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# Massachusetts Bill Would Let Bars Serve Booze Until 3 A.M., Create Public Drinking Zones During World Cup
- URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/massachusetts-bill-would-let-bars-serve-booze-until-3-a-m-during-world-cup/
- Published: 2026-05-26T20:41:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-26T20:42:58.000Z
- Description: A Massachusetts bill would let cities and towns allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol for an extra hour during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 250th celebrations.
- Author: State House News Service
- Tags: News, Politics, State Government

Katie Castellani  
State House News Service

Legislation that Rep. Carole Fiola introduced would allow Massachusetts restaurants and bars to stay open later this summer when the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Foxborough and as 250th celebrations commence across the state.

The legislation (HD 6086) would allow municipalities to let bars and restaurants sell alcohol for an extra hour, but no later than 3 a.m., from June 1 through Aug. 31\. During the same period, the legislation would let cities and towns designate areas where public alcohol consumption is permitted. Local authorities could also allow establishments with on-premises alcohol licenses to temporarily sell for off-premises consumption in those designated areas. 

The legislation is similar to a bill that’s moving through Rhode Island’s State House in anticipation of the World Cup coming to Gillette Stadium for seven matches from June 13 to July 9\. [In a May 7 press release](https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/%5Flayouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376441&ref=newbostonpost.com), Rhode Island Sen. Matthew LaMountain noted the World Cup is a “huge economic opportunity” for the Ocean State said the legislation will offer safe spaces for fans to watch the games.

Fiola’s office did not respond to the News Service’s questions on the legislation, which the Fall River Democrat filed May 1\. 

In March, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill that established a so-called Philadelphia 250 Permit that bars, restaurants and nightlife venues can get to stay open an additional two hours between June 11 and July 20\. Lawmakers in Kansas also passed a bill allowing bars, restaurants and clubs to sell alcohol for almost 24 hours - between 6 a.m. and 5 a.m. - for the duration of the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 and runs through July 19.

On Tuesday, the House referred Fiola's legislation to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, which she co-chairs. It is awaiting a committee assignment from the Senate.