This season, Notre Dame Stadium, the cathedral of college football, added a new feature not seen in many other cathedrals. For the first time, fans with general admission tickets at Notre Dame football games have been able to purchase alcoholic beverages at the stadium’s concession stands.
Mike Seamon, the vice president for university operations, events and safety, said that the storied venue’s history and unique position in the minds of fans were considered in the decision to begin alcohol sales.
“For that reason, we have been thoughtful over the years in our approach to changes and upgrades to the venue, mindful of the need to satisfy fan expectations and, at the same time, preserve the unique atmosphere of the stadium and its many traditions,” Seamon wrote in a statement to The Observer.
Notre Dame Stadium, famous for the lack of advertising within its bowl, was one of the last college stadiums to bring alcoholic beverages to football games, despite its presence at the stadium for special events in the past and for premium ticket holders in private areas.
Elaborating on how the University approached the decision, Seamon wrote, “[Our] comprehensive review process included engaging peers at both the collegiate and professional team venues. We also had proof of concept offered by alcohol sales during stadium events including concerts and professional soccer games hosted over the past several years.”
The University of Michigan began selling alcoholic beverages at Michigan Stadium prior to the 2024 season.
Beverage offerings inside the stadium this season have included Coors Light, High Noon and Guinness. The Observer was denied access to the financials from concessions so far this season, though Seamon wrote, “we can assure you that there has been a warm response to this new game day amenity.”
Levy Restaurants, which provides concessions services for schools and venues across the country, is the University’s partner for concessions.
“Levy is in its ninth year serving as the University’s concessionaire,” Seamon wrote. “Levy employs best practices across their venues in regards to the responsible serving of alcohol.”
Seamon indicated that reports of unruly and intoxicated fans have held steady during the early part of the season, even with fans having access to alcohol in the stadium. The NDPD blotter reported 13 liquor violations, seven instances of public intoxication and two incidents involving possession of false identification on Sep. 13, the date of the Texas A&M game. For context, 30 such incidents were reported on Nov. 9, 2024, also a night game versus Florida State.
“The number of safety and security incidents from the Texas A&M and Purdue games have been similar and consistent with those recorded during previous seasons,” Seamon wrote. “The safety approach remains the same as in past seasons.”
Notre Dame Police Department and other law enforcement and safety partners are present within the stadium during games. Seamon said that the University was committed to the safety of all attendees, including those under the legal drinking age of 21.
“Levy verifies the ID of every individual before every transaction to ensure they are of legal drinking age (21 years old) in the state of Indiana,” Seamon wrote. “Students who engage in or facilitate underage drinking may be referred to the University Conduct Process for underage consumption, possession or transportation of alcoholic beverages, possession of false identification, or for providing alcoholic beverages to any person who is underage.”
Underage drinking in the student section is not uncommon. The Observer spoke to multiple underage students, who were granted anonymity to allow them to protect their privacy.
“I bought alcohol the first time at the Zach Bryan concert,” one said. “I’ve seen so many people with drinks … in the student section that haven’t been caught.”
They said that since the stadium staff’s enforcement of the alcohol policy has been less strict, it has been easy to buy drinks, even if underage.
“It was much easier than I was anticipating,” they said. “The vendor looked high-school age, and I wasn’t even asked to show ID.”
Another student said they had a friend buy the drink for them and then paid them back. At that point, the only obstacle is getting past the ushers and back to the seats, but the student said they were not worried about that.
“If you just assume confidence when you walk, they’re not really going to do anything,” they said. “Sections like the junior, senior, grad students, you know, there's a lot of 21-plus in those sections, so it's just a hassle and unnecessary to really be dogging down on people there when they're just enjoying their legal right to drink.”
For other students, the gameday experience hasn’t changed much with the new menu items. They said they’ve avoided buying alcoholic beverages in the stadium so far.
“I feel like I have the opportunity to drink all I want before the game,” one student said.
Another student pointed to the cost of drinks as a sticking point. Compared to the drinks inside the stadium, drinks at the tailgates outside the stadium have one thing going for them – they’re free.
“It’s too expensive,” they said. “It’s not economical to get a lot of alcohol in the stadium.”
A third student was less worried about getting caught drinking underage than the hassle associated with procuring the drinks.
“I am a little concerned about [being underage], but my main worry is the expensive prices and long lines,” they said. “[At tailgates] it’s free and accessible so I throw a couple back.”
