Best Beer-Buying Spots For Notre Dame Football Games

If you're heading to a Notre Dame football game and are wondering where you can buy a beer, you might be out of luck. While some sources suggest that alcohol is available to VIP/SUITE guests, others state that alcohol is not sold at the stadium at all. One source mentions that alcohol is available at the club level, where guests can eat and drink as much as they like. However, this option is only available to those with club-level seats. It's important to note that the University of Notre Dame has a clear bag policy and does not allow alcohol or alcohol containers inside the stadium. So, if you're planning on enjoying an alcoholic beverage during the game, you may need to get creative or opt for non-alcoholic drinks available at the concession stands.

Beer is only available to VIP/SUITE guests at Notre Dame Stadium

Historically, the availability of alcohol at college football games has evolved. Over the years, rules have been relaxed, and more universities now allow the sale of alcohol at their sporting events. However, at Notre Dame Stadium, the sale of alcohol is limited to VIP/SUITE guests, and it is not available to general admission attendees.

This decision may be influenced by various factors, including the university's commitment to tradition and safety considerations. As noted in one review, the atmosphere at Notre Dame football games is already friendly and exciting, even without the widespread availability of alcohol. The university prioritises maintaining a family-friendly environment and ensuring the comfort and safety of all attendees.

Additionally, Notre Dame has a rich history and traditions that are important to uphold. The university has traditionally focused on creating a memorable experience through the game itself, the tailgating activities, and the overall atmosphere. While some fans have expressed a desire for a club level or premium seating experience that includes access to beer, the university has not yet made this available to the general public.

It's worth noting that Notre Dame does allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on campus during other events, such as concerts. However, when it comes to football games, the university has chosen to restrict alcohol sales to VIP/SUITE guests only. This decision may be revisited in the future, but for now, beer is only available to a select few at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame Stadium does not sell beer to general admission

Alcohol sales at college football games have become more common in recent years, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol in 2023. However, the Notre Dame Stadium does not sell beer to general admission and has not always served alcohol at all.

While the NCAA and conferences have loosened rules around alcohol sales, the decision to sell alcohol at college football games remains controversial. At Notre Dame, a poll showed that 59% of fans supported the sale of alcohol, while 41% opposed it. Those in favour of alcohol sales cited benefits such as strengthening the home-field advantage and generating additional revenue, while those opposed raised valid concerns about safety and maintaining the tradition of the university.

Despite the debate, Notre Dame Stadium currently only sells alcoholic beverages to VIP and suite guests. General admission guests cannot purchase alcohol during football games, which is consistent with the early 2000s trend of only allowing alcohol sales in premium seating areas.

The lack of beer sales in the general admission section of the stadium has been noted by some fans, who express disappointment in not being able to enjoy a beer while watching the game. However, Notre Dame has a rich history and tradition, and the university prioritises maintaining this atmosphere.

While the university has started to modernise, such as by hosting the first concert at the stadium in October 2018 where alcohol was sold, it seems that general admission guests will not be able to purchase beer at Notre Dame football games for the foreseeable future.

Alcohol sales at college football games are becoming more common

The increase in alcohol sales at college football games is driven by several factors. One factor is the potential to increase revenue and attract more fans to the games. By selling alcohol, schools can bring in additional income and appeal to fans who might otherwise choose to stay home or tailgate before the game.

Another factor contributing to the rise in alcohol sales is the relaxation of rules by the NCAA and conferences. In recent years, there has been a loosening of regulations, allowing universities to make their own decisions about alcohol sales. This has led to a surge in the number of schools opting to sell alcohol, with only a handful of college football stadiums still abstaining.

The University of Wisconsin, for example, has resisted selling alcohol to the general public at football games but has started offering alcoholic beverages at basketball and hockey games. On the other hand, the University of Michigan has been cautious about implementing alcohol sales, choosing to first observe its impact on basketball and hockey games before considering it for football.

Some universities have also recognised the potential benefits of alcohol sales in enhancing the home-field advantage and improving the crowd noise factor. Notre Dame, for instance, has considered adding local craft beer to their concessions, although they currently only serve alcohol to VIP/SUITE guests.

While the trend towards alcohol sales at college football games is growing, there are still some concerns and considerations. Safety and tradition are valid points raised by those who oppose alcohol sales. The University of North Carolina, which is in its fifth season of selling alcohol, has seen a positive impact on its bottom line, but it's important to carefully manage sales and monitor the data to ensure a safe and positive experience for fans.

Beer is not sold at all college football stadiums

However, in recent years, the NCAA and conferences have relaxed their rules, allowing universities to sell alcohol during games. This change has been driven by the desire to increase revenue and attract more fans to the venues. As a result, there has been a boom in alcohol sales at college football games, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol during the 2023 season.

Despite this shift, there are still a handful of college football stadiums that do not sell alcohol, including some with a rich history of tradition, such as Notre Dame Stadium. While Notre Dame does sell alcoholic beverages at home football games, these are restricted to VIP and suite guests. A poll of Notre Dame fans found that 59% supported the sale of alcohol during games, while 41% opposed it, citing safety concerns and the desire to maintain tradition.

The availability of alcohol at college football games remains a controversial topic, with some schools choosing to restrict sales to premium seating areas or suites. Ultimately, the decision to sell alcohol or not is up to each individual university, and there are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the debate.

Beer is available at tailgating events before and after Notre Dame football games

Although beer is not sold within the Notre Dame Stadium, there are still plenty of food and drink options available for fans. Classic concessions like popcorn, bratwursts, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and nachos are fan favourites and can be found at the stadium. Additionally, there are various food options located near the stadium, such as Rocco's, a highly acclaimed pizza joint, and the Crooked Ewe, which serves delicious pulled-pork sandwiches.

The atmosphere at Notre Dame football games is described as friendly and exciting, with fans engaging in tailgating activities before and after the game. While the stadium itself has been criticised for its small and uncomfortable seating, the overall experience of attending a game, including the tailgating and socialising, is enjoyable for many.

It's worth noting that the sale of alcohol at college football games is a controversial topic, with valid concerns raised about safety and maintaining traditions. However, supporters of alcohol sales argue that it strengthens the home-field advantage, generates additional revenue, and is in line with the namesake of the event. Ultimately, the decision to sell alcohol or not rests with the university and its commitment to tradition and fan experience.

So, while you can't buy beer inside the Notre Dame Stadium, you can certainly enjoy a cold one at the tailgating events that take place before and after the game, adding to the excitement and camaraderie of the Notre Dame football experience.

Frequently asked questions