Alberta granted expanded liquor license for 2026 Winter Olympics

Albertans will be able to cheer on Canada with their beverage of choice — at almost any time — during the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission said Monday that restaurants and bars can serve liquor with expanded hours during Olympic medal events for any sport.

However, with an eight-hour difference, a blanket approval hasn’t been made, as notice before events is required.

Establishments in the province with Class A, B and C liquor licensees can submit notice for expanded liquor service hours for medal rounds for all Olympic sporting events from Feb. 6 onwards. The AGLC says three working days’ notice is needed before the event.

The criteria for expanded hours of liquor service include:

• The event must be a medal round.
• It can be any Olympic sport.
• The licensee cannot be open a full 24 hours.
• The licensee must be closed for at least one hour before the event and one hour after the event during expanded hours liquor service.
• A food menu based on the licence type must be available during the approved expanded hours of liquor service.

Licensees can submit notice, with their full operating name and licensing number, to inspections.mailbox@aglc.ca.

The AGLC expanded liquor service hours for the 2024 Paris Olympic Summer Games and the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup.

The commission reminds Albertans to use Drinksense, a tool to teach and promote responsible drinking, while enjoying the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.