NCAA Baseball and Softball Championships to Sell Beer and Wine for the First Time

Through a one-year pilot program, the NCAA Division I board of directors has approved a waiver that would allow the sale of beer and wine at the College World Series and Women’s College World Series to be held later this year. The alcohol sales will be limited to the final championship sites only and will only be available at concession stands. This marks the first time alcohol will be available to the general public at an NCAA championship.

According to a release issued by the NCAA, part of the impetus for the decision came from school reports indicating that alcohol-related incidents declined sharply once alcohol was being sold at events, leading to less binge drinking before events and fewer attempts to bring outside alcohol into the venue. NCAA staff will work with law enforcement in Omaha and Oklahoma City, where the College World Series and Women’s College World Series are taking place, respectively, to monitor alcohol-related incidents at both venues. The College World Series will be held at TD Ameritrade Park and the Women’s College World Series will be held at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.