How to watch World Cup 2026 matches in UK pubs: Online bookings, best arrival times

The 2026 World Cup is just a couple of months away from getting underway in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Forty-eight teams will compete in football's biggest tournament for the very first time, with each participating nation hoping to create lifelong memories.

England and Scotland will be among those competing in the tournament after coming through their respective qualifying groups. The Three Lions will be desperate to end their 60-year wait for World Cup glory, while the Tartan Army will want to make a mark in their first appearance at the tournament since 1998.

Of course, there will be England and Scotland fans over in North America to back their team in this summer's tournament. But the vast majority of supporters will be watching from the UK, with many likely to head to bars and pubs to follow all the action.

Here, Football Ground Guide provides the key information and tips about how to follow all the action in UK pubs.

Will pubs stay open later during the 2026 World Cup?

With the World Cup taking place across three countries, there will be a variety of kick-off times in play this summer. The most common kick-off time is 8pm (BST), but some matches will start as late (or early) as 5am.

The full list of kick-off times is stated below (BST), along with how many matches will take place at that time

Kick-off times (Number of matches):

• 5pm (3)
• 6pm (5)
• 8pm (12)
• 9pm (6)
• 10pm (3)
• 11pm (8)
• 12am (5)
• 12:30am (2)
• 1am (4)
• 2am (9)
• 3am (8)
• 4am (3)
• 5am (4)

The positive news is that pubs can remain open until 2am for important World Cup games. That is because the Home Office have extended licensing hours across England and Wales for matches involving England and Scotland.

Pubs will be allowed to stay open an extra two hours until 1am for knockout games kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for games starting between 9pm and 10pm.

According to BBC News, local authorities are weighing up their own license extensions for the World Cup.

Why you should book a table in advance to watch the World Cup

Some venues, like JD Wetherspoons, do not allow for online bookings and effectively run a first-come, first-served policy. However, there will be plenty of popular pubs and bars that will allow football fans to reserve tables. Fans are advised to book in advance if possible, especially as The Mirror are reporting that prime seats for some venues are already being snapped up, especially those with outdoor spaces or fan zones.

While there should still be plenty of space available, fans should look to reserve a table to avoid disappointment on the day of the game, especially for games involving England and Scotland. It is also worth noting that those attending pubs and bars in large groups will stand a better chance of guaranteeing a booking if they get in early.

How can I book a table to watch the World Cup?

Most venues planning to show World Cup matches will run online bookings on their website and/or app. It is always best to check a venue's website or social media channels to find all the details about how to book in advance.

Alternatively, you can use a website/app like Fanzo, which will provide a list of pubs showing a specific World Cup game in your local area and whether each venue offers the chance to book a table.

When to arrive to watch the World Cup in UK pubs?

The answer to his question ultimately depends on whether you book ahead. Obviously, securing a reserved spot will guarantee a specific time and will last the length of your booking. However, if you are at risk of running late, you will have to check whether your chosen venue offers a grace period before noting your reservation as a no-show.

If you do not book in advance, it will be difficult to land a table at a pub that offers online bookings. However, for those who operate on a first-come, first-served basis, fans are advised to arrive around one to two hours before kick-off to give themselves the best chance of grabbing a table. Obviously, the earlier you can get to a venue, the better the chance of securing a spot, especially for England and Scotland matches, and knockout games at this summer's tournament.