Pubs granted extended opening hours during football World Cup
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
Pubs in the Scottish Borders are being granted extended opening hours so they can screen football matches during this summer's World Cup.
Councillors today (Friday) decided to allow all licensed premises to remain open until half an hour after the final whistle in all matches involving the home nations.
However, any showing Scotland's opening match against Haiti - which kicks off at 2am on June the 14th - must still notify the licensing board so they can alert the police to the potential risk of increased disturbance.
It's hoped the move will help give struggling businesses a boost.
Pubs who don't normally show matches on TV also won't have to alter their operating plan, sparing them a £210 variation fee.
And decisions over screening matches in village halls, for example, will be delegated to licensing officers to speed up the process.
However, anyone planning to set up a fan zone or screen anywhere outside like a beer garden, will still have to apply for permission.
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Over the border in Northumberland, the UK Government had already announced pubs will be allowed to stay open until as late as 2am for home nation fixtures during the tournament.
Two councillors - Fay Sinclair and John Paton-Day (both SNP) - had felt the relaxation of the rules should only be for Scotland games.
But, given how close the Borders is to England, the licensing board agreed it will be for all matches involving the homes nations.
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Fellow nationalist Marshall Douglas, who chaired the meeting, supported that move.
But he said: "I dont know if there would be that much demand for other home nation games, to be honest, in the Borders.
"I think certainly there will be demand for Scotland games, but as to whether or not (there is) demand to see other home nation games... unless they (Scotland fans) are supporting a good team like France or Germany who may be up against them."
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