The SEC’s spring meetings from Destin have concluded and the biggest news to come from the event doesn’t involve any of the football teams specifically. The biggest news is all about booze.

For the first time in league history, the SEC is going to allow schools to decide if they want to sell alcohol in its stadiums. The rule goes into effect on Aug. 1. This news was first reported by Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated and has been officially announced by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

It should be noted that SEC schools will not be forced to sell alcohol. Schools can decide to delay or outright prohibit the sale of alcohol at their stadiums.

Following this ruling, alcohol sales may not be coming to every SEC stadium, but several schools have already taken steps to sell for the coming season and now will be given the opportunity to do just that. LSU, Georgia and Tennessee are among the schools expected to allow alcohol sales next season.

The schools that chose to sell alcohol will be must “establish policies governing the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages consistent with requirements established and agreed to by the Conference membership” the SEC has stated in a release.

Here are some of the guidelines the SEC has adopted when it comes to alcohol sales:

  • Alcoholic beverages are to be sold and dispensed only at designated stationary locations
  • Alcoholic beverages may not be sold by vendors within the seating areas
  • Identification check is required at every point of sale to prevent sales to minors
  • Alcoholic beverage sales are limited to beer and wine only (no hard liquor or mixed drinks may be sold in public seating areas)
  • Limits must be established on the number of drinks purchased at one time by an individual
  • Alcohol must be dispensed into cups
  • Safe server training and additional training for staff to handle high risk situations is required
  • Designated stop times for sale and/or distribution of alcohol must be enforced as follows:

o   Football (end of 3rd quarter);

o   Basketball (Men’s—Second half 12-minute TV timeout; Women’s—End of 3rd quarter);

o   Baseball (end of the top of 7th inning);

o   Softball (end of the top of the 5th inning); and

o   Other Sports (At a designated time, no later than when 75% of the event’s regulation length competition is scheduled to be completed).