In New York City the bars could already serve alcohol until 4 am. The novelty signed by Governor Kathy Hochul concerns the rest of the state, where many counties had lower limits: in some cases the last lap arrived at one, in others at two or three. For the duration of the World Cup, from June 11 to July 20, the licensed premises can sell alcohol to 4 in the whole state of New York.
The measure is temporary and is born to accompany an event that, for New York and New Jersey, will not only be sports. The 2026 World Championship is played between the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 48 teams and 104 games. The final will be on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, the New Jersey stadium that for the tournament is indicated by FIFA as New York New Jersey Stadium. In the same venue there are eight games, including five rounds and three of the direct elimination phase.
For New York City, therefore, it changes little: in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens the premises were already accustomed to a long night, even outside the great sporting events. The law serves above all to prevent, during the World Championship, the rules change from one county to another. In this way the rules will also go to Buffalo, Albany, Long Island and other areas of the state, without forcing bars and restaurants to work at different times while the matches attract fans, tourists and watch parties.
According to estimates from the local organizing committee, the World Championship should bring more than 1.2 million visitors to New York-New Jersey and generate an economic impact of approximately $3.3 billion. Not everyone will go to the stadium, even because tickets are expensive and limited. Many will follow the games in the bars, squares, fan events or in the neighborhoods where the communities linked to the nationals in the field live. In those cases, keeping open longer means selling more, but also better distribute the presence of people at night.
L’articolo The bars of the whole state of New York will be able to serve alcohol until 4 am from New York.
