Will the Wisconsin Badgers Sell Beer at Camp Randall This Fall?

Wisconsin Badgers officials made a long-awaited change last year. For the first time, alcoholic beverages were available for purchase among all patrons at the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. Previously, alcohol sales were limited to those attending Wisconsin basketball or hockey games in premium suites.

On the eve of the college basketball season, I wrote, “I know what everyone wants more than anything is to watch the Wisconsin Badgers with an ice-cold beer at Camp Randall Stadium. You might get that soon, but only if you can behave this season at the Kohl Center.”

If recent reports are true, UW is rewarding Badgers fans’ good behavior “sooner than not.”

Report: Vendor Preparing for Alcohol Sales at Wisconsin Football Games This Season

Sep 10, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; A general view of Camp Randall Stadium with 77,331 fans watching the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Akron Zips. With a capacity of 80,321, the facility is designed so that all seats point toward the center of the field. Wisconsin defeated Akron 54-10. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

On the website formerly known as Twitter, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel‘s Jeff Potrykus noted tweaks in policies for hiring some concessions workers at Wisconsin Badgers football games. A vendor tasked with hiring concessions workers at Camp Randall Stadium told a contact who had previously supplied high school-age workers in that role that those workers must be 18 years old this fall. This would be the first season with such a minimum age requirement for that group of workers. That same vendor “informed the contact they hoped to be selling alcohol in Camp Randall Stadium concession stands this season.”

Vendor informed the contact they hoped to be selling alcohol in Camp Randall Stadium concession stands this season. UW added alcohols sales at the KC and all workers had to be 18, but there is zero indication from UW that anything is imminent for Camp Randall. https://t.co/MWGuJXhK0y

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) May 31, 2024

The HS rep said his people were told all of THEIR student workers should be 18 or older. He was referring to HIS student workers. The vendor in question sent the note to ONE rep, not to all.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) May 31, 2024

Notably, this is one vendor who shared this age requirement with one student worker coordinator. Currently, there are no reports of a wider policy requiring all concessions workers to be 18 or older. A minimum age restriction for concessions workers was implemented when alcohol sales expanded to the general public at the Kohl Center. Although the university has not indicated that alcohol sales are coming to Camp Randall, other comments from a Wisconsin Badgers coach raised my eyebrows.

Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball Coach Says Expanded Alcohol Sales Coming “Sooner Than Later”

Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield speaks with the players during the second set of their scrimmage match against Marquette on Friday March 31, 2023 at Oconomowoc High School in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Badgers volleyball head coach Kelly Sheffield joined Rutledge & Hamilton on ESPN Madison Thursday afternoon. Ahead of his 12th season in Madison, the three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year discussed various topics, from the growth of volleyball fandom and expanded television coverage to potential alcohol sales at Wisconsin volleyball matches.

An additional notable nugget to build on this report:

Yesterday during a radio hit with ESPN Madison, #Badgers volleyball HC Kelly Sheffield said "we may be there sooner than not in more of the facilities [at UW]" when asked about adding alcohol sales at the Field House. https://t.co/Nj0Fli1ja1

— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) May 31, 2024

When asked about the possibility of selling alcohol at the Wisconsin Field House, where the volleyball team hosts its matches, Sheffield was receptive. Not just receptive, though. Sheffield went so far as to suggest it may be on its way. The five-time Big Ten champion said alcohol sales “may be there sooner than not in more of the facilities” hosting Wisconsin Badgers athletic events.

Although nothing is definitive, combining Potrykus’ report and Sheffield’s comments together suggests there may be an announcement soon.

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