BLOOMINGTON—When IU plays its first home football game of the 2019 season, something new will be on the menu board at concession stands. Indiana is joining Purdue and five other Big Ten schools allowing beer and wine sales at football games.
"We pride ourselves on listening to our fans as we continue to work to enhance the gameday experience at Memorial Stadium, and we believe they will enjoy this new option," said IU Athletic Director Fred Glass. "We have worked closely with our campus leadership throughout the planning stages to put together a thoughtful plan for beer and wine sales. Our main goals with this initiative have been to enhance the gameday experience for our fans and reduce alcohol-related incidents in and around the stadium."
The school points to a study done by an outside consulting firm that shows alcohol-related problems and safety issues are reduced when beer and wine are available for sale.
Bloomington-based Upland Brewery will offer a variety of options, including domestic beer for $7, craft beer for $8 and wine in a can for $9. Sales will be limited to people 21-years-of-age and older and identification will be required.
In a press release from IU, the school says "the pilot alcohol program will include provisions to encourage responsible fan behavior and promote alcohol safety." Beer and wine sales will end at at the conclusion of the third quarter and there will be no sales to people who appear to be drunk.
