13 Cambridgeshire Venues Open Late for England vs Mexico 2026

Key Points

• The government has granted pubs special permission to open until 5am for England’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico on Monday, July 6.
• Sir Keir Starmer announced the extension on Thursday, allowing pubs across England and Wales to remain open late for the 1am London time kick-off.
• A number of pubs in Cambridgeshire have already said they will keep their doors open for the fixture.
• The list includes venues in Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Ely and Cherry Hinton.
• The pubs named range from Greene King sites and historic inns to community venues and sports-friendly bars.
• The late opening permission is expected to give fans a legal and organised place to watch the match in a public setting.

Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) July 04, 2026 – The government has granted pubs special permission to open until 5am for England’s World Cup match against Mexico on Monday, July 6, following a Thursday announcement by Sir Keir Starmer. The extension applies across England and Wales and covers the round-of-16 fixture, which is due to kick off at 1am London time.

Why has the late opening permission been given?

The decision allows pubs to stay open well beyond normal hours so supporters can watch the national team’s match in licensed premises rather than only at home. The move is tied directly to the late kick-off, which would otherwise make it difficult for many fans to follow the entire game in a public venue.

Which Cambridgeshire pubs have said they will stay open?

So far, 13 pubs in Cambridgeshire have announced that they will remain open late for the match. The list includes Baron of Beef and Bath House in Cambridge, George Hotel in Huntingdon, Golden Hind in Cambridge, Grain & Hop Store in Cambridge, Granta in Cambridge, Halcyon in Peterborough, Hartford Mill in Huntingdon, Lamb Hotel in Ely, Pickerel Inn in Cambridge, Prince Regent in Cambridge, Robin Hood in uk/local/cherry-hinton/">Cherry Hinton and Rock in Cambridge.

Which Cambridge pubs are on the list?

Several of the venues are in Cambridge itself. These include Baron of Beef on Bridge Street, Bath House on Bene’t Street, Golden Hind on Milton Road, Grain & Hop Store, Granta on Newnham Road, Pickerel Inn on Magdalene Street, Prince Regent and Rock on Cherry Hinton Road.

Which pubs outside Cambridge are included?

The wider county list includes the George Hotel in Huntingdon, Hartford Mill at Hartford Marina on Huntingdon Road, the Lamb Hotel in Ely, the Halcyon in Peterborough and the Robin Hood in Cherry Hinton. These venues broaden the late-night offering beyond the city centre and give supporters more places to watch the fixture.

What kind of venues are these pubs?

The pubs on the list vary from historic inns to modern venues and local community bars. The George Hotel is a historic inn with long-standing local links, while the Grain & Hop Store is described as a contemporary pub in a former factory. The Halcyon presents itself as a community pub, and the Rock is known for showing TV sport.

What should fans expect on the night?

Fans heading out to watch the match can expect a late-night atmosphere, likely with screens, food and drinks service, and larger crowds than usual. As with any extended opening hours event, venues may have to manage capacity, staffing and transport concerns, especially because the fixture begins in the early hours of the morning.

Why does this matter for local pubs?

Late opening for a major international match can bring extra trade to pubs at a time when business would normally be closed. It also gives venues a chance to draw in regulars and travelling supporters who want a shared matchday experience. For many pubs, especially those already known for showing sport, the fixture is likely to be one of the most notable trading opportunities of the week.

Background of this development

Extended opening hours for major football matches are not unusual when national interest is high and kick-off times fall outside normal pub trading hours. In cases like this, the aim is to let fans watch the game legally in supervised venues while avoiding unnecessary disruption to normal licensing rules. The Cambridgeshire list reflects the local response to that national decision, with pubs across the county preparing for a very late night of football.

Prediction

For pub-goers in Cambridgeshire, the extension is likely to mean more choice, a stronger matchday atmosphere and a safer public setting for watching the game. For local businesses, it may deliver a useful boost in sales and footfall, especially for pubs that already attract sports crowds. The main pressure will fall on staffing, transport and crowd management, since a 1am kick-off and 5am closing time will require careful planning from both venues and customers.