Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that there could be an extra bank holiday if England wins the Fifa World Cup. The UK prime minister said: “On the question of a bank holiday, I think I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.” There have been calls for an extra bank holiday if England wins every year the World Cup has been on. However, despite several instances where the nation came close to winning, it has always missed out at the final hurdle. But with England entering the quarter finals this year, things are looking promising. If the extra bank holiday does go ahead, it could land at the end of July. Here’s what you need to know.
What are the remaining bank holiday dates in England and Wales for 2026?
Monday, August 31 Summer bank holiday
Friday, December 25 Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
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When will the extra World Cup bank holiday be?
If England wins the World Cup, and if Sir Keir Starmer agrees to an extra bank holiday date, it will most likely fall at the end of July.
England will be playing Norway in the quarter finals on July 11, while the final will take place a week later on July 19. While not confirmed, the most likely date for an extra bank holiday would be Friday, July 24.
It’s worth noting that Starmer is due to hand over power to the new prime minister on July 20. If England wins the World Cup, it may be the new prime minister announcing any extra bank holiday days.
It’s also not clear whether the extra bank holiday day will only be applicable in England or across the whole of the UK as the four nations have slightly different allowances. Scotland, for example, has already enjoyed an extra bank holiday day for qualifying for the World Cup.
What are the bank holiday dates in England and Wales for 2027?
Friday, January 1 New Year’s Day
Friday, March 26 Good Friday
Monday, March 29 Easter Monday
Monday, May 3 Early May bank holiday
Monday, May 31 Spring bank holiday
Monday, August 30 Summer bank holiday
Monday, December 27 Christmas Day (substitute day)
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
How to make the most of the bank holidays
Making the most of bank holidays is all about taking off strategic days around them so you can tag on the weekends. This will let you take a longer chunk of time off without having to use as much of your holiday allowance.
For example, for the upcoming August bank holiday, it’s possible to stretch your leave by taking off the four days after the bank holiday Monday. With the weekends on either side, this gives you scope for a nine-day, sun-filled trip to the likes of a Greek island or Lisbon; or you could go further and consider a twin-centred African adventure — South Africa and Namibia’s spring-like flora (and exciting fauna) are irresistible at this time of year.
And then there’s Christmas and new year. For 2026, you just need to take off the four days before Christmas and the three days of Twixmas to get 16 days off as Monday, December 28 is a substitute holiday for Boxing Day.
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When is the next bank holiday in the UK?
For England and Wales, the next bank holiday is currently August 31. Scotland’s summer bank holiday is on August 3. In Northern Ireland, July 13 will mark the Battle of the Boyne and will be the next bank holiday.
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?
There are four nations in the UK and the number of bank holidays for each one is different. England and Wales each have eight bank holidays, Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has ten.
In some years, there have also been additional bank holidays due to special events, such as the King’s coronation in 2023. In 2026, Scotland had an additional bank holiday to mark its participation in Fifa World Cup.
One of Lisbon’s distinctive tramsGEtty Images
What about bank holiday dates in Scotland?
Scotland usually has nine bank holidays each year, with an additional day celebrating St Andrew’s Day. However, while most of its bank holidays are the same as England and Wales, a couple, like the August bank holiday, are on different dates. In 2026, there was also an additional bank holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the Fifa World Cup.
The following bank holiday dates are still to come in 2026:
Monday, August 3 Summer bank holiday
Monday, November 30 St Andrew’s Day
Friday, December 25 Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
In 2027, the bank holidays will take place on the following dates in Scotland:
Friday, January 1 New Year’s Day
Monday, January 4 January 2nd bank holiday (substitute day)
Friday, March 26 Good Friday
Monday, May 3 Early May bank holiday
Monday, May 31 Spring bank holiday
Monday, August 2 Summer bank holiday
Tuesday, November 30 St Andrew’s Day
Monday, December 27 Christmas Day (substitute day)
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
The Shore by the Water of Leith in EdinburghAlamy
When are the bank holidays in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland’s bank holidays are largely the same as those for England and Wales, but there are two extra days off: St Patrick’s Day and a day to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
The remaining dates for 2026 are:
Monday, July 13 Battle of the Boyne (substitute day)
Monday, August 31 Summer bank holiday
Friday, December 25 Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
In 2027, the bank holidays in Northern Ireland are:
Friday, January 1 New Year’s Day
Wednesday, March 17 St Patrick’s Day
Friday, March 26 Good Friday
Monday, March 29 Easter Monday
Monday, May 3 Early May bank holiday
Monday, May 31 Spring bank holiday
Monday, July 12 Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
Monday, August 30 Summer bank holiday
Monday, December 27 Christmas Day (substitute day)
Monday, December 28 Boxing Day (substitute day)
What’s your favourite place for a bank holiday break? Please share in the comments below