Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England

Citation

Purves R, Critchlow N, Giulianotti R, Hunt K, Morrow S & Bancroft A (2022) Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 46 (2), pp. 199-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/01937235211067192

Abstract
Availability of alcohol at football matches in the UK is much debated and subject to multiple restrictions, yet there is little understanding of supporters’ attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of football supporters in Scotland and England (n  =  1750) was conducted April–June 2019. Most supporters viewed drinking at matches as acceptable (74.4%) and thought alcohol should be available at grounds (76.0%); around two-fifths thought most supporters consumed alcohol before matches (44.1%); but only a quarter (26.6%) thought disorder at matches was due to alcohol. Attitudes varied by supporter characteristics: supporters who were younger, in England, or more regular match-goers were more favourable towards alcohol consumption and availability at matches. We conclude that alcohol regulations in some nations and sports – where restrictions are based on historical disorder – may no longer be appropriate.

Keywords
Football; alcohol; attitudes; supporters; regulations

Journal
Journal of Sport and Social Issues: Volume 46, Issue 2

People

Dr Nathan Critchlow

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor, Institute for Social Marketing

Dr Richard Purves

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing