Norway Wants to Celebrate Participation in the World Cup. What’s Next for the Nighttime Alcohol Ban?

Several Norwegian cities are preparing to extend alcohol sales hours during the World Cup. In some municipalities, venues could serve alcohol until 6 a.m. However, Drammen has put forward an even more far-reaching proposal: allowing alcohol sales around the clock during the tournament.

The idea is supported by Lavrans Kierulf from the Progress Party. He is the chairman of the committee for culture, sports, and city life in Drammen. The politician emphasizes that Norway’s participation in the World Cup is a unique event. In his opinion, the city should create conditions for communal celebration.

Kierulf points out the timing of the matches. One of Norway’s games is scheduled to start at 5 a.m. He believes venues should not have to stop selling alcohol at 3 a.m. He also stresses that the decision to open a venue would be up to the owners.

The proposal has not yet been adopted. First, it will be reviewed by the city’s executive bodies. Then, the municipal council will address the issue. Kierulf believes that the police and the hospitality industry will be able to handle any consequences of the changes.

However, the idea is facing criticism. Turid Solberg Thomassen from the Christian Democratic Party opposes extending alcohol sales. In her view, matches can be watched without round-the-clock drinking. The IOGT organization suggests an alternative solution—so-called night cafés, which could operate at night but without selling alcohol after 3 a.m.

The Norwegian government wants to temporarily allow municipalities to extend alcohol sales hours during the World Cup. The draft changes are currently under consultation, which will last until March 13. After that, the parliament will make a decision. The proposed exception would apply to alcohol with up to 22% alcohol content, with specific rules to be set by individual municipalities.