If you’re going to Crisler Center this weekend, you may be able to have a little extra fun.
The University of Michigan announced on Thursday that starting on Friday with the wrestling meet against Iowa, and continuing on Saturday when Michigan basketball hosts Rutgers, that alcohol will be sold at the arena. It’s the first time that alcohol will be officially sold at an on-campus sporting event.
This begins the new era in Ann Arbor, and it will continue into football season when alcohol sales will officially begin at The Big House this fall.
More details in the full press release below.
Full release
The University of Michigan Athletics Department has been approved for state liquor licenses and will begin offering the sale of alcohol at events in Crisler Center and Yost Arena.
In October, the Board of Regents approved alcohol sales in select U-M athletic facilities, following bipartisan legislation enacted last summer, which permits such licensed sales at university athletic competitions in the state.
Alcohol will be available for purchase for the first time at Crisler Center, starting February 2 with a wrestling meet against Iowa (8:30 p.m.)
The first men’s basketball game with alcohol sales will be Feb. 3, with a 4 p.m. game against Rutgers.
The first hockey game with alcohol sales will be Feb. 9 (7 p.m. vs. MSU).
Other upcoming events at Crisler Center with sales include women’s gymnastics on Feb. 4 (3:45 p.m. vs. MSU) and women’s basketball on Feb. 6 (7 p.m. vs. Nebraska).
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.
The move corresponded with an expanded implementation at Crisler Center and Yost Ice Arena of U-M’s Weapons Detection Systems, which was successfully rolled out at Michigan Stadium in the fall. The walk-through system allows U-M to expand its extensive security measures throughout its venues. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry into Crisler and Yost; gates open one hour before games and events start.
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