Bristol City selected to let fans drink alcohol in stands at women's games

Pints of cider
Pint glass Credit: PA

Bristol City are one of four teams selected to take part in a pilot scheme allowing supporters to drink alcohol in the stands.

Bristol City Women will participate in the pilot at Ashton Gate along with Birmingham City WFC, Newcastle United WFC and Southampton FC Women for supporters to consume alcohol in view of the pitch.

Currently drinking in sight of the pitch is banned in the top five tiers of the English men’s game, but the legislation does not cover the women’s game.

Speaking at The Summit – part of Leaders Week London – in October, chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) Nikki Doucet confirmed that trials would be taking place.

Drinking in the stands is allowed at Ashton Gate for Bristol Bears' fixtures Credit: PA

She said: “We are testing that actually 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.”

Each team will be involved with the pilot for either four or five home fixtures in the second half of the Women’s Championship season.

Both Bristol City and Southampton will begin on 19 January during their games against London City Lionesses and Sunderland, respectively.

Birmingham and Newcastle will trial the scheme the following week in their home fixtures on January 26 against Bristol City and Portsmouth, respectively.