Item 10 - Proposed Extension of Hours for 2026 World Cup
West Dunbartonshire Council · 3 March 2026
Back to Licensing Board — 3 March 2026 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE LICENSING BOARD Report by the Clerk to the Licensing Board Licensing Board - 3 March 2026 Subject: Proposed Extension to On-Sales Premises Licensed Hours for the duration of the 2026 World Cup 1. Purpose 1.1 To allow the Licensing Board to consider a policy on extending licensed hours for On-Sales Premises for matches involving the Scotland National Team taking place as part of the 2026 World Cup. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Licensing Board considers whether to exercise the power conferred to it by Section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, to make a determination extending licensed hours in On – Sales Premises for fixtures involving the Scottish National Team during the World Cup, on the basis that such games constitute an event of local or national significance 2.2 To allow for any eventuality, it is recommended that the sale of alcohol for any matches involving the Scotland National Team should automatically be extended to 30 minutes after the end of any fixture in which Scotland are involved. 2.3 Any Premises which wishes to stay open later to cater for any match other than matches involving the Scottish National Side will be required to apply for extended hours in line with Section 27 of the Board’s Statement of Licensing Policy. This section of the policy has been included as an appendix. 2.4 Finally, it is recommended that the Members agree the conditions and control measures specified in paragraphs 4.5 and 4.6 below. 3. Background 3.1 The 2026 World Cup will take place between the 12 June 2026 and 19 July 2026. This competition will take place in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico and as such, several of the matches will be televised at times either outside of normal licensed hours or end outwith normal licensed hours. 3.2 In relation to the recommendation at 2.1 and 2.2 There are three matches involving the Scottish National side which either take place after normal licensed hours or will end after the conclusion of normal licensed hours.
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3.3 These matches are as follows: - • Haiti v Scotland – Sunday June 14 – Kick Off at 2am • Scotland v Morocco Friday June 19 – Kick Off at 11pm • Scotland v Brazil Wednesday June 24 – Kick Off at 11pm 3.4 Should the Scotland Team reach the later stages of the competition, it is expected that the recommendation at 2.2 be automatically continued to allow for extended hours until 30 minutes after the conclusion of any game involving the Scotland Team, where applicable. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 allows a Licensing Board to make a determination extending licensed hours by such a period as the Board may specify in the determination. 4.2 Such a determination may apply to, (a) the whole of the Licensing Board's area or only to specified parts of the area, (b) licensed hours generally or only to specified descriptions of licensed hours, and (c) all licensed premises in the Board's area or only to specified descriptions of such premises. 4.3 Several Matches kick-off later than 2am. Unless these matches involve the Scotland National side, there is no proposed extension suggested as part of this report. 4.4 Guidance from the Scottish Government is expected prior to the Board being held on 3 March 2026 and the contents will be shared as soon as it becomes available. 4.5 In order to alleviate any impact on the wider community relating to a decision to extend licensed hours, the following conditions should be considered: - • All Premises wishing to take advantage of extended hours must notify the Licensing Team in writing in advance of the specific matches they wish to remain open for. • For any games which have a start time of later than 1am, a curfew for entry of 1am should be in force. • For any games which have a kick-off time later than 1am, a booking system should be employed. Such a system can be either via an advance ticket or an advance electronic booking. • That access to the premises for Children and Young Persons ceases at the end of ‘normal licensed hours’. • There shall be no entertainment such as, but not limited to DJ sets, Live Music or Karaoke to be evident in premises outwith ‘normal’ licensed hours. • The term ‘normal licensed hours’ refers to the terminal hour for the sale
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of alcohol under the terms of the licence prior to any extension of hours as a result of this policy. 4.6 The following advisory control measures are also recommended: - • Premises are advised to carry out a risk assessment to determine if SIA Licensed Stewards will be necessary to uphold the Licensing Objectives at times when any extension of hours is in effect. • Premises are reminded that outdoor areas and outdoor drinking may only take place in line with the terms of the existing licence and should not be operated after 10pm. • That Premises give notification to neighbours in advance of the event(s) all the hours they intend to operate. • That consideration be given to temporarily amend the commencement hour of on-sales licensed premises on days where the premises intends to operate extended hours. • That consideration be given to staff welfare and safety in relation to longer opening hours and later closing times. 5. Financial and Procurement Implications 5.1 There are no financial or procurement implications relating to this report. 6. Risk Analysis 6.1 There is no risk to the Board associated with the contents of this report. 7. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 7.1 There are no equality impacts through consideration of this report. 8. Consultation 8.1 Police Scotland, Environmental Health and Planning have been consulted with no adverse comments having been received. 9. Strategic Assessment 9.1 There are no strategic implications associated with this report. Alan Douglas Clerk to the Licensing Board 4 February 2026
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Person to Contact: Peter Clyde, Licensing Standards Officer Regulatory and Regeneration Services West Dunbartonshire Licensing Board 16 Church Street Dumbarton G82 1QL Email: peter.clyde@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 – Section 27 Excerpt from West Dunbartonshire Licensing Board’s Statement of Licensing Policy. Background Papers: N/A Wards Affected: All Wards