AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island may allow eligible indoor liquor licenses to extend hours for World Cup 2026 matches, up to 4:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. service, with local approval.

05/29/2026 Signed by Governor

Overall purpose

This act would authorize Rhode Island licensing authorities to grant temporary, extended indoor service hours for certain liquor-licensed establishments during select dates in 2026, specifically to support public watch opportunities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The extension is optional and at the discretion of local licensing authorities.

Key provisions and changes

Authority to extend hours (new Chapter 7.1 of Title 3):

Establishments licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink for consumption on premises may apply to their local licensing authority to extend hours, beyond their normal closing time, for periods up to:
Until 4:00 a.m. for operating hours, and
Liquor service up to 3:00 a.m.
Applications must be submitted at least 14 days in advance.
Extensions apply only to indoor areas of licensed premises. They do not automatically apply to any special permits unless the licensing authority explicitly grants them.
During temporary extension periods, current state hours-of-operation laws would not apply to the licensees approved for the extension, except as otherwise provided in section 3-7.1-3.

Authorized periods (dates tied to FIFA World Cup 2026):

Temporary extensions are available only for matches held during specific dates in 2026, namely:
June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27
July 2 and 3
The extensions would apply through the morning of the following day, within calendar year 2026, and only for the authorized period granted by the local licensing authority.

Municipal procedures and fees:

Local licensing authorities may approve or deny (in whole or in part) applications for extended hours or areas.
Licensees are not required to pay any application fee for the temporary extensions granted under this chapter.

Who is affected

Licensees: Retail liquor establishments with on-premises consumption rights may seek temporary extensions to stay open later and serve alcohol later on indoor premises during the listed World Cup dates.

Local licensing authorities: May grant, deny, or tailor (in part) the requested temporary extensions, and set any related conditions.

General public and game-watch events: Potentially greater access to extended hours during World Cup matches, particularly for venues that receive authorization.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Eligibility and application timeline: Licensees must file applications at least 14 days before the desired extension.

Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.

Duration: The authority to extend is limited to the specific World Cup dates in 2026 and to the morning after those dates, per approval by local authorities.

Notes and context

This is a permissive measure, not a mandate. It gives local authorities discretion to permit later hours on a temporary, as-needed basis.

The extension applies only to indoor areas and does not automatically alter ordinary licensing rules outside the World Cup event window.

The bill underwent a substitute (Sub A), with committee recommendations indicating progress toward passage in April 2026.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page concise brief for policymakers or a public-facing FAQ addressing common questions about how to apply and what conditions might be imposed.

Bill