Beginning with the 2014 season, club seat holders at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be able to purchase beer and wine during Arkansas football games.
The deal is pending approval of a license applied for by the school's concessionaire partner.
“We are pleased that beginning in 2014, our club seat holders at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be offered a new service that they have been requesting,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “Working with Sodexo, Razorback fans who are of legal age will be able to have the opportunity to purchase beer and wine in designated indoor club seating areas. We are pleased that Sodexo will be able to utilize its expertise developed through implementing and coordinating similar programs around the country.”
Purchases would be available in the east indoor club, south indoor club and the indoor dining area of the south outdoor club. The University of Arkansas will become the eighth institution in the Southeastern Conference where alcohol is made available in stadium club areas for an on-campus sporting event.
Nicholas Harding attended every home game last season and said this is a positive move that could lead to bigger crowds.
"There are probably thousands of people that just sit outside and watch the game or watch it on television," he said. "If they could do what they're doing outside inside, I feel like it would bring most of them in."
Olivia Taylor also said it could help boost attendance.
"I mean if they can have the party inside, they won't have to stay outside," she said.
No sales or consumption of alcohol will be permitted in outdoor seating sections or other public areas consistent with Southeastern Conference policy.
Some fans say with alcohol available inside the stadium, authorities will have to watch out for problems from fans who might have had too much to drink.
"There's the potential for that to happen, but us being responsible hog fans I think we will handle it well," said Eric McCarty.
Fans in the sky boxes already may stock their own suites with food and beverages, including alcohol. However, they can not purchase the beer and wine, supplied by Sodexo, to be delivered to their suite.