Aberdeen granted permanent alcohol licence

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Aberdeen Football Club has received a permanent alcohol licence from the city council for matchdays at Pittodrie. The approval follows two alcohol sales trials held last season and applies to the Richard Donald Stand Lower concourse area, rather than the whole stadium.

Under the arrangement reported by the BBC, fans will be allowed to buy alcoholic drinks up to 30 minutes before kick-off. Consumption will be limited to designated areas, and drinks cannot be taken to places where the pitch is visible. The licence is due to begin with Aberdeen’s first Scottish Premiership home league fixture of the season, against Heart of Midlothian on 1 August.

The BBC said sales will be restricted to “lower risk non-category CIR matches,” indicating the licence will not automatically apply to every fixture. Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows welcomed the decision in comments published by the club, saying supporter feedback had shown interest in a more flexible stadium experience and that the club had worked with authorities on safeguards and procedures.

The decision matters because alcohol sales at football grounds in Scotland remain tightly controlled, particularly around where and when supporters can drink. Aberdeen’s permanent licence suggests the club and local authorities were satisfied enough with the trial arrangements to continue them on a limited basis, while still applying restrictions intended to manage matchday safety and crowd behaviour.