Extra Time for Licence Holders? FIFA World Cup 2026 and Scottish Alcohol Licensing in Review

On the eve of Scotland’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Partner Gillian Buchanan and Solicitor Ian Sargison consider what this may mean for pubs, clubs and other premises wishing to capitalise on the trade generated by a “once in a generation” sporting event.  

While FIFA World Cups are held every four years,  Scotland’s first participation in the tournament since France 1998 is anything but routine. Off the field, the event also poses out-of-the-ordinary licensing questions for venues wishing to provide alcoholic refreshments during matches.  

Generally, these are questions to be answered by Alcohol Licensing Boards specific to each Local Authority. Licensing Boards are tasked with setting policies concerning alcohol licensing for premises within their area, while working within the parameters of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. This includes setting the standard times that alcohol may be sold for consumption on premises (known as “Core Hours”).  

Core Hours provide a statement of the standard approved times during which alcohol can be sold at licenced premises, rather than a default framework. Individual premises must instead, when applying for a Premises Licence, specify their desired hours (which may be outside of Core Hours in special circumstances); and it is then for the Board to determine whether these are appropriate.  

There is significant divergence across the 32 Local Authorities in Scotland as to Core Hours, however all of them are out-of-step with the timings of Scotland’s guaranteed group-stage fixtures, which are:-

Taking Scotland’s opening fixture against Haiti as an example, accounting for stoppage time, VAR checks, half time and an inevitable late Kieran Tierney winner, it is anticipated that the match may not end until after 04:00 BST, hours after even the latest of Sunday Core Hours.

On 23 February 2026, Edinburgh’s Licensing Board became the latest authority to intervene and grant an extension of trading hours.

In light of widespread calls from the hospitality industry and fans alike for other Boards to follow suit,  the question arises – how best can this be achieved by Licensing Boards?

Powers under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

The first consideration for Licensing Boards is what they can authorise under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.  

There is provision in the legislation for individual holders of Premises Licences to approach the Board with an application to extend their hours of trade outside of Core Hours. While this would be appropriate for events that are specific to premises, in the context of a national event such as the World Cup, this approach leaves much to be desired and would overwhelm Licensing Boards.

It is for that reason that the provisions of section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are likely to be more attractive. These allow Local Authorities to apply a blanket extension to the periods during which alcohol may be sold, providing they consider the event to be a special one of “local or national significance”. Scotland’s once in a generation participation in the World Cup certainly meets that threshold.

The wide discretion afforded to Licensing Boards provides scope for several factors to be considered when making a decision, including:-

• Whether extended hours are to apply only for matches featuring Scotland;  
• Whether proposals align with policing plans; resourcing; public transport; security and door staff availability;
• The impact of proposals on policies relating to children and young persons’ access; and
• The uncertainty as to the length of games.

While not expressly required to do so, we suspect that many Licensing Boards will look towards bodies such as Police Scotland, the Fire and Rescue Service as well as Licensing Standards Officers for guidance on these matters. This is the process typically followed by Licensing Boards every year when deciding upon general festive extensions.

Decisions taken by Licensing Boards to date

Given the range of factors requiring consideration, it is perhaps unsurprising that the three Licensing Boards that have already made a decision have done so in different ways:-

1. The Aberdeen approach: Aberdeen’s Licensing Board has permitted an extension providing premises with the option of staying open until 3:00AM for the duration of the tournament, and for Scotland’s matches only, for a further 30 minutes after the final whistle if that ends up being later than 3:00AM.  
2. The Glasgow approach: Glasgow’s Licensing Board has instead adopted a simpler policy, granting an extension lasting 30 minutes after the final whistle for all matches during the tournament.  
3. The Edinburgh Approach: Edinburgh’s Licensing Board has followed a very similar approach to that of Glasgow, with venues now required to notify the Council if they plan to stay open late.  

A unified approach?  

The Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland and the Scottish Government held a meeting on 14 January 2026, at which it was indicated that national guidance on general extensions for the World Cup will be issued shortly. When issued, Licensing Boards will be required to take that guidance into account. This remains eagerly awaited.

The three authorities that have granted extension could therefore be viewed as early movers by making a decision without first having sight of the guidance. 

How will Premises Licence holders hear of any changes?

When Licensing Boards elect to make a general extension, they must give notice of this to all Premises Licence holders affected by that decision. The decision must also be published.  

What Premises Licences holders can do now

There are steps that all holders of Premises Licences can and should be doing now to ensure that they are as prepared as possible.  

Holders should use this as an opportunity to revisit their Operating Plan that sets out the activities that they may carry out to ensure that, if an extension is granted, they are able to show televised sport.  If televised sport is not permitted, then an application for a major variation, or in the shorter term, an occasional licence may be required.

It is possible that Licensing Boards may permit premises without televised sport on their Operating Plan to show the Scotland (or home nations) fixtures. This again emphasises why businesses need to be certain on exactly what they can and cannot do.

There is also widespread interest in having designated fan zones set up for Scotland’s fixtures. Such fan zones would not normally form part of a Premises Licence and would instead require an application to be made for an Occasional Licence. If your business is considering setting up fan zones, then we are able to assist with this.

How we can help

Alcohol licensing is complex, and noncompliance can carry significant consequences. Our team regularly advises on Premises Licences, Variations and Occasional Licences across Scotland.

We offer:-

• Legal advice tailored to your situation;
• Clear guidance on the steps involved and what to expect;
• Professional representation at hearings held by Licensing Boards, if required;
• Support with documentation; and
• Ongoing communication with all parties involved.

If you would like to have a chat, please contact Partner Gillian Buchanan on 01382 346 213 or Ian Sargison on 0131 561 5098 to arrange a confidential meeting.