Nancy Rokos / Special to the Bucks County Courier Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Philadelphia is one of the cities that have been tapped to host World Cup games when the tournament descends upon North America this summer. Its bars usually shut down at 2 A.M., but many of those drinking establishments will get to take advantage of a law that was drafted with the event in mind.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will serve as the hosts for the 2026 World Cup, and the 16 cities that are home to the stadiums where games will be played will be hoping to reap the economic benefits stemming from the influx of fans who will flock to them for a competition that will officially kick off on June 11th.
11 of those venues are located in the United States. That includes Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which is best known for being the home of the Eagles but will welcome a different type of football during the six matches that will be held there between June 14th and July 4th.
People who hit the town in The City of Brotherly Love are able to take advantage of a bar scene that normally shuts down at 2 A.M., but they’ll be treated to some bonus hours courtesy of the World Cup.
A law that will allow bars in Philadelphia to stay open until 4 A.M. during the World Cup is expected to pass in Pennsylvania
Most people can’t even fathom the concept of staying at a bar past midnight once they reach the age of 30, but being subjected to a last call announcement can be a fairly devastating development for drinkers who are equipped to throw back booze well into the wee hours of the morning.
Philly is one of many major cities in the United States that requires its watering holes to shut down by 2 A.M., but according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, they’ll be getting a temporary extension once June rolls around.
Earlier this month, State Senators Joe Picozzi and Vincent Hughes (a Republican and Democrat, respectively) co-sponsored a bill to extend closing time to 4 A.M. in conjunction with the World Cup and a number of events linked to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
The proposal was backed by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and received bipartisan support in the Senate and House, which passed the measure that Governor Josh Shapiro says he intends to sign.
When he does, bars will be able to pay $500 to apply for a “Philadelphia 250 Permit” that will allow them to remain open two hours later than normal between June 11th and July 20th. It is primarily intended to let soccer fans watch games that start late at night, although State Rep. Mary Isaacson, who opposed the bills, noted there are only three matches that will be getting underway at midnight on the East Coast.
This marks the first time last call has been pushed since the city read the room when it welcomed the Democratic National Convention in 2016, although that extension was largely limited to hotels and venues hosting events officially affiliated with the gathering.