The NYC Hospitality Alliance is proud to share our advocacy win for the industry ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Please see the following press release below that includes a quote from The Alliance. You can view the full press release here.
World Cup One-Day Permit from New York State Liquor Authority Will Allow Off-Site Activations and Expanded Outdoor Activations
Governor Calls on Legislature To Pass Legislation Expanding Operating Hours for Duration of 2026 World Cup
Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled a plan to support small businesses, fan festivals, public viewing events and other World Cup-related activations across New York State. With increased demand expected for public watch parties and outdoor fan experiences, the State is taking steps to ensure communities and businesses can participate in World Cup celebrations while maintaining appropriate safeguards for alcohol service. As part of the plan, event organizers can host off-site activations throughout the duration of the World Cup by applying for a World Cup One-Day Permit through the New York State Liquor Authority. Bars and restaurants will also be able to use the World Cup One-Day Permit process to use contiguous outdoor space to host events during the World Cup as opposed to the current maximum of four days.
In addition, Governor Hochul is working with the legislature to authorize temporary expansion of permissible operating hours during the World Cup, allowing bars, restaurants and other eligible on-premises establishments to remain open whenever matches are broadcast live. For the duration of the tournament, such legislation would allow licensed businesses in counties with earlier closing hours to operate until 4:00 a.m. and would temporarily supersede more restrictive hours imposed as conditions on individual licenses by the State Liquor Authority, establishing a clear and uniform statewide framework for safe and orderly World Cup celebrations.
“We want to make sure all New Yorkers can watch the World Cup in community spaces, and all businesses that want to show matches can be open to the public while they’re broadcast live,” Governor Hochul said. “With the new World Cup One-Day Permit, businesses across the state can host off-site activities throughout the duration of the World Cup tournament instead of just a few days.”
Event organizers and licensees may use the State Liquor Authority’s existing One-Day Alcohol Event Permit process to apply for the World Cup One-Day Permit for off-premises viewing events, including fan festivals, watch parties and similar activations.
To streamline the process, applicants may request up to 12 one-day permits within a single application. Organizers hosting more than 12 events may submit multiple applications, each including up to 12 one-day permit requests.
Existing on-premises licensees may also apply for the World Cup One-Day Permit to extend service into contiguous unlicensed outdoor areas and bars and set up TVs throughout the duration of the World Cup events.
More information on the World Cup One-Day Permit, including how and where to apply, will be available on the State Liquor Authority’s website. (coming soon)
New York City Hospitality Alliance Counsel Max Bookman said, “New York’s bars and restaurants will be the primary venues for communal World Cup viewing for both locals and visitors. Today’s announcement demonstrates Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensuring that small businesses across the state can share in the economic opportunity of this extraordinary moment, while giving fans safe and welcoming places to gather. We also support efforts to provide flexibility around operating hours during live matches, particularly given time zone differences, so that businesses can meet demand in a safe and orderly way. This is how New York wins: by backing its small businesses and ensuring every neighborhood can be part of the action when the world’s game comes to our doorstep. New York’s bars and restaurants thank Governor Hochul, and we look forward to working with the State Liquor Authority to implement today’s announcement.”
