Aberdeen trials Pittodrie alcohol sales

Image: Aberdeen Football Club on Facebook

Fans at Aberdeen Football Club’s upcoming Scottish Premiership game against Kilmarnock at Pittodrie will be allowed to drink alcohol in the stadium after an alcohol license was granted.

STV said home fans will be able to purchase an alcoholic drink at The Richard Donald Stand Lower concourse area before kick-off.

It will be the first time that alcohol is sold to general ticket holders at a top-flight game since the ban was brought in 45 years ago.

The sale of alcohol was prohibited at Scottish football grounds after a Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers led to a riot in the stands that spilled onto the pitch.

Aberdeen F.C. confirmed that the local city council has now granted them permission to sell alcohol.

Aberdeen Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland (UK). They compete in the Scottish Premiership and have never been relegated from the top division of the Scottish football league system since they were elected to the top-flight in 1905.

The 19,274-capacity Pittodrie Stadium, commonly referred to as the Pittodrie from which the surrounding residential area has taken its name, is an all-seater stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland (UK). Used primarily for football it has been the home ground of Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903.

A statement about the alcohol license from the club said: “Aberdeen can confirm that our upcoming home fixture in the William Hill Premiership against Kilmarnock on Sunday, December 14, has been granted a license by Aberdeen City Council for the sale of alcohol at this match.

“The Richard Donald Stand Lower concourse area at Pittodrie will offer alcohol for purchase before kick-off at the game. This will only be available to home fans, and these sales will be managed in full accordance with licensing laws, with appropriate security and stewarding in place.”

The club said aim of the initiative is to gather insight into how a carefully managed approach to alcohol sales can support a positive and safe matchday experience for supporters, as part of wider work taking place across Scottish football to improve fan engagement and enhance the overall stadium environment.

Aberdeen F.C. added: “Supporters are reminded that alcohol may only be consumed within clearly designated areas and not in sight of the pitch, and all sales will take place in clearly defined, monitored areas of the stadium. Matchday operations, stewarding and safety planning will remain consistent with our usual high standards.

“We hope this will add to the enjoyment of the matchday experience for supporters and would like to pass on our thanks to fans for their continued support and cooperation.”

Championship club St Johnstone have also been granted permission to sell alcohol to supporters at their upcoming games against Queen’s Park and Greenock Morton.

One of those games was played on November 15 and the other will take place on December 20.

The SPFL held a pilot scheme in the summer that allowed alcohol to be sold at select game in the group stage of the League Cup.

Stirling Albion thanked supporters after an initial pilot at their stadium passed successfully.

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