Are beer sales in Kyle Field’s future?

For as long as most of us can remember, beer sales at college sporting events have been taboo. The exact reason why is certainly up for debate, but that’s been the commonly held believe for generations. But that stance has softened in recent years, with several major programs taking the dive into in-stadium beer and alcohol sales. The SEC is the only conference that bans alcohol sales for all member schools, but the pressure is mounting for that to change.

As the article above outlines, almost half of all FBS football programs now sell alcohol throughout their stadiums, and not only has it been an obvious revenue stream (Texas had $5 million in alcohol sales in two years), but it’s also been correlated in a decrease in binge-drinking incidents, with fans no longer feeling the need to load up at tailgates and bars before heading into the stadium.

The stigma around alcohol is virtually nonexistent in 2019. Alcohol is already sold in suite and club seating areas of Kyle Field, and in the beer garden type ares at both football and baseball games (where you have to pay to enter and must consume the beer within the confines of the space). You can buy beer at every major professional sporting event. The NCAA now allows alcohol sales at its championship events. Hell, you can buy beer at Disneyland. It’s hard to find a valid argument for continuing to ban alcohol at SEC stadiums, and if that ban goes away A&M needs to jump at the opportunity. It’s an added fan amenity, an added revenue stream, and let’s be honest, the stadium environment isn’t exactly going to suffer if many of-age fans have had few.

I like Texas A&M football, and I like beer. It would be great if I could enjoy them simultaneously. If done the right way, there is very little downside.

I’ll leave you with one final note. When Texas first announced they would sell beer at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp quipped, “Our athletic program has not reached the point where we require the numbing effects of alcohol.” If Sharp being against alcohol sales doesn’t make you 100% for it, I don’t know what will.