Nebraska regents approve expanding alcohol sales to all sporting events, including football and volleyball

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a motion to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol at all sporting events, including football and volleyball games, at its meeting Friday morning.

The board voted 9-1-1, with Regent Kathy Wilmot voting no and UNMC Student Regent Pranita Devaraju abstaining, to allow alcohol sales at University of Nebraska athletic venues beginning in the 2025-26 season. Previously, Nebraska was the only Big Ten institution not permitted to sell alcohol at football games.

In public comments, several people objected to the sale of alcohol at Husker events. One woman emphasized the importance of creating a family-friendly environment. “I would like to get you thinking: Does this university do everything that other universities do? I hope not, and I can’t understand why it’s so important to start selling alcohol at the events,” she said.

Nebraska Athletics is not required to obtain further board approval for each individual event.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, University of Nebraska system president, noted that revenue from alcohol sales would support the university’s alcohol safety programs.

“This has been an important point of discussion with our board and we are committed to using this opportunity to increase our investment in studying the results of these changes and in safety initiatives,” said Dr. Gold.

In 2022, the board changed its policy to allow alcohol sales at certain sporting events, but required an individual permit for each venue or event. Since then, alcohol has been sold at Husker basketball games at Pinnacle Bank Arena, baseball and softball games at Haymarket Park and at special events such as the Big Ten Wrestling Championships in 2022 and Nebraska Volleyball Day in 2023. No major alcohol-related incidents were reported at these events.

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