Testing the consumption of alcohol in the stands to be experimented at selected football matches in England

Football fans will now have the opportunity to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the stands during matches at two second-tier women's clubs in England, as part of an exciting new trial.

In English men’s football, supporters are banned from consuming alcohol in the stands from the Premier League down to to the fifth-tier National League.

The ban has been in place for 39 years – and while government legislation initially only applied to men’s football – the rule was since adopted in the women’s game.

Currently, football fans cannot drink alcohol in the stands for matches in the top-flight Women’s Super League (WSL) and second-tier Women’s Championship.

But that could all be set to change amid a new trial. Here’s everything you need to know…

Why are English football fans banned from drinking alcohol in the stands?

The drinking of alcohol in the stands of English football grounds and stadium areas with views of the pitch was banned in order to curb hooliganism in 1985.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act was passed by a Margaret Thatcher-led Conservative government, which made it a criminal offence to:

Be drunk at a football groundDrink alcohol within view of the pitch from 15 minutes before the start of the match to 15 minutes after the end of the matchDrink alcohol on certain coaches, trains and motor vehicles travelling to a football matchDoes the same rule apply in Europe?

It depends on the country – but generally – the rules are a lot more relaxed in other European nations, who haven’t had the same hooliganism problems.

In Germany and Italy, for example, football fans are very much allowed to drink alcohol in the stands during matches.

When is the trial starting, why is it happening now and which clubs are taking part?

The head of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), Nikki Doucet, says the trial will take place during the current 2024-25 Women’s Championship season.

The WPLL became independent from the Football Association (FA) in August – taking charge of the top two tiers of women’s football in England – and Doucet has highlighted differences between fans of men’s football and women’s football.

‘We are testing [the trial at] a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we will see what we will learn from that,’ Doucet said.

‘I think the behaviour of our fan base [in women’s football] is different. It is about giving our fans choices while maintaining safety and being responsible.’

It should be noted that no decision has yet been made on which two clubs will undertake the trials.

Can you drink in the stands of other sports?

Yes. You can consume alcohol in the stands of many other sports in the UK. For example, the drinking ban does not apply to tennis, rugby or cricket.

What have fans said about the new trial?

Supporters have mostly welcomed the trial and feel it could be a big boost for women’s football.

One fan, @rmvsch posted on Instagram that it was a ‘good way’ to get more people watching women’s matches. A second fan, @iconic.vomit said the trial was ‘marketing at its finest’ and could encourage more men to attend matches.

Another fan, @HelsBels2102, agreed with Doucet’s view that the crowds in men’s football and women’s football are mostly different and is ‘chuffed’ about the trial.

‘I would be chuffed if this happens,’ the user posted on Reddit. ‘I don’t get [drunk], but I love a couple of beers at the football. It just hits right. And saves you downing your pint before and at half time which just makes your more [drunk].

‘And it’s not like the women’s games bring the same sort of crowd as the men’s. I think this is a good shout.’