Toronto mayor backs first liquor sales in bars and restaurants during World Cup

Toronto Mayor John Tory is backing a plan to allow local restaurants and bars to serve alcohol earlier than usual during the FIFA World Cup.

The mayor says he will ask city councilors next week to approve a plan to allow liquor sales to start at 8 a.m., an hour before the provincial norm, for the duration of the international soccer tournament.

The World Cup runs from November 20 to December 18, but the earliest Toronto’s proposal would get the green light is during the first meeting of the city’s newly elected council on November 24.

The change would align alcohol sales with the 8 a.m. start for some previous games given the eight-hour time difference between Toronto and tournament host Qatar.

Tory is offering the move as a way to help the pandemic-hit restaurant industry, giving them another way to enjoy World Cup celebrations in Toronto.

Canada qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Toronto was recently selected as one of 16 cities to host 2026 World Cup matches.