Tartan Army supporters will be allowed to purchase alcohol on stadium concourses at Hampden Park after Glasgow’s licensing board lifted the notorious 45-year booze ban for upcoming international fixtures. The decision follows successful, incident-free trials during earlier national team friendlies.
Scottish football’s alcohol ban, enforced since the infamous 1980 Scottish Cup final riot between Celtic and Rangers, is finally crumbling at the national stadium. Supporters heading to Scotland’s upcoming games against Switzerland on September 29 and Slovenia next month will be able to buy pints on the concourse. The green light comes after pop-up hospitality bars passed initial tests during matches against Japan and Curaçao earlier this year.
Addressing the city’s licensing board, licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan highlighted the seamless execution of the trial. He told the board: “You granted essentially equivalent licences for the friendlies. I’m very pleased to say they both went well, there were no adverse incidents. I think it was a good result for everyone involved with Hampden .”
The board granted four occasional licences covering level five east bronze and level five west bronze concourses, with sales running from 5.45pm until last orders at 7pm ahead of 7.45pm kick-offs. McGowan explained: “I suppose these are the next step in this wider project… to gather data on the safe use of hospitality provision in concourse areas.”
Concerns over fan behavior have dominated discussions for decades, but licensing officials took a cautious, step-by-step approach. McGowan reassured the board that “public safety has been at the heart of that process” throughout the trial.
He added: “You’ve now got the comfort of knowing that two matches have been licensed without any difficulties.”
Supporters have long argued that the 45-year ban is no longer fit for purpose. With Aberdeen leading top-flight club trials last December against Kilmarnock and new manager Sébastien Pocognoli guiding the national side, Scottish football is moving toward a modern matchday experience.
