Glasgow City Council to consider extending pub opening times during Commonwealth Games

Pubs in Glasgow could be allowed to open later during the Commonwealth Games this summer.

Thousands of athletes are set to compete across a ten-sport programme from July 23 to August 2, after Glasgow stepped in to host the event following the Australian state of Victoria’s withdrawal.

The city’s licensing board will consider granting an extension during the games when they meet on Friday.

It has already been agreed that some venues can open later during the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. Scotland’s men’s football team is making its first appearance in that tournament since 1998.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games decision, a report to board members states: “The championships are expected to attract many competitors and tourists to the city of Glasgow to take part in or watch the various events during the period.

“The Commonwealth Games 2026 presents an opportunity for a vibrant ‘city’ feel to promote a successful championships and a successful host city.”

The Licensing (Scotland) Act allows boards to consider extending licensing hours “in connection with a special event of local or national significance”. Members would have to consider the conditions of any changes, such as whether they would apply to all premises in the city.

If an extension is approved, the board would “give notice to the chief constable and the holders of premises licences and occasional licences in respect of premises to which the determination applies”.

Board members previously agreed on a general trading extension for on-sale licensed premises during World Cup matches.

It will allow clubs, pubs and other on-sales venues, which already televise sport, to remain open and trading for up to an extra 30 minutes after the end of play for the duration of the tournament.

With the United States of America, Canada and Mexico hosting the tournament, many kick-off times will be late in the evening or in the early hours of the morning in the UK.

Scotland’s fixtures begin against Haiti on Sunday, June 14, with the game scheduled to kick off at 2am. They will then play Morocco at 11pm on Friday, June 19 and Brazil at 11pm on Wednesday, June 24.