The Hoboken Girl Team 
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was in Hoboken today to announce that municipalities can extend local bar hours during the 2026 World Cup. Governor Sherrill appeared at Mulligans, located at 159 1st Street, which is a go-to spot for an expertly poured pint of Guinness and many international soccer matches. Read on for more about Governor Sherrill’s announcement and what the expanded bar hours will be.
Expanded Bar Hours
Expanding bar hours during a major sporting event is nothing new. In 2023, the City of Hoboken adopted a policy change that allowed bars to open and start serving at 5AM during the Women’s World Cup. Bars that wanted to open early for the games had to apply to the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board and pay a $100 fee. Some of the restrictions on the 5AM opening include a prohibition on any music or amplified noise besides the game audio, a ban on lining up or crowds outside the bar, patrons have to remain indoors from 5AM -10AM, and no outdoor viewing.
Pat Light, founder of The Light Group, which owns several bars in Hoboken, said that his experience with the extended hours in 2023 was positive. “We did participate in 2023 and had a good experience. World Cup brings such an energized audience so being able to cultivate that experience for soccer fans around the world traveling to Hoboken is exciting,” he said. “We do plan to utilize this in 2026 as we want fans of all countries to be able to come and watch their home country. The World Cup is such an exciting time for fans, so it will be great to be able to accommodate everyone during the summer,” he said.
While the provision was written with the 2023 World Cup matches in mind, it also references future games. ” The ABC Bureau of the Hoboken Police Department and the Administration shall recommend rules and regulations to the ABC Board for adoption on a yearly basis (in years when the World Cup is held) as determined to be reasonable based upon the location of the World Cup and the timing/schedule of the games for that year,” it reads.
Statewide Expansion
The New Jersey Office of Attorney General (OAG) released a memo in April 2026 outlining operational policies for bars and other venues that serve alcohol during the World Cup. The memo confirms that the state ABC cannot overrule a municipal ordinance governing bar hours, and sets up an application process for businesses to apply for temporary permits that would support operations during the World Cup. In other words: bars can get creative with their operating hours and locations if the municipality permits it.
Governor Sherrill explained that this new guidance is designed to create economic opportunities for as many businesses as possible during the World Cup. By allowing towns to be flexible with bar + restaurant operating hours, communities can create their own opportunities. “With this proclamation, we are going to allow towns and counties to make good choices for their communities, drive investment into our small businesses,” she said.
The proclamation encourages municipalities to take advantage of the guidance offered by the NJ OAG in extending hours of bar operation. “Any such temporary regulatory adjustments will promote economic opportunity, enhance the fan experience, and ensure that New Jersey residents and visitors alike can safely and responsibly participate in World Cup festivities;” one section reads.
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