The politics of partying: Our World Cup floweth over, including with 800,000 beers

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The Bay State's turn in the international sporting spotlight is here, with seven FIFA World Cup matches in Foxborough through July 9 that public officials are banking on to bring an economic boost and kick off a busy, touristy summer.

Hotel bookings have been softer than expected and there wasn't a tremendous rush to scoop up tickets to take the MBTA to the games, but at least one key sector appears poised for a big sales months: beer.

Like a striker on a breakaway, the Legislature that for years has buried happy hour bills moved with uncommon speed to pass legislation to allow last call to be extended as late (or as early) as 3 a.m. and to let cities and towns create public consumption sites -- for alcohol, that is; the social consumption of cannabis was first contemplated a decade ago and still has not become reality. The House and Senate finished up their work and Gov. Maura Healey wasted no time signing it into law Monday.

"We are all on the same team for this one: Massachusetts is giving cities and towns the chance to keep the party going," Andover Sen. Barry Finegold said in a statement. "Goallll!"

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For those keeping track of what did or did not get done in time for the World Cup: The Legislature did ensure the clans of Scots who started to fill downtown Boston bars this week will be able to buy an extra pint or two, but did not meet the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus's desire to have new protections for immigrants enshrined by the time the Bay State welcomes a raft of foreign guests.

At least the Tartan Army seems to be having a grand time in Boston so far. WBZ-TV talked to Scotland supporters arriving at Logan Airport this week -- their only complaint was that their plane had run out of beer somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Boston's pubs earned a "brilliant" from one Scot who spoke to the BBC, noting how odd it was that the locals here were somewhat oblivious to the soccer, er, futbol tournament about to get going.

Municipalities may see a boost from the thirst of tourists this month, but so too will FIFA and "Boston" Stadium in Foxborough. Sports betting media company The Action Network estimated that 842,219 beers will be poured across the seven games, which it said would generate more than $7.1 million in sales revenue and would be "enough to recreate the Boston Tea Party 33 times over." Don't get any ideas, you Scots.

"We didn't just come to drink your beer," Barry Gorrian told the Boston Globe as tears filled his eyes and fellow Scots sang their unofficial anthem in the Dubliner on Thursday. "We're here for the games and for the memories, which will be brilliant."

The local memory of this World Cup might not shine quite as brilliantly. Healey and other state officials have made clear that accommodating the international soccer spectacle will mean disruption to regular life for residents. Especially on match days, that means even worse traffic, reduced public transit service, more frustrating waits and more.

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"Seven games happening in Massachusetts: June 13, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29 and July 9 -- easy dates to remember when you put it all together," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said this week. "Those dates are important because we want to make sure that you're prepared for any adjustments that you may need to make if you're impacted by any of the travel modifications that need to happen because of the games taking place."

Maybe with some longer commutes on those dates, Beacon Hill will have plenty to stay busy as it works through its own bracket of legislation.

The House this week sent a $228 million supplemental budget to the Senate, packed with policy riders as the branches continue to load up fewer big bills rather than move a higher volume of standalone bills. Representatives got behind an extension of the the six-month maximum length of stay in the family shelter system to nine months, an increase in school construction grants, an expansion eligibility for veterans' benefits, and a new annual assessment on pharmacy benefit managers.

The branches also used this week to position more legislation to at least get into conference talks by July 31 to keep them active through the rest of the year.

The House stamped its versions of Senate-backed bills to defend against book bans and put legal teeth into safety protections around hot works like welding. A day later, the Senate passed its take on child welfare legislation, similar to a measure the House approved last year.

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With just seven weeks remaining for scheduled formal sessions in this two-year session, Senate President Karen Spilka threw a new topic into the hopper: announcing plans for the Senate to vote next week to set a target that Massachusetts spend 15% of healthcare dollars on primary care over the next four years without raising overall costs or premiums.

That one could have a long way to go in a short timeline. The House has not proposed its own primary care bill and leaders have not signaled that it is a serious priority for them. But negotiations that seemed to intertwine bills of disparate topics at the chaotic ends of recent sessions proved that, if something is not a priority of one branch, it could at least be used as leverage to secure passage of something that is.

And if this legislative session does come to a messy end like the last few have, most of Beacon Hill could probably benefit from an idea that Gov. Healey came out in full support of this week: the return of legal happy hour.

"I personally support happy hour," Healey told WEEI on Tuesday, despite having told WGBH in 2024 that she thinks "there are problems with it, to be honest." But the governor's change of heart, apparently, is grounded in a pursuit of a vibrancy that she thinks the state and its capital lack.

"I want to build a better vibe for young people here in the state, and young people who want to come here to stay here, hopefully," Healey said, clearly before the arrival of the vibrant Scottish contingent.

How will Boston navigate federal policy challenges and economic woes in a time of political uncertainty? What are the challenges and opportunities facing Boston in 2026? Kicking off a blockbuster summer featuring the World Cup and America 250, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins MASSterList columnist Jon Keller for an in-person fireside chat at the MCLE Conference Center in Downtown Crossing. Register here.

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