Six states extend bar hours for World Cup fans

At least six U.S. states have approved extended bar and restaurant hours for the 2026 World Cup, with some Kansas City establishments authorized to remain open until 5 a.m. as local governments push to revive struggling hospitality businesses.

The measures reflect a growing push by state and local governments to leverage major sporting events for economic recovery, as hospitality operators nationwide continue to grapple with the post-pandemic decline in late-night consumer spending.

Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington have signed off on measures extending bar closing times well past the usual 1 to 2 a.m. cutoff for the tournament's duration of June 11 to July 20, according to The Korea Times. In Philadelphia, bars may now remain open until 4 a.m., two hours later than the standard closing time under Pennsylvania law.

In Kansas City, Missouri, certain establishments can stay open until 5 a.m. if they submit security plans to police — three and a half hours past the city's standard 1:30 a.m. last call, the Korea Times reported. Rhode Island, where last call is currently 1 a.m. outside Providence, is weighing an extension to 3 or even 4 a.m. closing times.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed off on the changes with a video statement urging residents to "Celebrate responsibly, Philly," according to the Korea Times. Mark Prinzinger, owner of Lion Sports Bar in Philadelphia, called the atmosphere a "magical experience" and described the draw: "People want to have a beer with other soccer fans and the great thing about the World Cup is that it brings people together from all over the world into one place to watch a sport that everybody loves," Prinzinger said.

Bar owners have pushed back against concerns that later hours will encourage overconsumption. "Just because people are hanging out at the bar watching a soccer game doesn't mean they're getting blitzed. In fact, I would say it's completely the opposite. I think people want to watch the game. People want to be engaged," Prinzinger told the Korea Times.

Rhode Island state Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a Democrat, made a similar argument on the House floor. "Not everybody that's going to walk into a place is going to be chugging drinks and getting loaded. There are going to be families who are going to want a cheeseburger, an American cheeseburger, and a Coca-Cola," Tanzi said. The extended hours also address a scheduling reality: four World Cup games kick off at midnight Eastern time and eight start at 10 p.m., the Korea Times noted.

Still, industry analyst David Henkes, senior principal at Technomic, cautioned that a post-pandemic consumer shift toward earlier outings and lower spending makes late-night demand uncertain, according to the Korea Times. Bar owners noted that participation in the extended hours program remains voluntary, not mandatory.

Similar changes are taking effect overseas: England and Wales have extended pub hours to 2 a.m. during knockout stages, while Scotland will allow establishments to remain open 30 minutes after each match ends, the Korea Times reported.