Liquor licensing guide for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Temporary Extension of Licensed Area - Outdoor

If you wish to use additional outdoor space to serve liquor for the duration of the FIFA tournament period, you must:

• Submit a temporary change application for a Temporary Extension of Licensed Area through the LCRB portal.

Before you apply:

Approved capacity will be based on the requested extension capacity, and an occupant load is not required.

Applicants must demonstrate valid interest in or approval to use the outdoor space and meet all applicable local government or Indigenous Nation requirements.

Where supported by the local government or Indigenous Nation, any temporary changes approved by the LCRB for the duration of the tournament period will count as one temporary change toward your annual limit of six. No discretion request is required for Outdoor TELAs.

Application deadline: Apply by March 31, 2026 

Apply now

Other temporary changes to a licence

If you wish to make any of the following temporary changes during the tournament period, you must apply to the LCRB:

• Extending liquor service hours (Temporary Extension of Hours)
• Using additional indoor space to serve liquor (Temporary Extension of Licensed Area - Indoor)
• Allowing patron participation in events or licensed areas (Temporary Patron Participation)
• Temporary changes to a specific term and condition (Temporary Term and Condition)

Before you apply:

When you apply for these temporary changes for the FIFA tournament period of June 11, 2026, to July 19, 2026, please include a request for discretion in the notes section of the application, explaining why the request is related to the tournament. A 
separate discretion application is not required for those requests related to 
the tournament.

While the LCRB will share your application with your local government or Indigenous Nation through the licensing portal, we encourage you to connect with your local government or Indigenous Nation to review details and local requirements that will assist them in supporting your application.

Where supported by the local government or Indigenous Nation, any FIFA World Cup 2026™ related temporary changes approved by the LCRB for the duration of the tournament period will count as one temporary change toward your annual limit of six.

Hours changes that do not go past midnight may be approved by the LCRB without local government involvement.

Application deadline: Apply by March 31, 2026

Apply now

Special Event Permits (SEP)

Before you apply:

• Under 500 attendees—apply at least 30 days before
• Over 500 attendees or exemptions—apply at least 60 days before

For events in Vancouver, check city permits and requirements before applying.

Licensees hosting FIFA-related events may apply for an exemption to maximum drink price limits, recognizing the international significance of these events. Learn more about how to apply for exemption. 

Food Primary and Liquor Primary licensees

An FP or LP must temporarily de-license (temporarily suspend) to allow someone to apply for a Special Event Permit (SEP) in their licensed area so that the space can operate under the rules of a SEP. However, licensees cannot exceed the combined threshold of six temporary changes per year.

Learn more

Permanent changes to a licence

Certain types of changes to an FP, LP or Manufacturer licence must be referred to the local government or Indigenous Nation, including:

Food Primary (FP) licensees

• Permanent or temporary increases to indoor occupant load or seating capacity
• Permanent or temporary extensions to liquor service hours past midnight
• Permanent or temporary Patron Participation Endorsements (e.g. dancing karaoke)

Liquor Primary (LP) licensees

• Permanent or temporary increases to occupant load or seating capacity
• Permanent or temporary extensions to the hours of liquor service
• Structural changes altering the establishment’s size, layout, or entry/exit points
• New permanent or temporary patios or expansions to existing patios

Manufacturer licensees

• Permanent or temporary increases to occupant load or capacity for existing manufacturer lounge/special event area endorsements 
• Permanent or temporary extensions to the hours of liquor service for existing manufacturer lounge/special event area endorsements 
• New permanent patio for existing manufacturer lounge/special event area endorsements
• Temporary extension of licensed area for existing manufacturer lounge/special event area endorsements

Review process

Local authorities review these applications to assess public safety, community impacts, zoning/bylaw alignment, and any public input requirements. The LCRB cannot issue a final decision until the local government or Indigenous Nation provides a recommendation or the response period ends.

Applications must include complete documentation to be processed and will be reviewed in the order received.