing Board has confirmed that, for the duration of the tournament, premises may open until 03:00 for the purpose of televising the match. For Scotland matches only, premises may remain open 30 minutes after the final whistle if the match ends up being later than 03:00.
No Extended hours required unless wish to open later than 03:00 for matches not involving Scotland.
Angus
Angus Licensing Board has granted a 3:00am general extension for all matches with an additional 30 minutes allowed for Scotland matches beyond the final whistle.
Clackmannanshire
The Clackmannanshire Licensing Board has granted extensions to premises wishing to show Scotland’s matches against Morocco and Brazil. Premises looking to show the Scotland v Haiti match must apply separately for extended hours. The deadline for extended hours applications is 30 April 2026.
If Scotland progress further and matches are scheduled to begin after terminal hour shown on operating plan, an extended hours application will need to be submitted.
If a premises wishes to remain open to televise other matches after the terminal hour, extended hours will need to be applied for. Typically applied for 42 days before the event but the board will accept applications lodged with a shorter notice period, with good reason.
Dumfries and Galloway
The Dumfries and Galloway Licensing Board has agreed a general extension of licensed hours for Scotland matches 30 minutes after the end of any Scotland fixture. The Board is contacting licence holders directly to confirm if they intend to use it. Any premises wishing to show non-Scotland matches must submit an Extended Hours application by 14 April.
Dundee
The Dundee Licensing Board has granted a general extension – premises may remain open for 30 minutes after full-time for Scotland matches. For all other World Cup matches, premises are permitted to remain open until 1am or 30 minutes after any 11pm kick-off match ends, whichever is later.
East Ayrshire
The Board agreed that any licence holder wishing to televise World Cup matches must submit an Extended Hours application. One application may cover all three Scotland group matches, free of charge. If Scotland progress further in the tournament, Extended Hours applications can also be lodged free of charge.
Conditions;
- Personal Licence holder to be present during the extended hours*
- Entry to the event should be ticketed
- Last entry should be aligned with match kick off times
- Premises to close 30 minutes after the final whistle
*Note – this change was announced on the 21st April 2026 and removes the requirement for a premises manager to be present
Occasional and extended hours licences · East Ayrshire Council
East Dunbartonshire
The East Dunbartonshire Licensing Board has agreed to a general extension covering all matches, permitting premises to remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Requirement to notify the Licensing Board in advance.
FIFA World Cup 2026 General Extension of Licensed Hours – East Dunbartonshire Council
East Lothian
East Lothian Licensing Board has granted a general extension for Home Nations only. Premises may remain open until 30 minutes after the end of any home nation fixture and should notify the Board of their intention to make use of the extension.
Encouraged to notify the Licensing Board in advance if wish to make use of the General Extension.
FIFA World Cup 2026 licensing | Alcohol Licences | East Lothian Council
East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire Licensing Board has agreed to a general extension for all matches and can remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle of each match.
Conditions;
- Does not apply to outdoor areas
- Does not extend to off-sales
- Consider additional door supervisors for high-profile matches
- Matches beginning after 1am should implement a 1am entry curfew. Ticketing of event is recommended
- Personal licence holder shall be present on the premises from 8pm until close
- Qualified First Aider to be present for the duration of the matches
Edinburgh
The City of Edinburgh Licensing Board has approved a general extension for all on-sales licensed premises. The extension applies to all World Cup fixtures, with venues able to remain open 30 minutes after the end of any match. The Council will contact licence holders to confirm whether they intend to make use of the extended hours.
Conditions;
- Outdoor areas can only operate during the times specified on the licence
- Children and Young Persons access to remain as states on the licence
Falkirk
Falkirk Licensing Board has granted an extension for Scotland’s matches against Morocco and Brazil, allowing premises to remain open until 30 minutes after full-time.
Premises wishing to show the Scotland v Haiti match must submit an Extended Hours application. Applications should be made as soon as possible as well as for any other match.
Conditions;
- Access to the premises will be by ticket only
- No children and young persons will be allowed access to the premises
- A personal licence holder will be present for the duration of the event
- Outdoor areas are not to be used for the screening of the match or for the consumption of alcohol
Fife
Fife Licensing Board has agreed a General Extension for Scotland and England matches only, allowing premises to remain open until 30 minutes after full-time. A further extension will apply from the quarter-final stage onwards regardless of the teams involved.
Glasgow
The City of Glasgow Licensing Board has granted a general extension for all World Cup matches. Venues will be permitted to remain open with the extension lasting until 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Premises must continue to comply with conditions, including the use of toughened glass and having written staff-safety policies in place for end-of-shift travel.
