Monday 15th June 2026 has officially been confirmed as a national bank holiday in Scotland to mark the national team’s participation in the men’s football World Cup finals.

His Majesty King Charles has approved the Royal Proclamation, confirming the bank holiday.

What about staff outside Scotland?

It applies only in Scotland, not in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Keep that front and centre.

Start with contracts. If your contracts refer to bank holidays in the place of work, those employees whose place of work is in Scotland get the day. If contracts list fixed dates, check the wording and decide your position.

Outside Scotland, you do not have to follow suit. There is no legal requirement to grant a matching day in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Some employees will complain. That is a noise issue, not a legal one.

What is the risk?

The real risk lies in how you handle it. If you drift, managers will improvise, and you will get inconsistent decisions, which is where grievances start. If you overcorrect and give everyone the day, you take an unnecessary cost hit.

What should you do?

Set a clear policy at the group level. Decide who gets the day and why. Record the rationale, cost, and operational impact. Then stick to it.

If you want to ease the optics, offer flexibility. For example, annual leave or time off in lieu, which means paid time off taken later. But treat that as a commercial choice, not an obligation.

Be clear, be consistent, and do not get pushed off your position by the volume of complaints.

Source: World Cup bank holiday confirmed – gov.scot