Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled a plan to support small businesses, fan festivals, public viewing events and other World Cup-related activations across New York State. With increased demand expected for public watch parties and outdoor fan experiences, the State is taking steps to ensure communities and businesses can participate in World Cup celebrations while maintaining appropriate safeguards for alcohol service. As part of the plan, event organizers can host off-site activations throughout the duration of the World Cup by applying for a World Cup One-Day Permit through the New York State Liquor Authority. Bars and restaurants will also be able to use the World Cup One-Day Permit process to use contiguous outdoor space to host events during the World Cup as opposed to the current maximum of four days.<\/p>\n
In addition, Governor Hochul is working with the legislature to authorize temporary expansion of permissible operating hours during the World Cup, allowing bars, restaurants and other eligible on-premises establishments to remain open whenever matches are broadcast live. For the duration of the tournament, such legislation would allow licensed businesses in counties with earlier closing hours to operate until 4:00 a.m. and would temporarily supersede more restrictive hours imposed as conditions on individual licenses by the State Liquor Authority, establishing a clear and uniform statewide framework for safe and orderly World Cup celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure all New Yorkers can watch the World Cup in community spaces, and all businesses that want to show matches can be open to the public while they’re broadcast live,\u201d Governor Hochul said. \u201cWith the new World Cup One-Day Permit, businesses across the state can host off-site activities throughout the duration of the World Cup tournament instead of just a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Event organizers and licensees may use the State Liquor Authority\u2019s existing One-Day Alcohol Event Permit process to apply for the World Cup One-Day Permit for off-premises viewing events, including fan festivals, watch parties and similar activations.<\/p>\n
To streamline the process, applicants may request up to 12 one-day permits within a single application. Organizers hosting more than 12 events may submit multiple applications, each including up to 12 one-day permit requests.<\/p>\n
Existing on-premises licensees may also apply for the World Cup One-Day Permit to extend service into contiguous unlicensed outdoor areas and bars and set up TVs throughout the duration of the World Cup events.<\/p>\n
More information on the World Cup One-Day Permit, including how and where to apply, is available on the State Liquor Authority\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily M. Fan said, \u201cNew York is proud to be a host for this year\u2019s FIFA World Cup. These six weeks of matches will unite New Yorkers, transcend our differences, and bring us together through passionate competition and celebration. This June and July, small businesses and municipal locations across the Empire State will host public watch parties and other tournament-related events. Under Governor Hochul\u2019s leadership, the State Liquor Authority is cutting unnecessary red tape and making it easier for event organizers and local businesses to safely serve alcohol and create exciting opportunities for people to come together. The SLA is proud to advance our mission of fostering abundance and creating jobs, and we are excited to be part of this year\u2019s World Cup. Go USA!\u201d<\/p>\n Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, \u201cUnder Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is preparing to welcome travelers from around the world looking to experience the sights, sounds and excitement surrounding the 2026 World Cup. The new permits announced by the Governor today offer the perfect opportunity for small businesses throughout the state to plan special events and further benefit from the countless residents and visitors celebrating the thrills of this global sports spectacle.\u201d<\/p>\n State Senator James Skoufis said, \u201cThe World Cup has been played in the United States only a single time \u2014 back in 1994 \u2014 making this summer’s event truly once in a generation. As lawmakers, we have an opportunity and responsibility to ensure New York is primed to benefit from the 1.2 million expected visitors. The Governor\u2019s plan \u2014 alongside our new legislation \u2014 will ensure the state\u2019s restaurants and bars are able to capture the forthcoming economic activity and excitement in a big way.\u201d<\/p>\n Assemblymember Albert A. Stirpe said, \ufeff\u201cThe World Cup is an event watched by billions of people across the world and millions right here in New York. Communities across the state will gather together to enjoy the spectacle that happens only once every four years. This tournament will last 39 days. The legislation we\u2019re proposing provides a rare opportunity for businesses in every part of New York to host watch parties onsite and offsite, as well as conduct business outside of normal business hours, whenever a game is broadcast live. New York will maximize the moment for both fans and businesses!\u201d<\/p>\n Assemblymember Tony Simone said, \u201cKickoff of the World Cup is less than two months away and we need to ensure small business is in the starting lineup. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in cutting red tape in the permit application process and expanding outdoor dining and alcohol service during the games. This is a smart plan that will boost jobs and tourism while maintaining a safe atmosphere for all to enjoy the games.