The long-standing ban on alcohol sales at Scottish football grounds could be edging closer to change, with Police Scotland now open to discussions about trialling sales inside stadiums.
The restriction, which has been in place since 1980 following violent incidents, has been a point of debate for years. Many argue that football fans should be afforded the same privileges as those attending rugby matches or concerts, where alcohol is freely available.
Last year, SNP MSP George Adam voiced his support for revisiting the ban, and now The Herald has reported that Police Scotland is considering “a limited number of pilot projects” to test controlled alcohol sales in stadium concourses.
However, a government briefing paper maintains that there are “no plans at this time to remove the existing general restrictions on alcohol at football matches in Scotland”, though they do “recognise the calls for football fans to have the same opportunities as fans at other sports and events”. Discussions will continue with clubs, supporters’ groups, and football authorities to assess potential changes.
If the law is amended, a model similar to England’s could be introduced, where fans are allowed to drink in concourses but cannot take alcohol to their seats. Drinks would also be served in plastic containers to prevent any potential crowd trouble.
For now, the ban remains in place, but the fact that Police Scotland is willing to engage in discussions marks a significant shift. Whether these trial runs materialise—and how clubs, fans, and authorities respond—could determine whether this decades-old restriction is finally lifted.
