UA to expand alcohol sales at football games
FAYETTEVILLE — Razorback fans will have another reason to enjoy Arkansas football games as beer and wine will now be available in public areas of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium starting with the 2019 season, the university announced Thursday.
Alcoholic beverages have been available since 2014 in suites and private club areas, but the program will be expanded to create availability within designated public areas in and around the stadium.
In late May, the Southeastern Conference reversed its policy restricting alcohol sales in public areas of sporting venues, giving each of the member universities the option to choose whether
or not to sell alcohol at home stadiums.
“By expanding our established alcoholic beverages program to include the sale of beer and wine in public areas of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, we are building on an already successful model while furthering the fan experience in a responsible way,” Razorbacks athletic director Hunter Yurachek said in a news release. “Working in coordination with campus officials and within established guidelines adopted by the SEC, we will now be able to offer this gameday amenity as an option to fans while working to further educate University of Arkansas students and the general public about safe and responsible consumption.
“We are implementing a number of corresponding initiatives aimed at preventing underage consumption and promoting responsible choices, including a ‘We ID Program,’ and a designated driver and rideshare program. In many cases at other power 5 conference institutions, alcohol-related incidents at events have decreased following the introduction of a formal alcohol sales and educational program. As with other gameday options, we realize individuals will ultimately make their own choices on whether to utilize these expanded opportunities. Our focus will be continuing to work with campus officials, UAPD, the SEC and others to ensure that fans of all ages can enjoy their gameday experience.”
War Memorial Stadium will also see an expanded alcohol sales program fro Razorbacks football games, but no decisions have been made regarding Bud Walton Arena and Baum-Walker Stadium.
In keeping with the SEC guidelines, beer and wine will only be sold and dispensed at designated locations, not by vendors in seating areas, through the end of the third quarter, and a limit of two servings per person will be allowed in each transaction.
Alcohol will not be allowed in the student seating area, and kiosks will not be allowed in the section’s immediate proximity. A portion of the proceeds will be designated for the university’s student affairs department for alcohol-related education for students.
“We have confidence in the many mechanisms being put in place to ensure that sales are limited to those 21 years or older as well as supporting responsible consumption for those who are allowed to purchase beer and wine,” Dean of Students Melissa Harwood-Rom said. “We begin educating our students about the effects of alcohol and how to act or intervene in alcohol-related situations from the time they first arrive on campus, so the proceeds from sales designated to support our educational efforts will be put to good use.”
Concessions staff will be trained to identify public intoxication in order to refuse service to impaired individuals, and security personnel can eject or arrest intoxicated fans of those sharing alcoholic beverages with minors.