It’s official – Scotland is getting a bank holiday this June to mark Scotland’s men’s team playing at the World Cup.
When will Scotland get an extra Bank Holiday for the World Cup in 2026?
The World Cup opening game is against Haiti is on Sunday night, June 14, at 2am, Monday, June 15 will officially be a Bank Holiday.
Who will get a Bank Holiday?
A Bank Holiday is when most schools and businesses close for the day. However, it is up to each local council and individual business to either approve or reject the Bank Holiday.
As it stands, the private sector has criticised the plans so far, and four local councils have rejected the World Cup Bank Holiday. Edinburgh, Fife, Scottish Borders and Falkirk councils have declined the day off on Monday, June 15, 2026, while the rest did not confirm anything yet.
A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council said: “We won’t be treating it as a public holiday.”
While Fife Council said: “We do not intend to observe this additional holiday.”
Falkirk Council also said: “There is currently no bank holiday planned for 15 June. Council services and schools would be expected to operate as normal.”
This means that only the staff working in the public sector controlled by the Scottish Government will be guaranteed the Monday off.
The full list of council decisions for the World Cup Bank Holiday
- Aberdeenshire – No decision.
- Argyll and Bute – Decision at meeting on February 25.
- Dundee City – Under consideration.
- East Ayrshire – Under consideration.
- East Dunbartonshire – Under consideration.
- East Lothian – No decision.
- Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh) – Denied.
- Falkirk – Denied.
- Fife – Denied.
- Glasgow – Under consideration.
- Inverclyde – No decision.
- Midlothian – No decision.
- Moray – No decision.
- North Ayrshire – Decision at meeting on February 18.
- North Lanarkshire – Decision at meeting in early March.
- Orkney Islands – Under consideration.
- Scottish Borders – Denied.
- Shetland Islands – No decision.
- South Lanarkshire – Under consideration.
- South Ayrshire – Under consideration.
- West Lothian – Under consideration.
- Stirling – No current plans.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland will be on the world stage this summer and I want as many people as possible to be able to celebrate that moment. Football means a great deal to many people in this country, and it has been almost three decades since our men’s national team played at the World Cup finals tournament. The joyous reaction when Steve Clarke and his players secured qualification demonstrated what it meant to end that long absence.
“We want to make the most of Scotland’s participation in this global sporting event by ensuring people have the opportunity to come together and celebrate – no matter the outcome of the match. That is why I proposed making the Monday following our opening game in Boston a national bank holiday.
“I am very grateful to His Majesty King Charles for approving the proposal and I encourage employers around the country to work with staff to put in place suitable arrangements that will allow as many of them as possible to join in the celebrations.”