\u201d<\/p>\n New York State Senior Director of Major Events Justin Brannan said, \u201cGovernor Hochul\u2019s leadership and foresight are what make moments like this possible. She understands that the World Cup isn\u2019t just a global event but a local economic opportunity and a chance to bring communities together around the beautiful game. The stadium itself only holds 80,000 people but millions will be celebrating at their favorite neighborhood spots, from Canalside to Canal Street. This World Cup One-Day Permit will make it easier for our small businesses to benefit from this once-in-a-generation event while ensuring every New Yorker can be part of the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n New York City Hospitality Alliance Counsel Max Bookman said, \u201cNew York\u2019s bars and restaurants will be the primary venues for communal World Cup viewing for both locals and visitors. Today\u2019s announcement demonstrates Governor Hochul\u2019s commitment to ensuring that small businesses across the state can share in the economic opportunity of this extraordinary moment, while giving fans safe and welcoming places to gather. We also support efforts to provide flexibility around operating hours during live matches, particularly given time zone differences, so that businesses can meet demand in a safe and orderly way. This is how New York wins: by backing its small businesses and ensuring every neighborhood can be part of the action when the world\u2019s game comes to our doorstep. New York’s bars and restaurants thank Governor Hochul, and we look forward to working with the State Liquor Authority to implement today’s announcement.\u201d<\/p>\n New York State Restaurant Association President and CEO Melissa Fleischut said, \u201cWe applaud any changes that make it easier for restaurants and bars to help celebrate the World Cup. As an early supporter of these measures, we thank our partners in government for taking a proactive approach and eliminating red tape in the name of hospitality. This will truly benefit both restaurant operators and our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association Executive Director Scott Wexler said, \u201cOpportunities like hosting the World Cup don’t happen very often \u2014 so it’s exciting to see that Governor Hochul is working to allow New York’s hospitality community to provide the services our neighbors and visitors are seeking as part of their World Cup experience. Soccer fans know the thrill of rooting for their team side-by-side with their friends and neighbors \u2014 and there’s nothing like cheering with a crowd for a team wearing your nation’s crest on their jersey. These proposals will enhance the enjoyment of this world-class event, provide safe and responsible viewing opportunities, and provide additional revenue for small businesses and their employees.\u201d<\/p>\n New York State Latino Restaurant Bar and Lounge Association President Sandra Jaquez said, \u201cThe World Cup presents a major opportunity for small businesses across New York, especially minority-owned restaurants and bars, to benefit from the economic activity and energy this moment will bring. This added flexibility will help local establishments welcome fans, grow business, and serve as gathering places in the communities and neighborhoods we proudly serve. For many of our members and their customers, soccer is more than a sport, it is a deep cultural connection and a source of community pride. We thank Governor Hochul and SLA Chair Fan for recognizing that neighborhood businesses will play an important role in bringing the excitement of the World Cup to life across New York.\u201d<\/p>\n Today\u2019s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s efforts to capture World Cup excitement in New York State. Governor Hochul recently announced that 12 community-based projects across seven regions of New York State have been selected as awardees through the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program. Canalside in Buffalo will host three free community watch parties<\/a> for the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 group stage. Soccer fans are invited to gather at the waterfront to support the U.S. Men\u2019s National Team in their highly anticipated matches against Paraguay, Australia and T\u00fcrkiye. In addition to the Community World Cup Grant Program, New York State is supporting several initiatives designed to ensure communities across the state can participate in the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n Under Governor Hochul\u2019s leadership, New York is approaching the World Cup as a coordinated statewide activation for all New Yorkers to enjoy, combining private sector events through bars and restaurants, regionally led community events supported by the State and two State-led flagship experiences<\/a> on Long Island and in the Mid-Hudson Region. The Long Island and Mid-Hudson events will feature live match broadcasts alongside community-developed programming designed to celebrate New York\u2019s passion for the world\u2019s game. Designed as outdoor experiences capable of welcoming thousands of attendees, each event will reflect the unique character of its region while promoting community engagement, small business participation, and inclusive access. Additional event details will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, including how to sign up to be notified of future New York State World Cup announcements, visit the I LOVE NY website<\/a>.<\/p>\n As part of the FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul has also advanced NY Kicks, a new initiative aimed at expanding youth soccer access by investing in new soccer facilities and community programming in disadvantaged communities across the state. NY Kicks also advances Governor Hochul\u2019s Get Offline, Get Outside<\/a> initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to unplug from devices and spend time outdoors in their communities, by activating public spaces across the state and creating shared, active experiences for families.<\/p>\n These efforts also build on the State\u2019s broader strategy to maximize the economic, tourism and community benefits associated with hosting matches during the tournament.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled a plan to support small businesses, fan festivals, public viewing events and other…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":185200,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[9,11,10,49,51,50],"class_list":{"0":"post-205183","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-headlines","10":"tag-new-york-news","11":"tag-new-york-state","12":"tag-new-york-state-headlines","13":"tag-new-york-state-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=205183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=205183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}