Michigan announces it will begin selling alcohol at football games

Michigan will begin to sell alcohol at football games, the university announced on Thursday. After going through testing at the school’s hockey and basketball arena, the Board of Regents determined the football stadium was ready for the addition.

Fans can now enjoy a beverage while watching the Wolverines, beginning with the season opener against Fresno State.

“The University of Michigan Athletics Department will implement alcohol sales at Michigan Stadium beginning with the 2023 football season after carefully reviewing previous alcohol sale rollouts and fan experiences at Yost Ice Arena and Crisler Center,” a statement said.

“The Board of Regents voted May 16 to implement a Class C liquor license to the ‘Big House,’ starting Aug. 31 with a home football game against Fresno State.”

Alcohol sales are not completely new to Michigan, as mentioned in the statement. Fans could buy drinks while attending hockey games plus men’s and women’s basketball events. Those were used as test runs before bringing the practice to football games.

Meeting with different departments on campus, there was a determination that no serious issues have been caused due to the sale of alcohol.

“Part of the implementation process included the athletic department collaborating and regularly meeting with campus partners — including the Office of Student Life, Division of Public Safety and Security, Risk Management and Government Relations — to ensure a safe and responsible rollout of alcohol sales at Crisler and Yost, which began in February.

“There have been no reported behavioral issues related to drunken behavior or medical responses related to alcohol at either venue since the implementation.”

Some good games are set to take place at Michigan this season, with the Week 2 matchup against Texas arguably being the most high-profile nonconference matchup of the year. USC will be in Ann Arbor just two weeks later in what is now a Big Ten contest.

Oregon is another new conference foe Michigan fans will be getting familiar with, coming to the Big House on Nov. 2. And then one the Wolverines know all too well, the Michigan State Spartans, will also take place in Ann Arbor.

Opposing fans might like the implementation of alcohol sales just as much as the home crowd. Being the reigning national champions will only add to the excitement around the stadium on a weekly basis, wanting to defend the crowd. Somehow, we might get to experience an even louder 107,601 people.