Alcohol Sales at All Nebraska Athletic Events Approved by Board of Regents
KEARNEY–(KFOR Oct. 4)–Alcohol sales at all Husker athletic events are a go.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Friday voted 7-1 to approve of allowing the sale of alcohol at Nebraska sporting events, starting in the fall of 2025. This will mark the first time you can have a beer to watch a football game at Memorial Stadium or a volleyball match at the Devaney Sports Center.
Alcohol sales were previously approved by the Board of Regents at Husker men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball games. The first such move came in 2022, when the Big Ten Wrestling Tournament was held at Pinnacle Bank Arena. However, Nebraska has been the only Big Ten school not to sell alcohol at football games.
According to NU President Dr. Jeffrey Gold, part of the revenue from alcohol sales will go toward alcohol safety programs on campus, to educate students about the dangers of binge drinking.
Lincoln Regent Tim Clare on Friday said he’s fully confident in Athletic Director Troy Dannen and his staff in developing a safety plan for fans on game days. That would include how to handle fans that get out of hand drinking.
“Part of that safety plan, I’m sure, is going to be if we have some of these difficulties, those fans will also lose their privileges,” Clare said.
Clare also mentioned there have not been any issues since alcohol sales have taken place at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The only opposing vote came from Beaver City Regent Kathy Wilmot, who said they are overlooking the fact these athletic events have been family friendly.
“I trust you guys to do your best,” Wilmot old athletic officials. “But I want to see those safety measures that are in place, again, because more heads together are better than one.”
Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said the University is “committed to providing a first-class game-day experience” at all of Nebraska’s athletic venues.