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Football stadium alcohol ban to be lifted in pilot

Getty Images A pint of beer in a plastic cup sitting on a wall. A person can be seen sitting in the background.Getty Images
Alcohol has been banned at Scottish football games for more than 40 years

Scottish football fans will see a ban on alcohol lifted at two upcoming games under a pilot scheme.

Ayr United said a maximum of 66 supporters would be allowed to have up to five pints of beer each at Somerset Park.

Alcohol has been banned in Scottish football stadiums since 1981 and the Scottish government previously said it had "no plans" to lift the ban.

The South Ayrshire club has been granted an alcohol licence for two home Premier Sports Cup games - against Arbroath on 19 July, and Forfar on 22 July.

SNS A general view of a stand at Somerset Park. Hundreds of fans are tightly packed into a stand covered in advertising hoardings. There are some players and match officials in the foreground on the pitch. SNS
A limited number of home fans will be allowed to drink beer at two games at Somerset Park

A pop-up bar will be set up for a limited number of fans in the disability section of the Main Stand.

For a ticket costing £35, they will be able to have up to four pints of beer before the match and a further pint during half-time.

The supporters will not be able to view the pitch while in the pop-up bar, which is also not open to under-18s.

A spokesperson for Ayr United said: "We hope this initiative will add to the enjoyment of the matchday experience for supporters."

The club added: "It is hoped that these events will provide the SPFL and local stakeholders with comfort in the club's ability to sell alcohol safely within the stadium."

It was revealed in March that the Scottish government and Police Scotland would consider allowing pilot projects lifting the alcohol ban in stadiums.

Some fans have long campaigned for a change in policy, arguing that the alcohol ban in football is unfair as rugby fans are allowed to drink alcohol at games at Murrayfield and Hampden.

First Minister John Swinney previously said he was "not sympathetic" to lifting the ban, telling reporters: "We've got a set of arrangements in place just now that work."