The Worcester License Commission voted unanimously on Thursday morning to temporarily extend last call at city bars and restaurants to 3 a.m. throughout July 31 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Thursday’s vote comes after Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a bill on June 8, an act authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026.
The bill allows participating bars and establishments to remain open an hour later until 3 a.m., and provides for public consumption of alcohol in locally designated areas through July 31.
Per the license commission, any Worcester establishment wishing to participate in the extended hours pilot is required to send an email to license@worcesterma.gov that includes the name and address of the establishment and the name of the licensee.
“I think Worcester prides itself on its cultural diversity and I think soccer is the world’s game,” said Charran Fisher of the License Commission. “It transcends sex, race, religion and language. I think it’s a great economic opportunity for the city as well.”
During public comment, representatives from Piccolo’s (Shrewsbury Street), Bennie’s Cafe (East Mountain Street) and Dirt McGirt’s (Main Street) spoke in favor of the pilot program as did attorney Mark Borenstein of Prince Lobel Tye LLP and Mike Kane, director of economic development and public policy for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from June 11 through July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A total of 48 international soccer teams representing their countries will play in 104 matches in 16 different host cities, including Boston (Gillette Stadium in Foxborough).
The City of Worcester, in conjunction with partners Discover Central Massachusetts, Worcester Business Improvement District, Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants and Massachusetts Youth Soccer and 4Life Entertainment, co-host four “Game On Worcester” watch parties on the Worcester Common in June and July.
According to a city announcement issued May 28, the watch parties include live match screenings on a large outdoor screen, local food vendors and restaurants, cultural performances and music, family activities, soccer clinics and interactive games and community partner/nonprofit activations.
The city was awarded $120,000 through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s Sports and Entertainment Events Fund to help support the events. A total of $10 million was allocated to support FIFA World Cup-related programming, public celebrations, transportation, and event infrastructure throughout Massachusetts.
“The City of Worcester is honored to be one of several communities in the state to host watch parties,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista in the announcement. “This is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the game of soccer, one another, and our city.”
The watch parties are free and open to the public, but participants are encouraged to register their attendance online at DiscoverCentralMA.org/gameon.
The first watch party is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, when the common opens at 5 p.m. Fans can watch Brazil take on Morocco at 6 p.m., followed by Haiti versus Scotland at 9 p.m. The event concludes at 11 p.m.
A second watch party will be held Tuesday, June 23. The common opens at 3 p.m., with England facing Ghana at 4 p.m. Activities wrap up at 9 p.m.
The series continues Tuesday, July 14, with a World Cup semifinal. The Common will open at 2 p.m., the match will begin at 3 p.m., and the event will conclude at 5 p.m.
The final watch party is scheduled for Sunday, July 19. On that day, the common open at 1 p.m. before fans gather to watch the World Cup final at 3 p.m. Festivities are scheduled to continue until 7 p.m.
Information on city road closures, security updates and parking options for fans attending the watch parties can be found here. Are you a restaurant or bar hosting a watch party? Tell us about it here and we’ll add it to the list: carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
