World Cup bank holiday
World Cup bank holiday 2026 falls on Monday 15 June.
The dates of World Cup bank holiday, this year and in the years ahead.
When is World Cup bank holiday?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, 15 June 2026 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: GOV.UK: UK bank holidays. More about our sources
Why Scotland has a World Cup bank holiday
Scotland's men's football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, its first appearance at the tournament in more than a quarter of a century. To mark the occasion, an extra bank holiday was added in Scotland on Monday 15 June, during the group stage of the tournament.
The day is a one-off: it applies in this World Cup year only and does not return in later years.
Only in Scotland
The World Cup bank holiday applies in Scotland only. England, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have an extra day off, so for anyone living or working across the border, 15 June is an ordinary working day. Scotland also keeps all of its usual bank holidays, including the summer bank holiday in early August and St Andrew's Day.
Do you get the day off?
As with every bank holiday, there is no automatic legal right to the day off. Banks close and many public offices follow the bank holiday, but for most employees it depends on their contract and on whether their employer chooses to observe it. Shops, pubs and restaurants usually stay open. If you are unsure, check with your employer or look at your contract.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Cup bank holiday 2026?
In 2026, World Cup bank holiday falls on Monday 15 June.
Is World Cup bank holiday a day off?
World Cup bank holiday is only a public holiday in: Scotland.
Is the World Cup bank holiday in England too?
No. The extra bank holiday on 15 June applies in Scotland only. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is a normal working day.
Will there be a World Cup bank holiday again?
Not automatically. This was a one-off bank holiday for this World Cup. Any future extra bank holiday would have to be announced separately.
Am I entitled to a day off on a bank holiday?
There is no statutory right to time off on a bank holiday. Whether you have the day off, and whether you are paid extra if you work, depends on your contract. Employers may include bank holidays in your statutory annual leave.