The SEC has changed drastically over the last several years by relaxing previously strict rules regarding the sale of alcohol in its venues.
Fans who go and enjoy football games now may see it as a distant memory, but until about 2019 stadiums within the conference were not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages at games.
Bryant-Denny Stadium for example has only sold beer and other drinks at Alabama games for the last three seasons while Auburn became the last team to adopt the policy in the conference and began sales just this past year.
Even the SEC Championship in Atlanta had greatly limited sales and did not let the game sell it for the first time until this past December’s matchup.
Now, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville will follow suit sell alcohol at Bridgestone Arena as a new champion competes this weekend.
For the first time ever, Alcohol is being sold at the SEC Tournament in Nashville🍻
(📸 @MrsTylerKSR) https://t.co/b3ycfhDWTb pic.twitter.com/vcrvTjsldQ
— On3 (@On3sports) March 12, 2025
Whether or not this gets more fans into the arena is likely not a factor as it has always been packed with or without alcohol, but it certainly gives people another reason to travel to Nashville if they were not previously going to do so.
Auburn will play their first game on Friday at 12:00 noon against the winner of the matchup between Arkansas and Ole Miss while Alabama will face the winner of Kentucky against Oklahoma in the late night game on Friday night. The Tigers will play on ESPN while the Tide can be found on the SEC Network.
