Sports fans in Alberta will be able to raise a glass to Team Canada's Olympic athletes during the early morning hours, thanks to a special regulatory allowance. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) regulator announced on Monday, January 19, 2026, that it is now accepting requests from licensed establishments for expanded hours of liquor service during the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Special Hours for Olympic Medal Events
The expanded service window is specifically for the period of the Games, which run from February 6 to February 22, 2026. This initiative is designed to accommodate fans who want to watch live coverage of events happening in Italy, where the time zone is eight hours ahead of Alberta.
Starting immediately, businesses with Class A, B, or C liquor licences can submit a notice to the AGLC if they plan to host viewing events for Olympic medal rounds. The regulator clarified that the extended hours are only permitted for events where a medal is on the line, and they can apply to any sport featured in the Games.
Rules and Requirements for Establishments
While the AGLC is facilitating these special hours, it is not granting blanket approval. Each business must apply individually and adhere to strict conditions. Establishments must ensure that a food menu appropriate for their licence type is available during the extended service period.
Furthermore, venues cannot remain open for a full 24-hour cycle. They are required to close for at least one hour both before and after the specific Olympic event they are showcasing. Businesses are also mandated to provide notice to the AGLC at least three days before the planned event.
Licensees interested in applying need to send their full operating name and licensing number to the AGLC at inspections.mailbox@aglc.ca.
A Tradition for Major International Sports
This practice of allowing extended hours for overseas sporting events is not new for Alberta. The AGLC has previously granted similar approvals for events like the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Edmonton pubs opened their doors around 5 a.m. so fans could watch the Canadian men's hockey team win the gold medal.
This year, the schedule again calls for very early starts. The men's hockey gold medal game is scheduled for 6:10 a.m. Mountain Time on February 22. Other finals will begin even earlier, with the bobsleigh final heat at 4:15 a.m. and the women's gold medal curling game at 3:05 a.m. on the same day.
This move by the AGLC ensures that Alberta fans can gather in a social setting to support Canadian athletes during these pivotal moments, continuing a tradition of community viewing for the country's biggest international sporting events.
