World Cup Bank Holiday 2026
(Bank Holiday for Scotland reaching the World Cup finals)
What is World Cup Bank Holiday and when does it fall?What is World Cup Bank Holiday, where in the UK is it a bank holiday and when does it fall? Date, day of the week, substitute day and background.
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When is World Cup Bank Holiday 2026?
World Cup Bank Holiday 2026 is on Monday, 15 June 2026.
World Cup Bank Holiday 2026 at a glance
| Date | Monday, 15 June 2026 |
| Date rule | one-off, 15 June 2026 only |
| Where it applies | Scotland only |
| Also known as | the World Cup holiday |
15 June 2026: the World Cup bank holiday
A one-off holiday
Monday 15 June 2026 was appointed a bank holiday in Scotland to mark the men's national football team reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years. It fell on the Monday after the opening game against Haiti, and applied to that one day.
Monday 15 June 2026 was appointed a bank holiday in Scotland to mark the men's national football team reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years. It fell on the Monday after the opening game against Haiti, and applied to that one day.
Scotland only
Scotland sets its own bank holidays, the power having been devolved by the Scotland Act 1998. The First Minister advises the Privy Council and the day is then appointed by royal proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. The proclamation was signed on 3 February 2026. It was not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Scotland sets its own bank holidays, the power having been devolved by the Scotland Act 1998. The First Minister advises the Privy Council and the day is then appointed by royal proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. The proclamation was signed on 3 February 2026. It was not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Not a day off for everyone
No bank holiday in Scotland obliges an employer to close, and this one showed it plainly. Several councils decided not to observe it on cost grounds, so in much of the country schools and council services stayed open as usual.
No bank holiday in Scotland obliges an employer to close, and this one showed it plainly. Several councils decided not to observe it on cost grounds, so in much of the country schools and council services stayed open as usual.
Other one-off bank holidays
Extra holidays of this kind are rare. Recent examples across the UK are the royal wedding in April 2011, the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
Extra holidays of this kind are rare. Recent examples across the UK are the royal wedding in April 2011, the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
All bank holidays of the year
Which other bank holidays fall in 2026, what day of the week they land on and which parts of the UK they apply to.Calendar around World Cup Bank Holiday 2026
The calendar month around World Cup Bank Holiday 2026 and the months before and after.
See also: Yearly calendar for 2026