B.C. bars can stay open longer for World Cup

British Columbia bars, pubs, and restaurants are being given the option to stay open later or open earlier so patrons can catch FIFA World Cup games this month.

The province has announced it is allowing a temporary change to operating hours for the global event, which takes place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.

B.C’s Public Safety Minister, Mike Farnworth, says the extension will be beneficial for both the service industry and soccer fans.

“Liquor primary establishments can extend their hours so soccer fans can support their team in a positive way with other fans, while also supporting the economic recovery of the hospitality sector coming out of the pandemic,” he said

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With the World Cup being held in Qatar this year, there is a 10-hour time difference with B.C., meaning many games will be played during the early morning hours.

While bars and pubs will be able to extend their hours, there are no changes to liquor sale hours. Non-alcoholic beverages can be served during the extended hours.

Extended hours to benefit hospitality sector

Executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees of BC (ABLE), Jeff Guignard, welcomes the extension of hours during the World Cup as the industry continues to recover from pandemic losses.

“The hospitality industry was losing money or barely breaking even for the last couple of years. Anything like this that can put a bit more money in their pocket is a massive deal for them. So I expect this year, you’ll see businesses want to get in on this,” he told CityNews.

Guignard says the service sector is still dealing with a labour shortage from the pandemic but is hopeful establishments will be able to sufficiently staff the extended hours.

“I think you’re going to find any place that can find some staff to do it will absolutely be trying, particularly sports bars. And you know, if we’re a little bit slow with service sometimes, please be patient. We’re doing our best to put our best foot forward,” he said.

Read More: Liquor supply still impacted a month after BCGEU strike

With the World Cup beginning in November, Guignard says it will coincide with another key time for the industry.

“The fact that we’ve got this going in November and then into holiday season with all the holiday parties is really good news for the industry,” he said. “Coming out of the pandemic, most businesses were not making any profit, they barely limped through. We had a strike from the BCGEU a few months ago, which caused massive disruptions to liquor supply that we’re still experiencing today in some cases.”

It’s not the first time the B.C. government has made a move like this for an international sporting event. The hospitality sector was allowed to expand hours for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Guignard says the extensions granted for those events were “immensely beneficial” to the service sector.

“On the surface, it may not seem like a big deal to get a few extra opening hours but we found there’s a lot of people who want to go gather at 6 a.m. with their friends before work and watch some of these games, or on their day off, or on the weekend. So, I think customers are going to love it.”

"For the country, you play with heart" ❤️

Milan Borjan speaks about the brotherhood within the squad heading into the @fifaworldcup in our latest episode of #DohaDreams #WeCAN

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) October 31, 2022

There will likely be a little more interest in this year’s World Cup, as Canada’s men’s national team qualified for the first time since 1986.

In 2026, Vancouver will host World Cup games of its own as it was selected, alongside Toronto, as a host city for the tournament.