The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday that beer will be sold at Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center beginning this fall, with it also expected to be sold at Illinois Field (baseball) and Eichelberger Field (softball) beginning next year as well. It might even be sold at Illinois Field as soon as this year’s final three home series.
In a press release, Athletic Director Josh Whitman said:
“We are continually looking for ways to improve fan engagement and augment our in-game fan experience. The opportunity to purchase beer at our events was the number one request in a postseason survey of our football ticket holders. Fans indicated beer sales would encourage their use of purchased tickets and would increase the length of time they stayed in the stands. Schools with public beer sales generally see fewer alcohol-related issues. We have spoken with several peer institutions offering beer to ensure we are following best practices for implementing this change. We have studied the issue extensively and, with the collaboration and support of our colleagues in various offices across campus, we feel now is the right time to add this new element to our game-day experience.”
According to the press release, here’s how much it might cost:
- Domestics: $7
- Premium/craft beers: $8
- Baseball and softball prices will range from $5-6
Only two beers will be allowed per valid ID
