Men’s football World Cup 2026 – Licensing, Planning & Environmental Health guidance
With the Men's Football World Cup taking place over the next couple of months, we've compiled some useful guidance on licensing, planning and environmental health requirements for premises and event managers.
Licensing
A live TV broadcast does not require permission under licensing legislation. However, if you're putting on an event that involves other licensable activities, such as the sale of alcohol or supply of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am, a Temporary Event Notice will be required.
The Government has announced a relaxation of licensing hours for matches involving the home nations for premises in England and Wales that are currently authorised for alcohol consumption on the premises, as below:
For the Knockout stages, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Bronze medal match and Final:
- England or Scotland matches that kick off between 17:00 and 21:00, pubs can stay open until 01:00 BST.
- England or Scotland matches that kick off between 21:00 and 22:00, pubs can stay open until 02:00 BST.
Please check your Premises Licence to ensure that the permitted hours cover the times you intend to be open and that the activities you wish to provide are compliant with the plan attached to the Premises Licence.
Any match with a kick-off after 10pm not covered by a Premises Licence will require a Temporary Event Notice.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has issued guidance which is available on their website.
If you have any Licensing queries, please email licensing@winchester.gov.uk.
Planning
In light of the Government’s decision to temporarily relax licensing requirements for the World Cup period, our Planning Enforcement Team will take a proportionate and pragmatic approach to any potential breaches of planning conditions relating to opening hours for pubs and similar venues.
This position will be kept under review throughout the period, and does not remove the need for operators to remain mindful of their wider planning responsibilities. Our Planning Enforcement Team retains the authority to take planning enforcement action where it is considered expedient to do so, particularly where there is evidence of significant harm or adverse impact.
If you have any queries concerning your planning permission and attached conditions relating to hours of operation, please contact the Planning Team in advance of the World Cup to discuss by emailing pplanning@winchester.gov.uk.
Environmental Protection
Many people will enjoy watching the World Cup in licensed premises across the Winchester District. However, if you're hosting an event, please do spare a thought for your neighbours. Here’s how you can minimise noise disturbance to them during this time:
- Keep TVs and sound systems no louder than necessary
- Keep windows and doors closed (except for access and egress)
- Monitor the volume of the live commentary/ match audio from the boundary of the premises to check it is at a reasonable level
- Don’t play live commentary or match audio outdoors
- Manage the levels of noise from patrons in beer gardens and external areas by doing regular checks & close the area later in the evening
- Encourage people to leave the premises quietly towards the end of the evening
- Respond positively to any complaints from neighbours and try to resolve issues wherever possible.
If you're a resident disturbed by noise, often the quickest and best way to resolve an issue, if you feel you're able, is to approach the premises in a calm way and ask to speak to the person in charge about how you are impacted.