Josh Shapiro signs bipartisan bill giving bars the option to stay open until 4 AM to celebrate World Cup and America250

Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1218 into law on Friday, establishing a temporary Philadelphia 250 Permit that allows bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues to stay open until 4 AM during the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The extended hours run from June 11 through July 20, 2026, pushing last call back two hours from the standard 2 AM closing time.

This is obviously the right call. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau projects over 1.5 million visitors to the city in 2026 from events alone, with expected spending north of $950 million generating a billion-dollar economic impact. Lincoln Financial Field is hosting six World Cup matches between June 14 and July 4th. The world is coming to Philadelphia and the city is going to be ready for it.

Governor Josh Shapiro signs bill to give bars the option to remain open until 4 AM

The will of the people will always prevail.

— Ryan Conway (@ryanconway76) March 27, 2026

What is genuinely baffling is that this was ever in question.

Representative Mary Isaacson, who represents neighborhoods in the Fishtown area, was actively campaigning against the extended hours.

Her reasoning was essentially that it would be too noisy. Too noisy. During the World Cup. In Philadelphia. The same city that threw a parade for the Eagles in February and had people climbing light poles on Broad Street.

Mary Isaacson looked at a once-in-a-generation global sporting event coming to her city and decided her primary concern was the noise level past 2 AM.

Sic Semper Tyrannis: Rep. Mary Isaacson opposes extending Philly bar hours to 4 am for the World Cup >>

This is not a random Tuesday in February where a few extra hours means a couple more Miller High Lifes at the corner bar. This is the World Cup. Cities spend decades bidding for the right to host these games. Philadelphia earned its spot on that stage and Rep. Isaacson wanted to cap the celebration at last call like it was any other night.

Genuinely sickening stuff.

Governor Josh Shapiro made the right call and the bill passed. Bars stay open until 4. The city makes more money. Workers make more money. Visitors from around the world get the full Philadelphia experience. Everyone wins except the people who wanted to go to bed early during the biggest event this city has hosted in a generation.

See you at 3 AM in June.

Join The Chase