For many of us, it’s hard to imagine a time when you could relax with a pint and enjoy the football from the stands. Instead, you’re greeted with a packed concourse at half time, queues longer than you see at a theme park, which leaves you with less than five minutes to finish your drink and sit back down for the second half.
The ban on alcohol consumption in football stands was introduced in 1985 under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act, to try and combat football hooliganism, which was rife at the time. No alcohol could be consumed within view of the playing area.
The ban extends across the UK, covering the top five tiers of the English men’s football league system, and was also adopted during the rapid rise of the women’s game.
However, a recent development has seen a trial launched at select Women’s Championship clubs, allowing fans to watch the match with a pint in hand.
The trial, which began in January, has involved Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, Bristol City at Ashton Gate, Newcastle United at Kingston Park, and Southampton at St Mary’s.
The trial aims to assess whether allowing fans to consume alcohol within view of the pitch enhances the matchday experience, while still upholding standards of safety and personal responsibility.
Bristol City and Southampton were the first to trial this in their fixtures against London City Lionesses and Sunderland respectively on the 19th of January. The following week, Birmingham implemented the trial during their fixture against Bristol City, while Newcastle did the same in their match against Portsmouth on January 26th.
The success of the trial will be evaluated through feedback from fans, clubs, stewards, and law enforcement, alongside analysis of crowd behaviour, incidents of disorder, and data on alcohol sales during the matches.
The final two game weeks of the season mark the conclusion of the four or five matches that will help determine whether the ban on alcohol consumption in the stands can be lifted in the women’s game.
While it is not yet confirmed that drinking in the stands will become a permanent feature of matchdays, overall feedback from fans and clubs has been positive, which bodes well for the future of the matchday experience.
