Beer Map shows list of college stadiums selling alcohol

Most colleges do not sell beer at football games. But the number of schools that do is growing.

According to vinepair.com, 34 college football stadiums sell beer during games.

The Southeastern Conference does not permit alcohol sales in its stadiums. However, 17 of the 34 schools that do sell beer at football games are located in a state with an SEC school. Six schools in the state of Texas – Texas, Houston, SMU, UTEP, Texas-San Antonio and North Texas – sell beer at games.

Seven Power Five conference schools – Big 12 members Texas and West Virginia, Big Ten members Minnesota and Maryland and ACC members Syracuse, Miami and Louisville – sell beer at their games. Maryland began selling beer this year, and will decide after the season whether or not to continue doing it.

A number of other college stadiums, including Virginia Tech and Ohio State, offer alcohol in luxury suites and/or club suites, but not in other parts of the stadium.

Eleven of the 34 schools play in off-campus stadiums that are not owned by the colleges. San Diego State, Miami and Georgia State share their off-campus stadiums with NFL teams. At most of those stadiums, the university receives little, if any, money from beer sales.

Many schools refuse to sell alcohol at games and on university premises because so many college students are under the age of 21. Schools must adhere to standard laws regarding alcohol sales. No one under the age of 21 may purchase beer at a college football game.

The number of schools selling alcohol at games has more than doubled over the past six years. Many of the colleges that do sell beer at games see it as a good revenue source for their schools and/or athletic departments. In September, West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons told the New York Times, “approximately $500,000 a year just in beer comes back to us.” Last year, College Sports Solutions president Jeff Schemmel told ESPN, “every institution is looking at how they can increase revenue streams, and alcohol is one of those … Everything is on the table.”

Last year, Troy athletic director John Hartwell told ESPN that beer would account for an estimated $200,000 in revenue for the school. Through its concessions contract with Sodexo, Troy receives 43 percent of gross beer sales at its 30,000-seat stadium, more than $2 for every $5 beer.

The NCAA does not allow alcohol to be sold to the general public at its championship events.