NEW YORK — United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed the return of alcohol to football stands, arguing that current restrictions discriminate against supporters compared with fans of other sports. Speaking while travelling to New York, Burnham suggested the rules could be relaxed on a trial basis to address what he described as an outdated legislative framework.

Burnham wants supporters to have the same opportunity to enjoy a drink in their seats as fans at sports such as rugby and cricket. He argued there was a case for removing what he described as discrimination against football supporters, noting that the legislation dated back to an era when football was 'very different'.

"I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different. And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination," Burnham said. "There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis. But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently."

The Prime Minister previously raised the issue shortly before entering No 10 in July while attending a rugby league fixture at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium alongside Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram. Pointing to fans holding pints of beer, Burnham remarked: "How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can't do that at an Everton home game? Something wrong there. I think we need to look at that."

Burnham is a season-ticket holder at Premier League team Everton and an Everton supporter. His tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom began on 20 July 2026 when he accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, succeeding Keir Starmer. As prime minister, Burnham concurrently serves as First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Minister for the Union and Leader of the Labour Party. Upon taking office, Burnham became the first prime minister to belong to the Labour and Co-operative Party.

The UK Football Policing Unit has opposed the idea of increasing alcohol consumption inside football grounds. A spokesperson said alcohol was often a significant factor in violent and disorderly behaviour among a minority of football supporters. The unit warned that it would be 'irresponsible' to fuel such incidents by allowing fans to drink more during matches.

Police chiefs called for a meeting with Burnham to explain how any changes could affect the safety of supporters and staff. Police argued that reforms introduced following football-related tragedies were made for good reason. A spokesperson said it would be 'incredibly rash' to make fundamental changes without examining the evidence and consulting policing experts.

Tom Greatrex, the chair of the Football Supporters' Association, said: "The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league." Greatrex added: "We welcome the prime minister’s comments and totally agree that the legislation is outdated and deserves to be reviewed." The Football Supporters' Association believes the legislation is outdated, and the English Football League has said it would welcome a review.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell observed that matchday environments have transformed over recent decades, citing the introduction of safe standing as evidence of positive change. "I go to the football most weekends with my young son and, you know, 30 years ago that probably wouldn't have been all that comfortable an environment for a mum and their child to go to, but things have changed significantly," Powell said. "And that's why we've been able to reintroduce safe standing, for example, which is something that fans want. So I think it's a conversation we need to have to make sure that we keep the great atmosphere." Powell noted that "we don't see bad behaviour" at rugby, cricket and other sporting events where alcohol is sold, adding: "I think we need to do this in consort with fans and with football, so that we make sure that we keep the really good atmosphere, the good behaviour, and we don't put that at risk." Senior Conservative Helen Whately said her party would examine the proposals thoroughly.

Whately told the Press Association: "We will have to look at what the Prime Minister is suggesting on alcohol at football matches. Of course, I understand that if you're going to a football match, you might want to have a drink while you're there. That hasn't been possible in recent years because of safety, but I understand that Government's going to be looking at it again."

A trial or pilot scheme to look at whether a change would be possible is not being ruled out by government sources. However, any wider move would require extensive consultation involving football clubs, fans and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, none of which is currently planned.

Why It Matters

Recent developments in women's football provide context for potential changes. Supporters at Women's Super League and WSL2 matches have been permitted to drink alcohol in view of the pitch following an 18-month trial. Since the rule change allowing alcohol in women's football stands, 25 of the 26 clubs across the two divisions of English women’s football have decided to take up the option at all of their home games.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s home matches at Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium are the only exception where fans cannot drink in view of the pitch, but Brighton have permitted fans to drink in view of the pitch when the team play their home matches at the Amex Stadium. Women's matches have typically seen fewer incidents of crowd trouble.

Timeline

In 1981, the law became more restrictive in Scotland, where the general sale of alcohol has been prohibited in Scottish football stadiums since 1981, but trial sales have been taking place recently and fans can now buy alcohol at Hampden Park games. In 1985, the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibited drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales. Also in 1985, the legislation was introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government for English and Welsh football grounds.

Since 1985, alcohol has been prohibited within sight of the pitch at matches in England and Wales. Laws have been in place since 1985 which have prevented drinking in view of the pitch at stadiums for clubs in the top five tiers of men's football in England. In 2021, a fan-led review of football governance called for the ban to be re-examined and suggested piloting the sale of alcohol within sight of the pitch in lower-tier English football. On 20 July 2026, Andy Burnham's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom began when he accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, succeeding Keir Starmer.

What's New

The law is more restrictive in Scotland, where the general sale of alcohol has been prohibited in Scottish football stadiums since 1981, but trial sales have been taking place recently and fans can now buy alcohol at Hampden Park games. Defending his stance, Burnham told reporters: "I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point. And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done, perhaps on a trial basis. But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long-held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently from others." Helen Whately told the Press Association: "We will have to look at what the Prime Minister is suggesting on alcohol at football matches. Then-Home Secretary Brittan said that alcohol was a 'major contributory factor in violent and disorderly behaviour' in football grounds."

Burnham replied: I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different. And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis. But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently." The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales."