Open AccessSport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England
Author(s) -
Richard Purves,
Nathan Critchlow,
Richard Giulianotti,
Kate Hunt,
Stephen Morrow,
Angus Bancroft
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of sport and social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.828
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1552-7638
pISSN - 0193-7235
DOI - 10.1177/01937235211067192
Subject(s) - football , supporter , alcohol consumption , quarter (canadian coin) , excessive alcohol consumption , new england , alcohol , advertising , psychology , political science , history , law , business , politics , genealogy , biochemistry , chemistry , archaeology
Availability of alcohol at football matches in the UK is much debated and subject to multiple restrictions, yet there is little understanding of supporters’ attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of football supporters in Scotland and England (n = 1750) was conducted April–June 2019. Most supporters viewed drinking at matches as acceptable (74.4%) and thought alcohol should be available at grounds (76.0%); around two-fifths thought most supporters consumed alcohol before matches (44.1%); but only a quarter (26.6%) thought disorder at matches was due to alcohol. Attitudes varied by supporter characteristics: supporters who were younger, in England, or more regular match-goers were more favourable towards alcohol consumption and availability at matches. We conclude that alcohol regulations in some nations and sports – where restrictions are based on historical disorder – may no longer be appropriate.