Almost six million pints sold during England-Mexico match

Sales figures from the England-Mexico World Cup game revealed that almost six million pints were sold at pubs up and down the country on Sunday night and the early hours of Monday morning.  

Data from the British Beer & Pub Association, using figures from Oxford Partnership, stated that an extra 1.25 million pints were sold compared to a typical Sunday. 

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said: “Selling 1.25 million extra pints on Sunday night beats our initial expectations of pint sales figures. If reflects the fact that the government used an Act of Parliament that the BBPA worked with MPs to put in place to provide a blanket easement for pubs to allow football fans to cheer on England in their local.

“Pubs will now be restocking their beer ahead of the next England-Norway match because as every football fan knows, there is no better place than to cheer on the Three Lions than down your local.”

It was confirmed on Thursday (2 July) afternoon that pubs were allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday to allow fans to watch the game.

The announcement came after the government initially ruled out a blanket extension in pub opening hours earlier.

Read more: How operators are scoring extra trade from the World Cup

In April, the government confirmed an extension in licensing hours for pubs in England and Wales over the course of the 2026 World Cup.

Under these rules, pubs are permitted to serve until 1am for fixtures kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, while later matches starting from 9pm up to 10pm will allow trading until 2am, subject to any of the home nations reaching the final.

Alcohol licensing hours were extended for Sunday night’s match as it was regarded as an occasion of “exceptional international, national or local significance”. 

Photo: Guilain Demoutiers/Shutterstock