Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering allowing alcohol on football terraces.
- A University of Minnesota study found 40% of fans had measurable alcohol levels after games.
- 8% of fans in the study were legally drunk (BAC of .08 or greater).
- Fans who attended tailgating parties were 14 times more likely to leave games drunk.
- A separate study found 90% of college football tailgaters consumed alcohol.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly considering allowing football fans to consume alcohol on terraces again, a move that could signal a shift in attitudes towards fandom and alcohol consumption at sporting events. Research indicates that drinking is common among sports attendees, with a University of Minnesota study finding that 40% of fans leaving professional games had measurable alcohol levels, and 8% were legally drunk. The study also noted that Monday Night Football attendees, younger fans (35 and under), and those who participated in pre-game tailgating were more likely to be drunk. A separate study on college football tailgaters found that 90% consumed alcohol, with an average BAC of 0.06. On average, fans consume 3.7 alcoholic drinks during a sporting event, and nearly a third report pregaming with three or more drinks before a game. The Cincinnati Bengals' fans reported the highest average consumption at 5.2 drinks per game.