Liquor licensing guide for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Temporary Extension of Licensed Area - Outdoor

NEW: Licensees with an already approved outdoor FIFA-related Temporary Extension of Licensed Area (TELA) must apply to continue operating their TELA through September 6, 2026.

Current FIFA-related TELA approvals will not automatically continue beyond their approved end date. Eligible licensees are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow time for processing before their current TELA expires.

Please note:

• Applications and payment must be received before the current TELA expires
• Applications will continue to follow the existing approval process for each licence class
• Where local government or Indigenous Nation review is required, the LCRB will work with the applicable local government or Indigenous Nation as part of the approval process
• The extension period will count as one temporary change toward the annual limit of six temporary changes. No additional discretion request is required.
• Current TELA floorplans and approved capacity will be used for the extension
• An occupant load is not required
• Applicants must demonstrate a valid interest in, or approval to use, the outdoor space and meet all applicable local government or Indigenous Nation requirements

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For new applications:

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.

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.

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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.

While the March 31, 2026 guaranteed processing date has passed, applications related to FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to be accepted. However, applicants should be aware that applications requiring local government or Indigenous Nation support, or exemptions, require additional processing time. Applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm processing timelines with their local government before submitting an application to the LCRB.

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Special Event Permits (SEP)

Before you apply:

• Applications related to FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to be accepted. However, applications for events requiring an exemption or with 500 or more attendees require additional processing time. Applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm processing timelines with police and local governments before submitting an application to the LCRB, as some applications may not be processed in time for FIFA-related events.

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.

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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.