JD Wetherspoon will open only one of its London branches for the 1am World Cup clash between England and Mexico, dealing a blow to fans hoping for cheap pints during the last-16 match in the early hours of Monday.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs could stay open until 5am as Thomas Tuchel's side face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Initially, venues were told they would need a temporary license, but a government U-turn allowed all pubs to open for the game without individual applications. However, many pubs are opting out due to staffing challenges at such unsociable hours.
Wetherspoon's Limited Opening
Of the 819 JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK, about 91 are in Greater London. Only the Penderel's Oak in Holborn will open for the match. Four other branches across the UK—Bishops Mill in Durham, Cooper Rose in Sunderland, William Rufus in Carlisle, and Solomon Cutler in Birmingham—will also be open. Except for Solomon Cutler, the other four had already obtained temporary events licenses before Sir Keir's announcement.
Greene King and Other Pubs
Greene King, another major pub chain, is opening 600 of its 2,600 pubs, restaurants, and hotels for the match, with around 50 in London. The British Beer and Pub Association reported earlier this year that the number of pubs in the UK fell from 46,829 in 2020 to 44,656 in 2025, citing hikes in business rates, alcohol duty, and minimum wage as factors crippling the hospitality industry.
Industry Impact and Staffing Issues
England's previous match against DR Congo on Wednesday evening saw a 78% increase in pub spending in London, according to data from card machine provider Dojo. Crystal-Rose Carty, bar manager at The Kingsmen in Croydon, welcomed the blanket extension. Her family-run pub initially planned a private event for locals but now avoids the "stress of getting a license." She noted, "We enjoy having people in the pub, especially for a football game. Our regulars are no trouble." However, she acknowledged that for some pubs, the match could be "troublesome" due to stock and staffing issues.
Data from Access Hospitality estimates that 85% of UK hospitality establishments will face staffing challenges on Sunday, and 83% have concerns about stock inventory. In a Facebook post, The Kenton in northwest London stated, "A few have asked about the England v Mexico game... but we will not be showing that as it’s too late for us and our neighbours." Steve Baxter of the Grove Tavern in Tunbridge Wells called the extension "completely stupid," predicting "more fights, more noise, more damage." His pub will remain shut for the match.
Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: "We’re delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs and it gives fans the chance to come together, soak up the occasion and hopefully celebrate!"
