Oklahoma State University football will sell beer stadium wide in 2018, marking a notable shift in operations for Boone Pickens Stadium.
Starting with this fall, OSU athletics will sell beer at its venues, meaning that it will take effect at Boone Pickens Stadium in time for the 2018 football season. The university had conducted a pilot program in the spring with its baseball and softball programs, and is now moving forward with expanded beer sales.
In previous seasons, beer has only been available in select premium areas at Boone Pickens Stadium. While also representing a significant change in the offerings at the venue, the announcement of expanded beer sales makes OSU one of a limited number of Big 12 programs to sell beer throughout its facility. More from The Oklahoman:
The university announced Thursday it will begin selling alcohol at football games starting this fall. OSU joins Texas and West Virginia as the only Big 12 schools where fans can purchase beer throughout the stadium. Previously, OSU sold alcohol in only private suites and the club level.
Beer will be available at 22 locations throughout Boone Pickens Stadium, all of which will be adjacent to current concession stands and include craft options. OSU is also introducing a no-re-entry policy at the stadium, one of which is already in place at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
“These changes will enhance game day safety,” OSU Chief of Police Leon Jones said in a release. “Other schools that we have talked to have experienced a decrease in overall consumption and overuse of alcohol in and around their stadiums once they introduced sales in the venue, and we believe the same could happen at Boone Pickens Stadium.”
OSU football’s home opener is scheduled for August 30 against Missouri State.
Image courtesy Oklahoma State Cowboy Football.