Licensing Challenges for Scotland's Pubs Screening the 2026 World Cup

Now that the draw for the group stages has taken place, Scotland know not just who, but when they'll be playing their first three games. And with a five hour time difference, it means that if we want to watch them in Scotland, we are going to have to be prepared for kick off times at 2am for the first match against Haiti, and 11pm for the next two matches against Morocco and Brasil.

These late starts present a logistical and licensing challenge for pubs and bars across Scotland. Venues will be seeking to screen live coverage that will run well beyond standard licensing terminal hours. This article outlines the complex regulatory landscape and the practical hurdles facing the hospitality sector.

The Core Challenge: Terminal Hours & The "Late Night" Definition

Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, each licensed premises operates under a specific Operating Plan, which sets its permitted hours for the sale of alcohol. While there is variation between boards, a typical pub licence in Scotland might have a terminal hour of midnight or 1am. Scotland's opening group match. will finish close to 4am, well beyond the regular permitted hours.

The Primary Solution: Applying for Occasional Licences or Extended Hours

There is no automatic right to extend hours for sporting events. Publicans have two main statutory routes:

1. Occasional Licence: Applied for via the local Licensing Board, this grants authority to sell alcohol at a place outwith the premises' licensed area (e.g., a marquee) or for an event at the premises that is outwith its normal operations. It is valid for a maximum of 14 days per calendar year for the same premises.

2. Extended Hours Application: A section of the Act allows a licensee to apply for an extension of licensed hours for a "special event or special occasion" or for "any other sufficient cause." This is the more likely route for in-premises screenings.

Justifying an Extension: The "Special Event" Hurdle

The success of an Extended Hours Application hinges on convincing the Licensing Board that the World Cup match screening constitutes a "special event or occasion." Boards interpret this narrowly. Key justification factors will include:

• National Significance: A match involving the Scotland national team will carry more weight than a group stage match between other nations.

• Community Demand & Prevention of Disorder: Applicants must demonstrate public demand and outline robust management plans to prevent public nuisance and protect staff safety. This includes detailed risk assessments, enhanced security, controlled entry, and measures to manage dispersal.

• Overprovision & Locality: Boards must consider if the extension would lead to "overprovision" in the locality. A cluster of venues in one street all applying may face greater scrutiny.

• Objections: Police Scotland and Local Authority Licensing Standards Officers are statutory consultees. Their support, often contingent on stringent conditions, is crucial. Community council or neighbour objections can derail an application.

The Potential for a General Solution: Board or Government Intervention?

• Licensing Board-Wide Extensions: A Licensing Board could issue a general statement of policy or a streamlined application process for World Cup matches. However, this comes with challenges due to the need to assess each venue's individual capacity and local impact. A more probable middle-ground is that Boards will publish clear guidance and pre-agreed conditions to expedite decisions.

• Scottish Government Legislation: The government has intervened before for events of "national significance." The most notable precedent is the London 2012 Olympics, where the UK Government passed a national relaxation of licensing hours for England and Wales. The Scottish Government followed suit by issuing a Ministerial Determination under the 2005 Act, granting a general two-hour extension to licensed hours for venues wishing to screen live coverage of Olympic events.

  • Could this happen for the 2026 World Cup? It is politically possible, especially if Scotland qualifies and progresses. A Ministerial Determination or emergency legislation would provide a uniform, simple solution, supporting the hospitality sector and acknowledging the event's cultural importance. However, it would require balancing economic and social benefits against public health and disorder concerns, and may face political opposition.

The Knockout Stage Conundrum: Short-Notice Applications

A major complication arises if Scotland progresses to the knockout stages. Match schedules, particularly for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, may be confirmed with only a few days' notice. The standard 28-day minimum notice period for an Extended Hours Application is therefore impractical.

• Expedited Procedures: Licensing Boards have discretionary powers to shorten the consultation period for "good cause." A Scotland knockout match would likely meet this test. Publicans would need to be prepared to submit pre-drafted, conditional applications at extreme short notice, relying on pre-consultation with Police Scotland.

• Contingency Planning: Proactive trade bodies (e.g., the Scottish Licensed Trade Association) could engage with Licensing Boards and Police Scotland now to agree a contingency framework for short-notice applications, including template management plans and standard conditions.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Screening the 2026 World Cup presents a classic clash between commercial opportunity, community demand, and licensing control. The path of least resistance is for individual venues to begin early engagement with their Licensing Board and Police Scotland, preparing watertight Extended Hours Applications for known group stage fixtures.

The sector could also collectively lobby the Scottish Government for a nationwide, conditional relaxation of hours for Scotland matches, citing the Olympic precedent. This would provide certainty, reduce administrative burdens on boards and police, and capture the economic and social benefits of a national moment.

Without such intervention, publicans face a costly, bureaucratic, and uncertain process. The ultimate outcome may be a postcode lottery of availability, pushing viewers towards unregulated house parties or illegal streams, undermining the licensing objectives the system seeks to uphold. Proactive dialogue and creative regulatory thinking are needed to ensure Scotland's fans can enjoy the beautiful game safely and sociably in their local pubs.

The best answer though, is to be prepared. And get in touch if you need any assistance now in preparing an extended hours application for the group stage games.