Beer to Be Sold at Terrapins Sport Venues This Fall

In what University of Maryland leaders have billed as an effort to switch from unsafe binge drinking to healthier social drinking, fans at Terrapins games will be able to buy beer at the venues.

The Prince George’s County Liquor Board recently approved a one-year trial program that allows the university to sell alcohol to spectators at sporting events, reports WUSA. The decision lets UMD sell beer during events at Byrd Stadium and the Xfinity Center, starting with the first home football game in the fall.

If the trial period goes well, the school could add wine to the menu.

“This is all about responsible drinking and safe drinking in a closely monitored environment,” University President Wallace Loh told WTOP. “With very trained vendors, with police officers and security people all over the place to make sure that it is lawful and orderly.”

The estimated $500,000 in revenue that the university could bring in would be spent on programs to curb binge drinking and sexual assaults.

Employees will use black lights and scanners to verify IDs at games, The Diamondback student newspaper reports, as a way to ensure only spectators of legal drinking age are served. A designated driver and cab program will be promoted to encourage responsible drinking.