Beer And Football: Ohio State's Game-Day Drinking Policy

Alcohol sales at college football games have become increasingly common in recent years. While it was once rare to find alcohol for sale at college football stadiums, with only premium seating areas or suites offering alcoholic beverages, now 88% of FBS schools sell alcohol during games. Ohio State University is one of the schools that allow alcohol sales, with a limit of two beers per person per transaction before the end of halftime. The University of Iowa recently joined Ohio State and seven other Big Ten schools in selling beer and wine at football games, making it the eighth Big Ten football stadium to do so. This trend towards alcohol sales at college football games has sparked mixed reactions, with some touting the enhanced fan experience and increased revenue, while others express concern over binge drinking and related health and liability issues.

Ohio State University allows fans to buy two beers per person before halftime

The Ohio State University allows fans to buy two beers per person before halftime. This policy is part of a growing trend among colleges in the United States to allow the sale of alcohol during football games. In recent years, the NCAA and conferences have loosened rules, allowing universities to sell alcohol, and many athletic departments have made the jump to allow anyone in attendance to buy a drink.

Ohio State's policy is similar to those at other universities, such as Boston College, the University of Louisville, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Pittsburgh, which also limit the number of drinks per purchase or place restrictions on when alcohol can be sold during a game. The University of Iowa, another Big Ten school, recently joined the list of universities selling alcohol during football games, making it the eighth Big Ten football stadium to do so.

The decision to sell alcohol during college football games is often based on enhancing the fan experience and providing an additional amenity. In the case of Ohio State, the university also discovered that stadium incidents decreased after they started selling alcohol stadium-wide. However, there has been a slight uptick in alcohol-related incidents overall since the university started selling alcohol at games, which is a concern for some.

Despite the potential concerns, the sale of alcohol during college football games is becoming increasingly common, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol during the 2023 season. This trend is likely to continue, as colleges seek to improve the fan experience and boost revenue.

Alcohol sales at college football games have increased in recent years

Alcohol sales at college football games have been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, a significant 88% of FBS schools, or 117 out of 133, sold alcohol during their games, a notable increase from just a few years ago. This shift can be attributed to the NCAA and conferences loosening rules and allowing universities to make their own decisions regarding alcohol sales.

Ohio State University is one of the institutions that has been selling alcohol during football games. In fact, they have been an example for other universities to follow. Initially, Ohio State offered alcohol only to those in premium seating areas, but they eventually expanded sales to the entire stadium. This change led to a temporary decrease in stadium incidents, but over time, alcohol-related incidents have been on a slight uptick. Despite this, Ohio State has generated millions in revenue from alcohol sales, highlighting the financial incentive for universities to sell alcohol.

The University of Iowa is the latest Big Ten university to join the trend, announcing in 2024 that they would sell beer and wine at Kinnick Stadium for the upcoming season. This decision aligns with the growing number of Big Ten schools opting to sell alcohol during football games, with Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Minnesota already doing so.

While the sale of alcohol at college football games can boost revenue for universities, there are concerns about the potential impact on student safety and health. Binge drinking is already a severe problem on college campuses, and providing additional avenues for alcohol consumption during games may exacerbate this issue. However, some universities have reported a decrease in alcohol-related incidents after implementing alcohol sales, possibly due to reduced alcohol consumption at tailgate parties and controlled access to alcohol inside the stadium.

As the trend of alcohol sales at college football games continues to grow, universities must carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks. While increased revenue is enticing, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and fans must remain a top priority.

The University of Iowa is the latest Big Ten school to sell alcohol during football games

The University of Iowa has become the latest Big Ten school to sell alcohol during football games, joining the ranks of Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Minnesota. The Iowa Athletic Department made the decision to sell beer and wine at Kinnick Stadium and other sports venues for the upcoming season. This move is intended to enhance the fan experience and provide an additional amenity, as well as potentially increase revenue. It is worth noting that this is a pilot program, and there are no commitments for alcohol sales beyond 2021.

This development raises questions about the sale of alcohol at college football games and the impact it may have. Binge drinking is a significant issue on college campuses, and providing alcohol at games may be seen as contributing to this problem. However, some argue that allowing alcohol sales in stadiums can help reduce binge drinking before and illegal alcohol consumption inside the stadium.

Ohio State, for instance, first offered alcohol only to those of a certain status before making it available to all attendees. They found that incidents inside the stadium decreased in the short term. However, there has been a slight uptick in alcohol-related incidents overall since the sales began. Despite this, Ohio State has made millions from alcohol sales, and it has become an essential part of their bottom line.

The University of Georgia is also piloting a program to sell alcohol, but only in a specific area of the stadium called the "club level," which offers "premium seating" and has controlled access. To purchase alcohol, one must donate $25,000, which grants access to the "Gas-Station-Brand-Wine-and-Tepid-Natty-Light Club."

The sale of alcohol during college football games is a complex issue, involving considerations of revenue, fan experience, and health and liability concerns. While some schools have embraced it, others remain cautious or opposed, navigating the potential benefits and drawbacks.

The University of Georgia will sell beer and wine, but only in a specific area

The University of Georgia's decision to sell alcohol at football games is not an isolated case. Many other universities have opted to do the same, including Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Purdue, Rutgers, and Minnesota. In fact, approximately half of the Power 5 conference schools sold alcohol at their home football games in 2021.

The decision to sell alcohol during football games is often driven by a desire to enhance the fan experience and provide an additional amenity. However, there are also concerns about binge drinking and alcohol-related incidents, especially on college campuses.

Alcohol-related incidents have been on an uptick since Ohio State started selling alcohol

The increase in alcohol-related incidents may be attributed to several factors, including the availability of alcohol to a wider range of fans and the university's no-bag policy, which may have encouraged fans to consume more alcohol. Additionally, the presence of plainclothes officers from the Ohio Investigative Unit in the stadium may have contributed to the increase in arrests. It is important to note that the number of incidents is still well below the total number of incidents from years before alcohol was available stadium-wide.

In 2017, Ohio State recorded a total of 39 arrests in the stadium, with 21 of those occurring in the first two home games. This is an increase from the 22 arrests recorded in 2016. The total number of incidents, including arrests, citations, and ejections, also rose from 61 in 2016 to 87 in 2017. Alcohol-related arrests outside the stadium nearly doubled, going from five to 10, while other arrests outside the stadium increased from one to seven.

While the sale of alcohol during football games has led to increased revenue for Ohio State, it has also resulted in a slight uptick in alcohol-related incidents. This presents a challenge for the university in balancing the economic benefits with the social responsibility of promoting responsible drinking and ensuring the safety of fans. It remains to be seen whether Ohio State will make any adjustments to their alcohol sales policy in response to the increase in incidents.

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