Buying Beer At Ou Stadium: What's The Deal?

Beer and sports have a long history, and while it was rare over ten years ago to find alcohol being sold at a college football stadium, today, the NCAA and conferences have loosened rules, allowing universities to sell alcohol. Now, there are only a handful of college football stadiums that don't serve alcohol. When it comes to NFL stadiums, beer is widely available, but prices can vary significantly, with the average price of a 16-oz beer at $10.75. As for the OU stadium, it is not clear whether beer is sold there.

Beer availability at college baseball stadiums

For example, the University of Notre Dame Stadium has refused to sell alcohol at its concessions, despite looking to increase revenue in a post-pandemic landscape of collegiate athletics. The university cites tradition and history as its reasons for upholding the ban on alcohol sales. Similarly, the University of Michigan's Michigan Stadium only recently began selling alcohol, with the 2024 football season, after careful consideration and review of previous alcohol-sale rollouts at other venues. The decision sparked controversy among alumni, with some expressing disappointment and concern for safety, especially with the presence of young fans.

On the other hand, colleges like Stanford University and Texas A&M University have embraced the sale of beer and wine at their stadiums. Stanford's Maples Pavilion Concessions offers a variety of fan favourites, including beer and wine, with multiple payment options available. Meanwhile, Texas A&M's Kyle Field has expanded the availability of beer and wine to the general public, complying with the Southeastern Conference's updated policy. They have implemented several restrictions to ensure responsible drinking, such as ID checks and a limit of two alcoholic beverages per transaction.

The debate surrounding the sale of alcohol at college baseball stadiums continues, with institutions weighing the potential financial benefits against concerns for student safety and maintaining a traditional, family-friendly environment. While some colleges opt for the financial gains and improved attendance that alcohol sales can bring, others choose to uphold their values and traditions by refraining from selling alcohol during games. Ultimately, each college must make a decision that aligns with its unique priorities and values.

Alcohol policies at Notre Dame Stadium

The University of Notre Dame has a strict no-alcohol policy for its sporting events, including football games at Notre Dame Stadium. The possession or consumption of alcohol or alcohol containers in the stadium is expressly prohibited. This policy extends to the central part of the campus, where alcohol and tailgating are prohibited.

The university's decision to ban alcohol sales at its sporting events is notable, especially when considering that other universities have started to allow alcohol sales at their stadiums. The Notre Dame Stadium has never sold alcohol at its concessions, even as it looks to increase margins in a post-pandemic landscape of collegiate athletics. The university has cited tradition and history as reasons for upholding the ban, which has sparked debates among fans and administrators.

Some argue that the university should prioritise its commitment to safety and liability mitigation, especially considering that most students are underage. Additionally, the sale of alcohol at football games could encourage excessive drinking and unruly behaviour. On the other hand, proponents of lifting the ban point out that other universities have seen a decrease in drunkenness and incidents within stadiums after allowing alcohol sales. They also argue that alcohol sales could boost attendance and concession sales, as fans may be more inclined to enter the stadium if they can purchase alcohol inside.

Despite the ongoing debate, the University of Notre Dame maintains its alcohol ban for sporting events, including those held at the Notre Dame Stadium. However, alcohol is served to premium ticket holders in club-level seats, which include as much food and drink as desired.

Beer sales at NFL stadiums

Beer sales are a common feature of the NFL stadium experience, with prices varying depending on the stadium and location. According to a 2022 study, the average price for a beer at an NFL stadium was $9.25, but this can differ significantly, with some stadiums charging as low as $5 and others up to $15 for a 16-ounce pour. For example, in the 2023 season, a beer cost 96 cents per ounce at the Philadelphia Eagles, while fans at Miami Dolphins games paid only 42 cents per ounce.

Beer prices at NFL stadiums can add up quickly, especially when combined with ticket prices and game-day snacks. At the start of the 2022 football season, the sports betting platform Bookies.com compiled a list of beer prices by stadium location. They found that prices ranged from $6 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, to $13.75 at the SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

The price of beer at NFL stadiums is subject to change, so it is always a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information before attending a game.

Alcohol sales at college football games

The decision to sell alcohol at college football games is often driven by the desire to increase revenue and attract more fans. The University of North Carolina, for example, has seen a boost in its bottom line with about $4 million in alcohol sales during its fifth season of selling alcohol. However, some schools are hesitant to implement alcohol sales, citing concerns about maintaining a unique collegiate atmosphere and potential safety issues. The University of Michigan, for instance, has opted to wait and see how alcohol sales go at basketball and hockey games before making a decision about football games.

The University of Notre Dame is another example of a school that restricts alcohol sales at its football stadium, primarily to mitigate liability due to the presence of underage students. However, alcohol is available in club-level seats, which include as much as one wants to eat or drink, including beer, wine, and champagne.

While the sale of alcohol at college football games has become more widespread, there are still some states and schools that do not allow it. Utah, for instance, has strict liquor laws, and no FBS teams in the state can sell alcohol in football stadiums. Additionally, some schools, like the University of Wisconsin, choose not to sell alcohol to the general public at football games but do so at other sporting events.

The impact of in-stadium alcohol sales on alcohol-related emergency department visits and local emergency medical services calls has been studied. Researchers at the University of Iowa found that in-stadium alcohol sales had no significant impact on the frequency or proportion of alcohol-related emergency department visits. They hypothesized that fans may drink less at tailgate parties knowing they could consume more once the game started, or that long lines and beverage limits at stadium concessions may have prevented excessive consumption.

Drinking culture at sporting events

Drinking at sporting events is a common occurrence, with a culture of alcohol consumption often surrounding sports games. This culture varies depending on the country, sport, and level of competition. While drinking at professional sporting events is typically more accepted, there are also instances of alcohol consumption at youth and amateur sports games.

In the United States, the sale of alcohol at college football games has become more prevalent in recent years. Previously, it was rare to find alcohol being sold at college football stadiums, and those that did allowed alcohol sales only in premium seating areas. However, rules have been loosened, and now a majority of FBS schools sell alcohol during games. This change has led to a boom in alcohol sales, with the biggest jump occurring in 2019.

At the professional level, drinking at sporting events is also common, with many fans choosing to tailgate before the game and continue drinking inside the stadium. A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that 48% of fans drink at sporting events, and of those who tailgate, 82% consume two or more drinks. This culture of drinking at sporting events can have both positive and negative effects, with some fans enjoying the social aspect of drinking with fellow fans, while others may experience negative consequences such as impaired driving or aggressive behaviour.

In other countries, the culture around drinking at sporting events may differ. For example, in Sweden, drinking at children's sporting events is generally frowned upon, and it is considered "trashy" to consume alcohol openly. However, in other countries, such as Austria and Norway, it is not uncommon for alcohol to be served at youth sports games.

Overall, the drinking culture at sporting events varies widely and is influenced by social norms, local laws, and the type of event. While some fans enjoy the social aspect of drinking at games, it is important to promote responsible drinking and provide alternatives for those who choose not to consume alcohol.

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