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New York City could soon get a little more festive and a little more relaxed about where you can enjoy a drink.
A new bill introduced in the New York State Assembly would allow cities and towns across the state to temporarily create “entertainment zones” where people could legally drink alcohol outdoors during this summer’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. If approved, it could mean watching matches with a beer in hand while standing on a closed-off street in places like Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen.
The proposal, which is sponsored by Manhattan Assemblymember Tony Simone, is called the HOST Act—short for the Hospitality and Open Space Transformation Act. The legislation would let local governments apply to the State Liquor Authority for permission to establish designated areas where licensed bars and restaurants could serve alcohol that patrons can take outside and enjoy within a defined zone.
The timing is no coincidence. The 2026 World Cup, which is set to run from June 11 through July 19, will be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams playing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Eight matches, including the final, will take place in the New York area at MetLife Stadium.
Plus, with roughly 1.2 million visitors expected to travel to the tri-state area during the tournament, Simone argues the city should be ready to handle the crowds—and help local businesses benefit from the influx.
“We want to make sure that small businesses are in the starting lineup,” Simone told NBC 4 New York.
Under the proposal, only businesses that already hold liquor licenses could participate, and all existing rules (like the legal drinking age and enforcement oversight) would remain in place. Cities could also temporarily extend bar hours to better align with match times, including games played overseas in different time zones.
The zones could look like a temporary street festival, with participating bars and restaurants selling drinks while nearby streets are closed to traffic, letting fans watch games and mingle outdoors.
New York already plans to host official fan zones at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Simone’s bill would expand the concept, letting neighborhoods create their own viewing areas.
Similar “fan zone” alcohol policies have already been adopted in other places hosting World Cup events, including parts of California and Washington State.
The bill still needs to pass the state legislature and receive approval from the State Liquor Authority before anything becomes official. But with the tournament less than 100 days away, supporters say the clock is ticking. Or, put another way: if lawmakers move quickly enough, the World Cup might come with an unexpected New York perk—legally taking your drink outside.