Michigan beer and wine distributors team up with public universities for football stadium alcohol sales

EAST LANSING, Mich. – This football season, public university stadiums across Michigan, including Spartan Stadium, will once again offer alcohol sales. Allowing fans to enjoy alcoholic beverages while cheering on their teams will provide an additional revenue stream for universities.

Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are actively supporting this new sales opportunity by delivering a variety of quality beverage options for fans to enjoy at stadiums across the state.

“We're excited to be part of this new era for college football in Michigan,” said A.J. Mathews, president of West Side Beer Distributing. “This unique opportunity allows us to support public universities' athletic programs while ensuring fans can enjoy the game in a safe and responsible way.”

With locations in Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Romulus, West Side Beer Distributing is among the distributors supplying fan-favorite beverages to Spartan Stadium at Michigan State University and Waldo Stadium at Western Michigan University.

“I'm proud to have sponsored legislation that allows our public universities to enhance the game-day experience for fans while increasing revenue that can be reinvested in academic and athletic programs,” said State Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo. “This law is a win for universities, students and our local economies.”

“Offering alcohol sales at public university stadiums creates new opportunities for us to connect with our community and showcase Michigan’s vibrant beer culture,” said Jim Warbritton, president of Rave Associates Inc. “We’re eager to contribute to making game days even more enjoyable for fans.”

Rave Associates Inc., based in Ann Arbor, is among the distributors providing beverages to the Big House at the University of Michigan.

With the fall football season in full swing, fans can look forward to an exciting experience that supports local economies and our state’s thriving beer industry.

This law allowing alcohol sales in college stadiums highlights the ways lawmakers can work with the industry, including the MB&WWA, to craft policy that responsibly expands consumer access to their favorite beverages.

This Dropbox folder has access to additional photos, including Spartan Stadium.