The European Championship is awash with beer. In the fan zones, outside the stadiums, on the concourses, and in the stands.
It seems like everyone is soaked in beer. Fans, players, and even journalists, who find themselves dripping with booze walking into press conferences.
It’s quite the sight. Perhaps they could use a tiny violin or a towel.
Let’s not forget about the plastic cups raining down from the stands towards players taking corner kicks or goal kicks.
But first, let’s talk about the beer.
The official sponsor, Bitburger, provides the German brew at the tournament. At Allianz Arena, you’ll find Pils, Radler, and non-alcoholic beer for €7 per 500ml. In Cologne, they serve Kolsch, a sweet beer usually in small glasses. There are no restrictions on how much fans can buy and they can enjoy their drinks anywhere within the stadium.
However, for England’s match against Serbia, only beer with two percent alcohol was served due to security concerns. Drinking in the stands was also banned for that game. It remains to be seen if similar restrictions will apply to England’s next game against Slovakia.
Despite the lower alcohol content, traveling fans are relishing a level of freedom not typically experienced back home.
Reduced-alcohol beer on sale at Serbia v England (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Since 1985, English football matches have banned drinking alcohol within sight of the pitch. In Scotland, stadiums have a strict no-drinking policy.
Meanwhile, Spain only allows non-alcoholic beer, France doesn’t sell alcohol in stadiums during Ligue 1 games, and Serbia’s bars close two hours before kick-off.
Then there’s Germany.
UEFA adjusts food and drink rules to local legislation, and in Germany, alcohol is a big part of Bundesliga matchdays. While there may be restrictions during high-risk games, watching football with a drink in hand is a quintessential German experience.
Clubs profit from beer sales, with many top teams having brewery sponsors. For instance, Schalke’s Veltins Arena has a 5km pipeline to a local brewery. Fans can often be seen enjoying beer during matches, spraying it from the terraces in celebration.
Concerns about over-drinking among England fans in Germany were raised before the Euro championship, but so far, there have been minimal issues. While fans have been enjoying beer gardens under the sun, trouble has remained rare.
The Athletic spoke to a steward at Allianz Arena who mentioned few behavior problems among fans so far. Despite full-strength alcohol being served, Munich-hosted games have not been designated high-risk.
However, the plastic cups littering the stadiums and press conferences have been a nuisance. Instances of fans throwing objects onto the pitch have led to fines for Croatia, Scotland, and Albania. UEFA is still considering further action as the tournament progresses.
Plastic cups are not typically a hassle in Germany due to a shift towards reusable cups. Many stadiums have introduced reusable cup schemes, where fans pay a deposit for a cup and return it after games to reclaim their money.
The atmosphere during Euro 2024 games has been festive, with fans reveling in the experience despite occasional organizational issues.
A Belgium fan prefers a helmet to the tournament’s plastic cups (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Given the lack of Covid-19 restrictions in mainland Europe for a football tournament in many years, the festival-like atmosphere of Euro 2024 is a welcome change. Supporters have filled stadiums with noise and friendly rivalry, with a few isolated incidents but an overall benevolent mood.
Let’s hope that the freedom and festivity of the tournament continue, despite the occasional plastic cup nuisance.
(Top photo: A plastic cup on the pitch at Slovenia vs Serbia; by Clive Mason via Getty Images)