B.C. won’t extend last call for World Cup games as Ontario did — and it’s all about time zones

There are two Canadian provinces hosting FIFA World Cup games next month, but only one will allow you to buy booze until 4 a.m. during the tournament.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his government will allow bars to stay open two hours later than usual in a social media post last Tuesday — a move welcomed by Toronto’s mayor Olivia Chow and the province’s NDP opposition. 

“FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to Ontario, and we want fans to experience every moment of it,” said Ford, wearing a red FIFA scarf and holding a soccer ball.

“With games taking place in multiple time zones across North America, we’re extending alcohol service hours to 4 a.m. from June 11 to July 19 so fans can enjoy the games no matter what time they’re happening.”

An Ontario news release said the extension would also apply to 27 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) store locations, which will stay open until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

But B.C. soccer fans shouldn’t wait around for a similar announcement. B.C.’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) says it’s sticking to its regular rules for the tournament. Those keeping an eye on the moves say it likely has more to do with time zones than permissiveness.

In a statement to CBC News, the LCRB said all the World Cup events will take place within B.C.’s existing liquor service hours, so a last call extension isn’t needed.

Vancouver is hosting seven games between June 13 and July 7, with the latest starting at 9 p.m. local time. In Toronto — host to six World Cup matches from June 12 to July 2 — the latest local game will start at 7 p.m., but three games hosted in other cities will start at midnight local time.

Ontario extends alcohol service hours for bars and some LCBO locations during FIFA World Cup

Late night liquor sales are certainly “on brand” for Ford, says Dan Malleck, a professor and chair in the Department of Health Sciences at Brock University who specializes in alcohol and prohibition. 

Ford has campaigned on selling beer and wine in corner stores and recently expanded provincial alcohol rules to allow people to bring their own drinks to cultural or community outdoor events.

Both Ontario and B.C. allowed bars to open early during the 2022 World Cup when Qatar hosted and games started before 6 a.m. And during the Olympics in February, when Team Canada was in the men’s hockey final both provinces made similar exceptions.

Malleck says late closing times pose a little more risk than early openings. 

“You can have a situation where people have been drinking all afternoon and into the evening, and so there may be more incidents of possible public disorder.”

Though there’s no rule change across the board in B.C., bars there are allowed to apply for temporary extensions, and the LCRB says it has already approved 30 extended licences during the World Cup.

“Eligible Downtown Vancouver licensees may continue to apply to extend closing times to as late as 4 a.m. through the LCRB’s online portal,” the LCRB said.

Malleck says B.C.’s approach is fairly consistent with how liquor authorities usually operate. A case-by-case application process better ensures any change isn’t disruptive to the community. 

Different cultures around staying out late and a more vocal community raising concerns about noise could have also contributed to the decision, he said.

Malleck says that community groups opposed to late night alcohol sales often speak out about noise, public drunkenness and a heightened risk of drunk driving, concerns he says are valid. He noted it could also affect workers. 

“I think there are also legitimate concerns about the impact on staff. Because if you’re going to keep your place open, some precariously employed staff may feel the need to stay longer.”

Ultimately, Malleck says the time zone was likely the decider in the end.

“It probably won’t ever be a case where people are kind of wanting to stay in a bar at four in the morning, when the game ended three hours earlier.”

Depending on how Ford’s late-night experiment goes, Malleck says B.C. could change its rules for the next big sporting event.

“If it goes well it could make it a little easier and less contentious for this to happen in the future.”