Rotterdam eases rules for hospitality venues during 2026 FIFA World Cup

Rotterdam will ease regulations for bars, restaurants, and events during the World Cup, Mayor Carola Schouten told the city council in a letter.

Bars and restaurants will be allowed to broadcast matches in full, including extra time, even beyond regular closing hours. In fan zones, the usual event rules remain in place, but opening hours will be extended past 11 p.m. Matches that kick off at 10 p.m. can be shown in their entirety.

The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Because of time differences, some matches will air in the evening or overnight in the Netherlands. The Dutch national team’s group-stage games are scheduled for 7 p.m., 10 p.m., and 1 a.m. Dutch time.

“Many residents of Rotterdam want to follow these matches,” the municipality said in a press release. “But other countries with strong communities in the city, such as Curaçao, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Turkey, also deserve a place where people can come together and cheer.”

A number of Dutch municipalities, including Amsterdam, are easing hospitality rules for the World Cup. In Hoorn and Ede, venues can request a permit for individual matches, and screens may also be placed on terraces under specific conditions.

In Leidschendam-Voorburg, licensed venues can remain open during all matches, but viewing is restricted to indoor spaces. In The Hague, cafés are allowed to install screens, including on terraces, provided they are oriented toward the inside of the venue.