Beer Availability At Nebraska Football Games

The University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is one of the few remaining dry venues in the Big Ten Conference, with the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also not selling beer at football games. However, this could change in the future as the University of Nebraska Regents have lifted the ban on alcohol sales at Husker home events, and there is increasing pressure to fall in line with other universities.

The University of Nebraska-Omaha sells beer at all sporting events

The University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) sells beer at all sporting events, including at Baxter Arena, Tal Anderson Field, and Connie Claussen Field. UNO was the previous employer of Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts, who approved the sale of alcohol at these venues.

UNO's example has been used to argue for the sale of beer at Nebraska football games, which does not currently happen. Nebraska is the only Big Ten school that does not sell beer at football games. However, there have been some exceptions, such as the Garth Brooks concert in 2021 and Volleyball Day in 2023, both held at Memorial Stadium.

There are plans to sell alcohol at football games at Memorial Stadium and volleyball matches at the Devaney Center for the 2025 season and beyond, pending approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. The addition of alcohol sales is expected to bring in more revenue and improve the fan experience.

Nebraska is the only Big Ten school that doesn't sell beer at football games

Nebraska's Memorial Stadium remains dry, even as other Big Ten schools have introduced alcohol sales to boost revenue and improve the game-day experience. The University of Minnesota was the first Big Ten school to sell beer during college football games in 2012, and since then, most Big Ten schools have followed suit.

Nebraska officials have considered a $450 million planned renovation of Memorial Stadium, which would have included the infrastructure to allow alcohol sales. However, former Husker Athletic Director Trev Alberts stated that the stadium did not have the point-of-sale or Wi-Fi capabilities to handle it. More recently, Husker Athletics has made improvements to the stadium, including better Wi-Fi and cashless concessions, which could pave the way for alcohol sales in the future.

University of Nebraska administrators have acknowledged that they are becoming an outlier within the Big Ten Conference, and they are considering their options. While there is fan demand for beer sales at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska officials have stated that more modernization and preparation are needed before alcohol sales can become a reality.

The University of Nebraska Regents lifted the ban on alcohol at Husker home events

The University of Nebraska Regents has lifted the ban on alcohol at Husker home events, marking a significant shift in the school's policy. While this decision doesn't mean that beer will be immediately available at NU football games in Memorial Stadium, it is a step towards that possibility. The University President, Ted Carter Jr., emphasized that this process will be a gradual one, stating, "This is very much a crawl, walk, and we're talking years."

The first step in this direction will be the sale of alcohol at the Big Ten wrestling championship in March 2022, for which the regents have already approved alcohol sales. Carter affirmed that any future decisions about bringing alcohol to other athletic events, such as football and basketball, will be made carefully and with the input of the regents. He stated, "We will never bring alcohol to an athletic event without first bringing it before this body." This change aims to create consistency and flexibility within the NU system, as the University of Nebraska Omaha already permits beer at its sporting events.

The decision to lift the ban on alcohol at Husker home events has sparked varying reactions. Regent Rob Schafer supported the change, expressing his belief in treating adults as adults and allowing them to make their own decisions. However, Chris Wagner of Project Extra Mile cautioned that it could lead to enforcement problems and increases in binge drinking, underage drinking, and alcohol-related crashes. Former NU head football coach and athletic director, Tom Osborne, shared similar concerns, worrying about the potential impact on the family-friendly atmosphere of game days.

Despite the differing opinions, the University of Nebraska Regents' decision to lift the ban on alcohol at Husker home events opens the door for future alcohol sales at NU football games. While there are no immediate plans to introduce beer sales at Memorial Stadium, the University is taking a cautious and deliberate approach, considering the logistics, safety, and fan experience before moving forward.

Nebraska fans can buy beer at away games

The University of Nebraska Omaha, former Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts' previous job, serves alcohol at all sporting events.

There is a growing demand from fans for beer, and the University is considering a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium that would include the infrastructure required to allow Husker fans to drink alcohol during games. However, the University President, Ted Carter Jr., has said that it will take time for beer to be sold at NU football games and that it will not happen in the fall of 2022.

Nebraska's volleyball doubleheader and country music concert sold beer

Nebraska is the only Big Ten school that doesn't sell beer at football games. However, in August 2023, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the sale of alcohol for a special event in Memorial Stadium. The event was a volleyball doubleheader and country music concert, featuring a match between Nebraska and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, followed by a performance by country music artist Scotty McCreery.

The event was the second time that regents had approved the sale of alcohol for a special event in Memorial Stadium. The first was for a Garth Brooks concert in 2021, which drew more than 90,000 fans. Beer sales for the volleyball doubleheader and concert were approved by a 6-2 vote, with two regents expressing concern that the event was perceived as family-friendly and alcohol-free.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney and Wayne State College also played an exhibition match before the main event. The event featured beers from three craft brewing companies based in Nebraska: Zipline Brewing Co., Kinkaider Brewing Co., and Empyrean Brewing Co. Zipline's "Dear Old Nebraska Brew" was sold in a commemorative can.

The sale of alcohol at the volleyball doubleheader and concert was part of a gradual relaxation of the ban on alcohol sales at Husker Athletics events since 2021. Beer has also been approved for the Big Ten Wrestling Championships and for a two-year trial period for men's and women's basketball.

While Nebraska does not sell beer at football games, other Big Ten schools have been doing so since 2012, when the University of Minnesota became the first in the conference to do so. The sale of alcohol at football games has been presented as a way to drive revenue and improve the game-day experience for fans.

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