The University of Florida will use the 2019 men’s basketball season to test out selling beer and wine at sporting events.
Monday the University Athletic Association announced they would use the basketball season as a “pilot program” for alcohol sales in general seating areas. The Southeastern Conference made a rule change over the summer to allow alcohol sales in general seating areas but Florida didn’t take advantage of the new rule for football.
Here are the policies surrounding the new practice at basketball games.
Alcoholic beverages will be sold and dispensed only at designated stationary locations;
Alcoholic beverages will not be sold by vendors within the seating areas;
Identification check will be required at every point of sale to prevent sales to minors;
Alcoholic beverage sales are limited to beer and wine only
Fans, with valid legal IDs, will be permitted to only buy a maximum of two drinks at a time
Alcohol must be dispensed into cups;
Safe server training and additional training for staff to handle high-risk situations is required; and
Sales and distribution of alcohol will stop at the start of the second half.
Concession stands 210 (Between Section 01 and 03), 225 (Section 11), 227 (Section 13), 235 (Section 19) and 240 (Gate 4 Lobby) will be the only locations serving alcoholic beverages with the exception of the premium areas. Stands 215 (Gate 1 Lobby) and 222 (Section 07) will remain fully family-friendly and remain alcohol-free.
12-ounce cans of beer, hard seltzer and eight-ounce pours of wine will be available. There will be no liquor available.
The Gators open the 2019 season on Tuesday, November 5 at home against UNF. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm.