HOBOKEN, NJ — After Gov. Mikie Sherrill stopped by a Hoboken sports bar on Monday to announce that the state would allow extended bar hours during the World Cup matches, the City Council took her up on it.
At their regular meeting on Wednesday night, the council voted to introduce an ordinance to allow longer hours during the World Cup matches, planned for this June and July.
The council will take a final vote on the ordinance at a future meeting.
While eight of the games will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford — just seven miles northwest of Hoboken — the other games will be played in different North American cities, and thus, in different time zones.
On Monday, Sherrill signed proclamation AN-2026-07, leaving it up to towns to set hours for liquor sales during the games.
“The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Sherrill said during her visit. “We're making it easier for residents and visitors to keep the energy going beyond the stadium, whether that’s gathering with friends at local restaurants, cheering on matches at neighborhood bars, or enjoying the excitement in our downtowns."
In Hoboken, bars can stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends, although new patrons are not admitted after 2 a.m. During the week, bars close at 2 a.m.
On Wednesday, the council voted on an ordinance to amend the city code regarding bar hours, just during the 39 days of the World Cup.
The amendment says that there are exceptions to the current bar hours on "Days when matches begin at 11 p.m. or 12 a.m. EST during the FIFA's World Cup 2026 soccer competition, beginning on June 11, 2026, and culminating on July 19, 2026 (including June 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, and 26)."
This means that alcohol can be sold between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. at bars and restaurants with a Type-33 alcoholic beverage license (for on or off-premises consumption). But participants must pay a $100 fee.
There are exceptions and rules, including regarding noise, prohibiting long lines outside the bar, and extending their hours from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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Sherrill designated $5 million for World Cup celebrations in towns throughout the state this year, including in Hoboken and Jersey City. The latter will host a major kickoff celebration on the waterfront on June 13.
Find out more about upcoming World Cup celebrations in New Jersey's "Flag Cities" here.
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