Ontario and British Columbia, the two Canadian provinces hosting matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, are taking different approaches to alcohol service hours during the tournament.Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that bars across the province will be allowed to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.from June 11 to July 19, with select LCBO stores also staying open later.The province says the temporary change is intended to help fans watch late-night games taking place in other North American time zones.British Columbia, however, has decided not to introduce a province-wide extension.According to B.C.

’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, the province’s scheduled World Cup matches in Vancouver already fall within existing liquor service hours, making broader changes unnecessary.Vancouver’s latest local kickoff is at 9 p.m., while Toronto viewers may watch matches starting as late as midnight due to games hosted elsewhere.Experts say the differing policies are likely more connected to geography and timing than political attitudes toward alcohol.

Dan Malleck, a Brock University professor specializing in alcohol policy, noted that late-night alcohol sales can increase risks related to public disorder, impaired driving and staffing pressures.

He contrasted this with earlier opening hours, which provinces have permitted during previous international sporting events such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Olympic hockey finals.Although B.C.is not changing rules province-wide, bars in downtown Vancouver can still apply for temporary liquor licence extensions until 4 a.m., and several applications have already been approved.Malleck said B.C.

’s case-by-case approach is consistent with its traditional liquor regulation policies and may reflect local concerns about neighbourhood noise and safety.He added that the success or failure of Ontario’s experiment could influence future decisions for major sporting events in Canada.