The 2026 FIFA World Cup for men will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, according to official sources. Sweden has qualified for the tournament, and due to the time difference, several matches will be broadcast late at night or early in the morning Swedish time, as reported by multiple outlets. The Swedish premiere against Tunisia on June 15 starts at 04:00 Swedish time, according to multiple reports.
In Stockholm, conflicting signals have emerged regarding extended serving hours. According to Expressen Sport, Stockholm says no to extended hours beyond 05:00. However, SVT Stockholm reports that Stockholm's socialnämnd voted yes to a temporary rule change allowing opening until 08:00 between June 11-14. The question will be officially decided in fullmäktige in May, according to multiple reports. This contradiction may reflect different stages of the decision-making process, leaving the final outcome uncertain.
We hope to show all Sweden's matches, but we don't know if we'll get a permit for it.
Region Gotland has temporarily extended serving hours during the World Cup, according to Region Gotland. Serving hours can be granted until 08:00 when Sweden plays. The decision was made by Ragnar Gustavii (M), chairman of the environmental and building committee, on delegation of the committee, as stated by Region Gotland. According to official sources, current serving guidelines allow alcohol to be served between 11:00 and 01:00, and previously the latest permitted serving time granted by Region Gotland's licensing authority was 03:00. In exceptional cases, after special review, temporarily extended serving hours can be granted outside the ordinary time frames, according to Region Gotland. A decision on further extension may be linked to special conditions, such as requirements for extra security guards or other preventive measures, as noted by Region Gotland.
Gävle kommun's social committee has taken an initiative to allow restaurants and other serving establishments to be open during match times, according to Gävle kommun. The initiative has been sent to the police and the municipality's environmental and health protection unit for their opinions, as reported by Gävle kommun. If the initiative passes, establishments with a valid serving permit can apply to serve alcohol until 07:00 to show the World Cup matches, and guests can be received without a requirement for pre-booking, according to Gävle kommun. Serving would be allowed without a requirement for food in connection with matches, provided the food requirement in the Alcohol Act is removed on June 1, as stated by Gävle kommun. A decision on extended serving hours is expected during week 17 or 18, and Gävle kommun recommends waiting to apply for extended serving hours until further information is provided.
We will keep open if the politicians allow extended serving.
According to Göteborgs-Posten, Moderaterna and Miljöpartiet in Göteborg have opened up for extending serving permits during the World Cup. Klara Holmin (MP) told Göteborgs-Posten that Göteborg proposes temporary permits until 06:00. According to Göteborgs-Posten, Ebba Friis described that Pitchers hopes to show all Sweden's matches but does not know if they will get a permit. Similarly, Marcus Svensson, owner of Glenn sportsbar, told Göteborgs-Posten that they will keep open if the politicians allow extended serving. In Växjö, Socialdemokraterna are positive to extended hours, according to Arijeta Rechi (S) as reported by multiple outlets. Örebro's Bygg- och miljönämnd is expected to adopt temporary guidelines for June 11 to July 19, according to Elisabeth Malmqvist (C) as reported by Nerikes Allehanda. Örebro will consider order, safety, and disturbance risks, with police involved; extended hours are not for nightclubs or live performances, according to Malmqvist. According to Nerikes Allehanda, an unnamed politician in Örebro described that it is not suitable to close during halftime. Borås Tidning has produced a proposal for extended serving permits, according to multiple reports.
In Norway, the prime minister has opened for a law change for the World Cup, according to multiple reports. Eight restaurants in Strängnäs and Mariefred have extended outdoor serving by one hour until midnight from April to October, according to multiple reports. According to Eskilstuna-Kuriren, Chian Alkoyun, a representative for O'Learys, described that they hope to have extended hours until 06:00 for Sweden's matches.
We hope to have extended hours until 06:00 for Sweden's matches.
Several unknowns remain. It is unclear whether Stockholm will ultimately approve extended serving hours until 08:00 or remain at 05:00. Which other Swedish municipalities are considering or have decided on extended serving hours has not been confirmed. The specific conditions, such as security measures, that will be required for establishments to obtain extended serving permits are not yet known. How the police and environmental health authorities will respond to Gävle kommun's initiative remains to be seen. Additionally, it is uncertain whether the food requirement in the Alcohol Act will be removed by June 1 as assumed by Gävle kommun.