England's big all-nighter! Pubs will be open until 5am on Monday as the nation prepares for a working week with next to no sleep

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE Published: 01:00, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 01:21, 3 July 2026 Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday after a late U-turn by the Prime Minister. Football fans in England and Wales will get hours of extra drinking as England take on Mexico in a last-16 match kicking off at 1am UK time. Ministers initially refused to relax the licensing laws yesterday, but in a rare popular U-turn, Keir Starmer said pubs could stay open until after the final whistle. The Home Office will initiate an emergency law change this morning. Sir Keir said: 'Football might be coming home but we're making sure fans don't have to.  'Pubs staying open until the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.' The Home Office had already relaxed licensing laws ahead of the World Cup due to the erratic kick-off times, but had failed to make any provision for 1am fixtures such as England's make-or-break showdown against Mexico in the co-host's capital. Instead, individual pubs were forced to apply to local councils for a Temporary Event Notice, but many were told they had already missed the deadline following Wednesday's win against DR Congo. The Daily Mail understands the Home Office initially resisted calls from inside government to amend licensing hours on Sunday night over concerns about the impact on already struggling police forces. England fans are in for a big night after it was announced pubs can stay open until 5am on Sunday night This means supporters will be able to watch every minute of the match on a big screen with a drink in their hands Sir Keir Starmer pushed through the move to force a popular U-turn - a rarity under his leadership But the football-loving PM pushed the change through in an attempt to secure a legacy before leaving No 10.  One government source confessed: 'We probably clocked this a little bit late in the day to be honest – getting anything done in half a day in government is basically impossible.'  Amid accusations the Home Office was behaving like the 'fun police', the department finally relented and allowed Downing Street to get the ball over the line. But fears remain about whether the police will be able to put plans in place in such a short amount of time, with one source admitting there hadn't been a 'huge amount of engagement' with forces ahead of the last-minute licensing change. Political pressure for the change was piled on from parties across the spectrum, including Labour backbenchers.  York Outer MP Luke Charter said: 'Labour can show we're the party that backs the places that bring people together. Let's get this one right ahead of a huge moment!' Reform UK's Robert Jenrick branded yesterday's confusion 'ridiculous', demanding: 'Just issue a decree that any pub in the land can stay open late on Monday. 'It's been done before. Stop being pettifogging killjoys and get behind England.' Tory MP Louie French said the announcement was 'the least' Downing Street could do for pubs 'after two years of hammering [them] with Labour's tax rises'. Fans out in North America will have to make the journey to Mexico to see England take on the hallowed Azteca Stadium They will be hoping that Harry Kane can repeat his heroics and shepherd England into the quarter finals While England fans may face the prospect of heading to work on Monday with just a couple of hours' sleep, Downing Street told parents to ignore manager Thomas Tuchel's rebellious advice to children. At a press conference after the nail-biting 2-1 win against DR Congo, Tuchel said parents should 'write an excuse for school and let them watch football'. 'They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch... and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children.' But Sir Keir's spokesman slapped down the suggestion, saying: 'Kids should be at school on Monday.' Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added: 'Children should be in school the next day.' For adult fans, the Government is recommending a 'disco nap on Sunday' to ensure they can be 'back at work next day'. Downing Street added that Sir Keir was 'facing the same dilemma as everyone else on whether to stay up'. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: 'This tournament is hugely important for our sector, so we're delighted the Government listened to our concerns and acted so quickly.' Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: 'This pragmatic approach allows venues to focus on what matters most – bringing communities together to support the national team.' It comes as English businesses brace for a 'mass sickie event' on Monday morning as bleary-eyed workers sleep in. The AA said: 'If supporters are staying up until nearly 3am to watch the game, or even 4am... they need to think carefully about how they'll get through Monday morning safely.' No comments have so far been submitted. 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