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Fans make feelings known as Andy Burnham ‘considers scrapping football stadium booze ban’

Fans make their feelings known as the new PM Andy Burnham reportedly considers scrapping the football stadium booze ban.

Three weeks ago, he posted a video at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, watching Leigh Leopards defeat Warrington Wolves, holding pints of beer.

Burnham said: “I’ve only got one question, though, about this day today.

“How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can’t do that at an Everton home game?

“Something wrong there. I think we need to look at that.”

Burnham is now looking at potentially scrapping the ban, as per the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, prohibiting drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales. It is allowed at rugby, cricket and other sporting events.

When asked about the position at the beginning of July 2026, Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said, as per the Independent: “Police chiefs have warned against the relaxing of the rules of drinking in the stands and we think that’s sensible to follow.

“But fans who go to matches in the football league can drink before the game in the concourse during half time, they can stay late after the match or head to the pub, so there’s plenty of chances to get a drink.

“But as I say, we think it’s sensible to follow police advice.”

Since Burnham has taken over from Keir, a government spokesperson said, as per The Sun: “We are considering the case being made by some clubs and supporter groups for reviewing the current restrictions on alcohol consumption at football matches.

“The safety of football fans remains our priority, and any future consideration of changes would need to be evidence-led and informed by the views of policing and safety authorities, as well as clubs, supporters and other partners across the football sector.”

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony spoke on talkSPORT: “Music to my ears as an owner. Do you know how much money we lose not being able to sell alcohol and sell food…

Alex Crook: “Because nobody comes to the ground until 10 minutes before kickoff the local around the corner.”

Darragh MacAnthony: “We would probably add I don’t know as typical club in league probably had an extra half million in income a year from being able to do it.

“We have boxes behind you know one of our stands and even the people in the boxes have to close the curtains if they’re drinking alcohol.

“That’s how stupid and outdated this is. So it’s draconian and you’re absolutely right.

“We are paying the price for idiots from 30 years ago and the stuff they did and yes there were tragedies and all those things that happened but when you see other sports as you just said about Burnham watching a rugby league game probably a women’s football game you probably be able to have a, I don’t know, you know, but the reality is at what stage do we evolve and move into the 21st century properly.

“And yes football still as hooligans and wrong’uns and idiots and all of that. That’s down to us, the stewards, the the the police to basically shepherd that out of the game because it’s becoming more and more a family game and that’s really important.”

Alex Crook: “Yeah, absolutely. And the rule of course is being relaxed this season with all WSL clubs allowed to offer alcohol to supporters in the stands.”

Darragh: “Good!”

Alex Crook: “That’s after a two-year trial and yeah, I’m all for it”

Fans make their feelings known as Andy Burnham ‘considers scrapping football stadium booze ban’

@HLTCO: Being able to drink in the stand is not something that bothers me at all. In theory, I understand giving people the choice but you know the same types who launch their beers in the air at Boxpark would do the same for a consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat and piss everyone off.

@djstormo: Stupid idea people will be launching beer in the air when they score

@ignorantfool3: Big mistake I think and I love a few before and after a Match if you can’t go 45 mins without a pint you’ve got issues then you’ve got the idiots on coke chucking pints when a goal goes in No Thanks

@mikey_747: Literally no match going fans want this

@Yvonnehall47751: Surely this will not do much for the pubs located beside football stadiums that he is trying to help with the reduction of business rates. Many of these new policies need to be considered as a bigger picture. Only so many customers so where will they be encouraged to drink ?

@ShaneStaffs83: I do and don’t want this. The don’t is the easy part – just look at any fan park video from the WC 🙄 The do, after experiencing some German football earlier this year where you can drink in the stands, it really did enhance the experience and that social aspect of it too.

@ollie_walker: No thanks. Don’t want to be sat drenched in January because of performative pint throwing

@benji_harper17:
1. Why?
2. Pint throwing freaks gunna be everywhere now
3. If you can’t wait till half time for a beer then you’ve got a problem

@JonesyyyMUFC: No one who goes the footy regularly, drinker or not wants this.

@NFFC_Callum: Please don’t , really don’t fancy having pints all over me it’s boring and not even good “limbs”

@CR2SE25: Please no. It was class at Leipzig cos it was a final in the sun and all that but can anyone be arsed with gimps lobbing pints in the height of January after we score a first half penalty to make it 1-1

@UpTheVillaLad: Not for me… i don’t mind a couple in the boozer/ warehouse/ ground before the game but I don’t need a beer at my seat! .. and yeah, call me old fashioned but I don’t fancy having beer all over my clothes, hair, face etc 😫

@jackoefc27: Drinking at your seat is just gunna create more day trippers to think it funny to throw ale over people when a goal goes in, on the back of this will be more football bans for people

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