Andy Burnham proposes trial to lift 1985 ban on alcohol in English football stands

Proposal for trial lifting of restrictions

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed allowing spectators to drink alcohol in the stands during men's football matches in England on a trial basis. Speaking to reporters while travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2026, Burnham described the four-decade-old restrictions as outdated and discriminatory toward football supporters. Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, drinking within sight of the pitch is prohibited across the top five tiers of English men's football, although fans may purchase and consume alcohol on stadium concourses away from the pitch.

Burnham, who took over the premiership from Keir Starmer in July 2026, argued that football fans face restrictions that do not apply to spectators at rugby or cricket matches. A long-time Everton supporter who took Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to a match a week earlier, Burnham stated that the current rules treat football differently from other sports.

I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point. I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different. And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.

Legislative background and safety developments

The ban was enacted in 1985 following widespread disorder at football grounds during the 1980s. That same year, 39 people died in violence before the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Belgium, resulting in a five-year ban on English clubs competing in European tournaments. The 1990 Taylor report into stadium disasters subsequently prompted the introduction of all-seater stadiums, alongside increased CCTV coverage and revised policing methods that reduced violence at fixtures.

A permanent change to allow alcohol consumption in view of the pitch would require an act of Parliament to amend the 1985 legislation. In 2021, the fan-led review of football governance recommended testing the sale of alcohol within sight of the pitch in lower divisions. The English Women's Super League ran a trial during the 2025–2026 season permitting alcohol in the stands, with 90% of surveyed supporters reporting that matches remained safe and family friendly.

Responses from policing and football bodies

Burnham's proposal received backing from both the Football Supporters' Association and the English Football League. However, the UK Football Policing Unit opposed relaxing the restrictions, warning that introducing alcohol to the stands risks inflaming disorderly conduct. The policing body requested a meeting with the prime minister to outline the operational challenges for stadium safety staff and police officers.

Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour. It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.

Burnham indicated he intends to maintain his position despite police opposition, arguing that trials offer a controlled method to assess stadium management under modern conditions. Any legislative changes will depend on securing a parliamentary majority in the House of Commons.