Festive Policy and General Extensions – Glasgow City Council
Highland
The Highland Licensing Board has approved a general extension of licensed hours for Scotland matches only, allowing premises to remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle. No application is required for Scotland matches but premises must submit a notification form to the Board if they intend to use the extension.
FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 – Licensing Board decision – Highland Council
Inverclyde
The Inverclyde Licensing Board has granted an extension for Scotland matches only. An extended hours application is required for all non-Scotland matches. A notification form must be submitted to the Board by 16 April if premises intend to make use of the extension.
Conditions;
- Children and Young People not allowed entry during the extended opening hours
- Off-sales not permitted during the extended opening hours
Pubs and clubs can stay open for Scotland’s World Cup matches – Inverclyde Council
Moray
Licensed premises in Moray may remain open for up to 30 minutes after the end of World Cup matches and should notify the Licensing Board of their intention to operate beyond normal hours providing 1 months’ notice.
Conditions;
- Outside areas to close by 22:00
- Children and young persons provisions are not changed or enhanced by the extended hours
North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire Licensing Board has agreed that Premises Licence Holders wishing to show any World Cup match must submit an Extended Hours application. The application deadline was 31 March 2026.
Conditions;
- Closing time will be 30 minutes after the final whistle
- No person should be admitted or re-admitted into the premises one hour before the kick off
Perth & Kinross
Perth and Kinross Licensing Board has granted a general extension of licensed hours for all Scotland and Home Nations matches. Premises may remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle of any Home Nation fixture. Operators must notify the Board if they intend to use the extended hours.
Conditions;
- Does not apply to outdoor areas including marquees or tents
Alcohol licences – Occasional, Premises and Extended Hours – Perth & Kinross Council
Renfrewshire
The Renfrewshire Licensing Board has confirmed a general extension and premises may remain open up to 30 minutes after the final whistle of all World Cup matches. Premises must notify the Board at least 48 hours before any extended hours opening of the dates they wish to trade.
Extended hours to sell alcohol during the World Cup 2026 – Renfrewshire Website
Scottish Borders
In the Scottish Borders, the Licensing Board announced premises may stay open 30 minutes after the end of matches involving any of the Home Nations. An extended hours application is required for all non-Home Nation matches.
Conditions;
- Children and young persons provisions are not changed or enhanced by the extended hours
- Outdoor areas not included in the extension
Agenda item – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Licensing Hours – Scottish Borders Council
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire Licensing Board required Extended Hours applications to be submitted by 31 March 2026 for premises wishing to televise World Cup matches.
South Lanarkshire
The South Lanarkshire Licensing Board has agreed that operators in the Clydesdale and Hamilton area may show all World Cup matches in the tournament. Premises may remain open until 30 minutes after matches end.
Operators in East Kilbride, Rutherglen and Cambuslang area may show Scotland matches only and may remain open until 30 minutes after the end of the matches. An extended hours application will be required for all non-Scotland matches.
World Cup 2026 extended hours licensing arrangements – South Lanarkshire Council
Stirling
The Stirling Licensing Board has agreed that a general licensing extension is granted for all games that begin before 12am or 1am, depending on the licence conditions. If the game begins out with core hours, a specific extended hours application must be made.
Conditions;
- Outdoor areas to close at 10 pm
- Children and young persons provisions are not changed or enhanced by the extended hours
- Viewing must be ticketed
- Personal licence holder must be present at all times
West Dunbarton
The West Dunbarton Licensing Board has granted a general extension for all matches involving Scotland. Premises may remain open for 30 minutes after the final whistle for Scotland matches only. Premises should notify the board in advance if they wish to take advantage of the extension.
The decision regarding an extension for all other matches is pending, and we expect an update on the 12th May.
Conditions;
- A curfew of 1 am for entry and booking system should be implemented for games starting at 1 am or later
- The extension does not extend to Children and Young Persons
- The extension does not extend to other entertainment such as DJs, karaoke or live music
- The extension does not extend to outdoor areas
Advisories;
- Risk assessment should be completed to determine if SIA stewards are required
- Neighbours should be notified in advance of the extended hours
- Consider staff welfare and safety for longer hours, including travel to/from the premises
West Lothian
The West Lothian Licensing Board decided that licensed premises must submit an Extended Hours application if they intend to televise Scotland matches, which should have been submitted by 31 March 2026.
Please note that this is not a full and comprehensive list and may be subject to change. For further information, please visit your local council’s website and/or take legal advice. Our Licensing Team would be happy to help on 0141 333 0636 or info@mshblicensing.com.
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