Beer Drinkers Get Good News Before the World Cup Begins
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, as the month-long soccer tournament hits North America.
Mexico, one of the host countries, is set to take on South Africa in the first game of the tournament on Thursday, June 11. Mexico will be taking on South Africa. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m. E.T. Games will continue on Thursday night and throughout the day on Friday, including America's first game of the tournament. The U.S. men's national team will take on Paraguay at 9 p.m. E.T. on Friday evening.
With dozens of games set to be played in the United States over the next month, nine U.S. states have officially changed their alcohol laws.
Beer drinkers - and those who partake in other alcoholic beverages - have gotten good news about their drinking habits, heading into the start of the World Cup.
9 U.S. states have changed their drinking laws
In total, nine U.S. states have changed their drinking laws, relaxing on bar opening times and other things, in the spirit of the 2026 World Cup.
The nine U.S. states that have changed their laws include:
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Georgia
- New Jersey
In New York, bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. throughout the tournament. In Kansas and Missouri, bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve alcohol from 6 a.m. until 5 a.m. Massachusetts, meanwhile, has extended drinking hours until 3 a.m.
Pennsylvania has extended its drinking hours by two hours, pushing the closing time for bars and restaurants to 4 a.m. Rhode Island has pushed its limit to 3 a.m., though bars and restaurants can stay open until 4 a.m.
Washington, Georgia and New Jersey have extended their hours, as well.
The World Cup, which will feature 48 teams, is set to have more than 100 games across Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Much of the country is going all-out in anticipation.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM.