U of M nears new stadium alcohol policy

The University of Minnesota Regents will consider on Wednesday a new policy that allows alcohol sales to fans sitting in the general seating area of TCF Bank Stadium.

The U's original plan was to limit alcohol sales to suites in the new stadium. But the Legislature passed a bill that required the university to also make alcohol sales to the general public at college football games through halftime.

The U still plans to place some limitations on the beer and wine sales, which will start an hour before kickoff and only take place in a designated area on the west end of the stadium. People will be allowed to take their drinks back to their seats in the stadium.

At Mariucci and Williams Arenas, alcohol will only be sold in premium seats.

The U dropped alcohol sales at athletic events at all three venues in 2009 in a regulatory dispute that was settled by the legislature this year.

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