Alcohol Control Policies and Practices at Professional Sports Stadiums

The likelihood of alcohol-related problems at professional sports stadiums is high given that alcohol sales and consumption are often focal points at professional sporting events. A successful strategy used to enforce alcohol laws (e.g., prohibition of sales to underage patrons) and reduce subsequent problems at licensed alcohol establishments is systematic enforcement. To determine types of enforcement of alcohol laws targeted at professional sports stadiums as well as the types/prevalence of alcohol-related problems at stadiums reported to law enforcement agencies we conducted a telephone survey with state alcohol beverage control (ABC) agencies and local law enforcement agencies in states and communities in the U.S with professional sport stadiums. Ninety-two percent (31/34) of ABC agencies participated, and 85% (50/58) of local law enforcement agencies participated. We also conducted a telephone survey of a manager at each stadium that houses a professional sports team (n = 98) to assess prevalence of stadium alcohol control policies and practices (participation rate = 69%). Our findings show that the majority of law enforcement agencies conduct alcohol compliance checks and other alcohol enforcement actions at professional sports stadiums, and most local enforcement agencies have received complaints about alcohol-related problems (e.g., fights, damaged property) at least occasionally. Most stadium managers report having alcohol control policies such as alcohol-free seating sections and prohibition of intoxicated patrons entering the stadium. Additional results, including those from bivariate and multivariate analyses, for all three surveys will be presented. Our findings will help guide recommendations for interventions to prevent alcohol-related problems at stadiums.