Michigan to kick off alcohol sales at Crisler Center, Yost Arena starting this week

The University of Michigan Athletics Department announced on Thursday that it would kick off alcohol sales at events at Crisler Center and Yost Arena starting this weekend after approval for state liquor licenses.

The first event with alcohol available for purchase will take place on Feb. 2 in a wrestling meet against Iowa set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The first men’s basketball game with alcohol will be Saturday at 4 p.m. against Rutgers. Hockey’s first game with alcohol will be on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. vs. Michigan State.

Other Crisler Center events with alcohol will be a women’s gymnastics meet on Feb. 4 at 3:45 p.m. vs. Michigan State and a women’s basketball game on Feb. 5 vs. Nebraska at 7 p.m.

Michigan‘s Board of Regents approved the sale of alcohol in October at select athletic events following the state enacting legislation last summer to permit licensed sales at collegiate sporting events. It is expected that football games will include alcohol sales starting this fall, but the U-M release says it will review data and experience feedback from the rollout at other events first.

Michigan State rolled out alcohol sales this fall for football games, making Michigan and Nebraska the lone holdouts in the Big Ten Conference that did not permit sales. USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon, who join the Big Ten next season, all allow alcohol to be sold at their games.

The Michigan release states:

The regulatory features to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans for all events will include all patrons being required to show ID at every purchase, and each transaction will have a limit of two alcoholic beverages per legal drinking age guest.

Implementation for potential alcohol sales at Michigan Stadium will be considered after reviewing data and the experiences at the other two venues.

The Board of Regents voted Oct. 19 to authorize asking the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to issue liquor licenses at several athletic venues. U-M’s liquor license allows for alcohol sales at the venues for U-M events and during a small number of non-athletic events each calendar year.

Michigan also recently implemented a new security system at Crisler and Yost, which was rolled out at the Big House this fall. The walk-through system “allows U-M to expand its extensive security measures throughout its venues” and encourages guests to arrive early. Gates open one hour early for most contests.