Four Women’s Championship clubs will trial allowing fans alcohol in stands which may result in more people attending the matches. The Women’s Championship clubs involved include Birmingham, Bristol City, Newcastle and Southampton.
The first games in the trial will be Bristol City's match against London City Lionesses and Southampton against Sunderland, both on 19 January.
On 26 January, Birmingham and Newcastle will trial the idea in home fixtures against Bristol City and Portsmouth respectively.
The trial will run until the end of this season but apply to league fixtures only, some derby fixtures will not be included.
Consuming alcohol in stands is currently banned in the top five men’s leagues in English football, in conformity with the Sporting Events Act of 1985. However, the trial can go ahead for the Women’s Championship because the women’s game is not linked to the Sporting Events Act and therefore government approval is not necessary.
These four clubs registered interest in participating in the trial to Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). The WPLL has been running the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship since August. The clubs involved also had to meet certain safety criteria.
Chief executive of WPLL Nikki Doucet expressed:
“We are testing that in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we'll see what we learn from that. I think our fan base and the behaviour is different (to the men's game), and I think ultimately, it's about being able to give our fans choices, while obviously maintaining the safety and what we need to do in terms of being responsible.”
Many assume the trial will be a success as women’s football attracts a different demographic in comparison to men’s football. For example, last September, government data showed no arrests had been made at women’s football matches in England and Wales during the 2023-24 season.
It is also reported that these four clubs were picked for the trial due to their geographical spread. Also, two of the venues participating, Ashton Gate in Bristol and Kingston Park in Newcastle, permit alcohol during rugby union fixtures. The other two venues do not permit this, allowing for comparison.
If the trial is successful, alcohol may also be permitted in stands across the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship.
