A proposal for around-the-clock hours for bars and restaurants in Washington, D.C., during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was granted approval by the city council.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has until June 29 to sign off on the measure, which was unanimously approved by the 13-person council.
Bars and restaurants wishing to extend hours would pay a $100 fee but are then granted permission to serve alcohol for 22 hours — the exception being 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. — to allow patrons to indulge in live coverage of matches in Australia and New Zealand. The World Cup begins July 20 and ends Aug. 20.
The opening Group A match between New Zealand and Norway on July 20 is scheduled to air on FOX at 3 a.m. ET.
The first match involving the United States is Friday, July 21 at 9 p.m. ET, but a match scheduled for Aug. 1 against Portugal has a 3 a.m. ET start time.
There is a time difference of 14 to 16 hours between the hosts of the event and Washington, D.C. The same proposal was approved for local establishments to offer extended hours and services during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Councilman Kenyan McDuffie said in proposing the extended service hours that the World Cup resonates on the same level as the Super Bowl for soccer fans.
“This event takes place every four years and is a Super Bowl-type sporting event for soccer fans. Local soccer fans are expected to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup tournament regardless of the hour,” he said.
