Local Bars Push for Extended Hours for FIFA World Cup
A coalition led by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association is pursuing a temporary permit to extend alcohol service in Philadelphia bars until 4 a.m. during the 2026 FIFA World…
A coalition led by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association is pursuing a temporary permit to extend alcohol service in Philadelphia bars until 4 a.m. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from June 11 to July 19.
The bar and restaurant industry sees this moment as an opportunity for Philly's nightlife to leverage the outpouring of soccer fans and others coming to town to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Bars want to be able to open past the state's 2 a.m. curfew for serving alcohol.
"We want to make sure that Philly is competitive with the other host cities," said Ben Fileccia, senior vice president of strategy and engagement at the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, a trade group based in Harrisburg, told PhillyVoice. "We know people are going to be coming from all over the world, and their drinking schedule doesn't necessarily stop at 2 a.m."
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Lincoln Financial Field is hosting six World Cup matches, including one on the Fourth of July. The international soccer tournament is at the center of a summer schedule that has made Philadelphia a global travel destination in 2026. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau anticipates more than 1 million international travelers will be in Philadelphia this year.
Any temporary adjustments to Philly's bar curfew would need to be authorized by a state law. The bill would need to detail how and when the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board would administer permits for businesses that want to adjust their operating hours.
While the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association, another trade group based in Harrisburg, is "supportive" of legislation to extend alcohol service hours, some within the association are raising concerns about its feasibility.
"Part of the problem with the 4 a.m. concept will be getting employees to work that late," Executive Director Chuck Moran said. "The second issue with the 4 a.m. concept will be that the late-night bar crowds have disappeared.... So I'm not sure how popular it would be with bar owners. Nonetheless, it would be worth giving bar owners that option."
