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More than 400 pubs and restaurants have applied for extended opening hours during the 2026 men's football World Cup, which is being played in a different time zone.
The Fifa 2026 World Cup will be played in 16 cities across the host countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States – until the final on July 19th.
And more than 400 pubs and restaurants across Sweden are gearing up to screen late-night matches.
According to the hospitality industry organisation Visita, the scrapping of regulations that required venues to serve food alongside alcohol has increased venue interest in staying open into the morning.
A survey sent by Visita to all the country's municipalities reveals that 410 restaurants, pubs and other businesses have applied for extended licensing hours during the tournament.
THE LOCAL'S GUIDE: How to watch the 2026 men's football World Cup in Sweden
Nearly 90 percent of these applications come from venues that already hold a permanent alcohol licence but want to extend their opening hours. But around 50 applications have been submitted by businesses without a permanent licence.
"It's fantastic to see such an enormous amount of interest, and it proves that abolishing the strict food and kitchen requirements makes it much easier to stay open for special occasions," said Visita CEO Christer Fogelmarck in a statement.
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Source: The Local Sweden
