Buying Beer At Camp Randall Stadium: What You Need To Know

As of the 2024 season, beer, wine, and pre-packaged alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at Camp Randall Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Badgers. This is the first time in the stadium's history that alcoholic beverages have been available to fans in general seating areas. Previously, alcohol sales were limited to fans in suites and club seats. The decision to expand alcohol sales was made by Wisconsin Athletics, and it is expected to boost revenue for the university.

Alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium began in 2024

The decision to sell alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium was made by Wisconsin Athletics, who previously limited alcohol sales to fans in suites and club seats. The organisation reported that they "were pleased with how well alcohol sales went" at Badgers hockey and basketball games in the 2023 season, and expected a similar outcome at Camp Randall. With the addition of alcohol sales, the stadium became the 16th out of 18 Big Ten football venues to offer alcohol at sporting events.

The process of purchasing alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium typically involved fans joining a queue at a concession stand or dedicated location, presenting their ID to verify their age, and then selecting their desired beverage. The drinks were priced at $11.99 for cans of Coors Light, Busch Light, Varsity Golden Ale, and Spotted Cow, while vodka drinks High Noon Pineapple and Carbliss Black Raspberry were priced slightly higher at $12.49. Fans were limited to purchasing two drinks at a time per person, and additional security and police presence were implemented to monitor the situation and address any problems.

The introduction of alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium was not without controversy. Some fans expressed concern about the potential impact on the game atmosphere, especially with the presence of students and children. There were also worries about increased rowdiness and the already heavy drinking culture associated with Badgers football fandom. However, others argued that allowing alcohol sales within the stadium could help curb the issue of fan intoxication, as people tended to drink excessively before the game knowing they couldn't drink during it. Despite the mixed reactions, the first night of alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium was a success, with thousands of fans walking away from concession stands and drink stations with their chosen beverages.

Beer, wine, and hard seltzers are available

The decision to sell alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium was made by Wisconsin Athletics, which announced that beer, wine, and pre-packaged alcoholic products would be sold in the general seating areas of the stadium and the UW Field House. This change brought Wisconsin in line with 16 other Big Ten schools that allow alcohol sales at football games.

The move to sell alcohol during games was expected to boost revenue, with one fan commenting that the university was "missing out on a lot of money by not doing this sooner." The introduction of alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium followed a similar move during basketball and hockey games at the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena in 2023, which generated over $1.3 million in alcohol sales.

While the availability of alcohol was welcomed by many fans, there were also concerns about the potential impact on the game atmosphere and fan behaviour. Some fans worried about increased rowdiness, while others felt that the presence of alcohol could detract from the experience for students and fans who did not wish to drink. To address these concerns, the University of Wisconsin Police Department increased its on-site presence during games and provided a text line for fans to report any problems.

Fans can buy two drinks at a time

The decision to allow alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium was made by the Wisconsin Athletics department, and it aligns with the policies of many other collegiate athletic venues across the country. The move is expected to boost revenue, with fans now able to purchase drinks from most existing concession stands and dedicated locations around the stadium. The drinks, however, don't come cheap, with cans of Coors Light, Busch Light, Varsity Golden Ale, and Spotted Cow selling for $11.99 each.

While the addition of alcohol sales has been well-received by many fans, there are also concerns about the potential impact on the fan experience and the mix of alcohol with the presence of students and children. To address these concerns, the University of Wisconsin Police Department has increased its on-site presence, and fans can report any problems via a text line. Additionally, workers check IDs for fans that look 40 or younger.

Despite the concerns, the change has been successful in generating additional revenue for the university, with long lines seen at concession stands before kickoff. The revenue generated from alcohol sales will also be used to fund initiatives for student well-being on campus, creating a positive impact beyond the stadium.

Alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium are expected to increase revenue

The expectation for increased revenue is not unfounded, as Wisconsin previously experimented with alcohol sales during basketball and hockey games at the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena in 2023, generating over $1.3 million in revenue. With the expansion of alcohol sales to Camp Randall Stadium and the UW Field House, the university anticipates a similar boost in income.

The decision to sell alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium was not solely driven by revenue expectations. Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin emphasized the balance between offering alcohol and prioritizing public safety. The University of Wisconsin Police Department has increased its on-site presence during events, and fans can report any issues via a designated text line.

The introduction of alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium has received mixed reactions. Some fans welcomed the change, citing the freedom to responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages during games. Others expressed concerns about the potential impact on the game atmosphere, especially with the presence of students and children. Despite the differing opinions, the move towards alcohol sales is expected to contribute significantly to the university's revenue stream.

There are concerns about the impact of alcohol sales on fan behaviour

Alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium in Wisconsin have sparked concerns about the potential impact on fan behaviour. While some fans welcome the change, allowing them to drink responsibly and enhancing the game experience, others worry about how it might affect the atmosphere, especially with children present.

Renee Arnold, a season ticket holder, expressed uncertainty about the impact of alcohol sales on fan behaviour, specifically mentioning her concerns about "rowdiness". She and her husband, Mike, were ambivalent about the change, acknowledging that while having a beer or two sounded appealing, they were unsure how it would affect other fans. This concern is shared by UW-Madison junior Anissa Hernandez, who worries about the mix of alcohol and the presence of children, especially given the reputation of Madison for drinking and partying.

The introduction of alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium is a notable shift from previous policies. Historically, alcohol was limited to fans in suites and club seats, but the expansion to general seating areas is a first for the stadium. This decision aligns with the practices of 16 out of 18 Big Ten schools that allow alcohol sales at football games. However, it marks a departure from the belief that alcohol is unnecessary to enhance the energy and excitement already present at Badger game days.

The decision to sell alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium is driven by multiple factors. One key consideration is the potential for increased revenue, with Wisconsin reporting over $1.3 million in alcohol sales at basketball and hockey games in the previous year. Additionally, there is an expectation that allowing and controlling beer sales within the stadium will help curb the issue of fan intoxication, as fans tend to drink excessively before the game knowing they cannot drink during it. Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin emphasised the balance between offering alcohol as part of the fan experience and prioritising public safety, with the University of Wisconsin Police Department providing an increased on-site presence.

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