SEC lifts ban on alcohol sales in stadiums

The Southeastern Conference will lift its ban on stadium-wide alcohol sales, effective Aug. 1, commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed, according to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

The SEC was the only one of the five major conferences to outlaw the sale of alcohol in general seating areas. It's sold at most bowl games, including those with SEC participants.

"Schools will have autonomy," Sankey said, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel's Blake Toppmeyer. "This is now an opportunity for institutions to make responsible and appropriate decisions."

Alcohol sales will be limited to beer and wine, and restrictions will be placed on the number of drinks purchased at one time by an individual. Alcoholic beverages will not be sold by vendors within seating areas.

"The policy is intended to enhance the game-day experience at SEC athletics events by providing our schools the autonomy to make appropriate decisions for their respective campuses while also establishing expectations for responsible management of the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages," chair of the SEC presidents and chancellors Harris Pastides said in a release obtained by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.