Ford extends last call to 4 a.m. for World Cup
Ontario bars and restaurants will serve alcohol two hours later during the FIFA tournament this summer. Some LCBOs staying open late too.
Starting June 11, Ontario's drinking hours are getting a two-hour boost. The Ford government is extending last call from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. for the duration of the FIFA World Cup—a window that runs through July 19. It's a move designed to capitalize on the global tournament's energy, letting bars, restaurants, and venues serve alcohol deep into the early morning while the matches are on.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will handle applications from licensed establishments looking to extend their hours. Some LCBO locations will also bump up their closing times to match the bar scene. It's a rare provincial experiment in hospitality accommodation, and one that reflects how seriously Ontario is taking its role as a World Cup host.
For Toronto's bar scene—already gearing up for a massive influx of international visitors—it's a green light to plan late-night viewing parties, watch-along events, and the kind of extended celebrations the tournament typically triggers. Venue owners have been quietly preparing for this window, so expect packed patios and standing-room crowds the moment kick-off times align with after-work drinking.
The move is practical if you're thinking about the logistics: live football matches don't follow Toronto's usual nightlife rhythm, so the province is bending its own rules to match the tournament's schedule. Whether this becomes permanent or reverts back on July 20 remains to be seen.