General Extension of Licensed Hours - FIFA World Cup 2026

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

General Extension of Licensed Hours

On-sale Premises with Televised Sport Included in Operating Plan

FIFA World Cup 2026

At its Meeting held on 5 March 2026, Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board agreed that a general extension of licensed hours should be granted under section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 in respect of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between 11 June 2026 and 19 July 2026 inclusive.

The report is published as a Related Download at:

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/your-council/our-meetings/council-meetings-diary/orkney-islands-area-licensing-board-050326/.

The Board agreed that on-sale licensed premises within the Board’s area should be permitted to operate for one additional hour after their existing terminal operating hour (for example where the terminal operating hour is until 12 midnight the general extension additional hour means that the terminal hour is 01:00).

For matches in which Scotland are participating the general extension shall apply until 30 minutes following the close of play/end of match (inclusive of any extra time or penalties).

The general extension of permitted hours applies only to on-sale premises which have televised sport included in their operating plans.

There is no obligation on any on-sale premises licence holder to operate the additional terminal hours.

Any queries regarding this matter should be directed to the Clerk to the Licensing Board, email licensing@orkney.gov.uk.

Gavin Mitchell

Clerk to the Licensing Board

31 March 2026