Madeleine Thomas

This month, for the first time since 1980, supporters at a top-flight match were able to purchase alcoholic drinks inside a stadium. Aberdeen FC’s success in securing a tightly-controlled, one-off licence for its fixture against Kilmarnock at Pittodrie marks the clearest indication yet that attitudes toward match-day alcohol sales are evolving. While the trial itself was modest, its implications stretch far beyond one game or one club.

The ban on alcohol at Scottish football grounds was introduced following violent scenes at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers. Section 20 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol within sight of the pitch. What began as an emergency measure became a defining feature of Scottish football culture, reshaping how fans socialise before kick-off and entrenching the expectation that stadiums remain dry.

Aberdeen City Council’s Licensing Board has taken the first step in testing whether this decades-old regime can, in limited circumstances, be revisited. For the Dons’ match against Kilmarnock on 14 December, home supporters were permitted to buy alcohol in a designated concourse area before the start of the game, a practice long commonplace south of the border. The restriction on drinking within view of the pitch remained in place, and sales ceased at kick-off to minimise risk.

This is not an isolated development. Championship side St Johnstone trialled a similar arrangement against Queen’s Park in November, and several Premier Sports Cup matches earlier in the season also included controlled alcohol pilots. Together, these examples suggest licensing boards are increasingly open to exploring whether modern safety measures, stewarding standards, and crowd management practices can support a carefully managed return of alcohol sales without compromising public order.

From a legal perspective, the significance lies in showing that existing powers under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 already give local authority boards considerable flexibility. Applications can be assessed on individual merits, taking into account the five licensing objectives and the specific circumstances of each event. Aberdeen’s pilot shows boards can approve cautiously-framed schemes where clubs present robust evidence of risk mitigation, without the need for immediate legislative reform.

Naturally, these trials have attracted close scrutiny. Police Scotland, the Scottish Football Association, local authorities, and government ministers will assess not only whether alcohol sales passed without incident, but also whether they contributed positively to crowd behaviour and match-day operations.

Successful trials may encourage other clubs to apply for similar permissions at low-risk fixtures, building momentum for a broader review of the 1980 ban. Conversely, any breach of licence conditions or lapse in management could strengthen arguments for maintaining current restrictions.

The wider debate continues to balance competing priorities. Public health campaigners and policing representatives have long warned that easing restrictions could heighten disorder, place additional strain on emergency services, and exacerbate harmful drinking culture. However, many clubs argue limited, supervised sales inside stadiums could reduce heavy pre-match drinking and create a more controlled environment overall.

Ultimately, the success of any future change will depend on meticulous compliance, clear communication with supporters, and carefully-drafted licence conditions. While Aberdeen’s initiative is a small step, it represents the most significant challenge to 45 years of prohibition. Whether it becomes a catalyst for national reform, or remains a limited experiment, will depend on how effectively clubs and fans manage the responsibility now placed upon them.

Madeleine Thomas is a trainee at Gilson Gray. This article first appeared in The Scotsman.