Edinburgh says no to World Cup bank holiday
Last updated 20th Mar 2026
Edinburgh councillors have voted against having a city holiday on the June 15 bank holiday that has been created in recognition of Scotland making the world cup.
This means schools will be open and council services will run as normal on the day. Councils have the power to decide how they handle service provision on bank holidays.
At Thursday’s full council meeting, council leader and Labour councillor Jane Meagher said: “A public holiday as outlined would throw up many complications for parents and carers. It costs money, £350k from reserves.”
She did say she would be more interested in the idea of a public holiday if Scotland won the world cup, with other councillors backing similar sentiments.
SNP councillor Euan Hyslop said: “It should be a moment of national pride.
“For a country of our size returning to that world stage matters, it inspires young people, and it’s a recognition of the effort and hours of dedication in grassroots football that people put in on Saturdays and Sundays in the mornings. It brings communities together.”
He said it was disappointing that the Labour administration was not supporting a public holiday.
Several councillors contributed their views on the issue, and some also shared some of their world cup memories while they were at it.
Green councillor Ross McKenzie said: “My first world cup memory is from Italia 90, Scotland versus Sweden.
“I was 8 and it’s a scene that is etched in my memory, I can call upon it whenever I want.”
He recalled memories of limbs flying and drinks spilling in his aunt’s living room as he watched the match.
Cllr McKenzie referenced other European nations which have a greater number of public holidays that Scotland does.
He added that the Green group supported the idea of the public holiday on the virtue that people should be working less.
Conservative group leader Iain Whyte said he remembered staying up as a six year old to watch Scotland’s performance in the 1974 world cup.
But he said that public holidays are not what they used to be, and that over time employees at businesses have gained more power to take leave when they want.
He added that having a bank holiday for reaching the group stage of the World Cup represented a ‘poverty of ambition’.
But he said he would stay up late to watch Scotland play – with the kick-off in the Scotland versus Haiti game in Boston set to start at 2am UK time.
Liberal Democrat councillor Louise Young said the world cup was a great opportunity for the city, and noted that many pubs will be able to stay open well into the morning to allow screening of matches.
She also opposed a public holiday being granted by the city for the bank holiday – but said that she, too, would be staying up late to watch Scotland play.
Councillors voted to not make June 15 a holiday.