The off-season is when teams typically will review certain policy and see what changes make sense for the upcoming season. At Kansas State, it seems like the University is taking a serious look at its alcohol policy. As noted in the Topeka Capital-Journal this week, the Wildcats administration took specific notice of its alcohol policy when K-State pulled to within a score of top-ranked Texas Tech in November, but the stands remained surprisingly empty. Why? Because fans were tailgating back at their cars as they considered whether or not to return into the stadium for the remainder of the game.
Kansas State is in the midst of a study that could result in alcohol sales throughout the entirety of Bill Snyder Family Stadium by 2027, while also exploring options for its re-entry policies.
K-State has had its current policy in place for a few years. In 2021, a year after expanding access to beer and alcohol, the university said in August of that year that it would return to a previous policy that limited alcohol sales to specific areas such as club seating and beer gardens.
At that time, Athletic Director Gene Taylor said the change comes after 60% of fans who answered a survey said they preferred limited beer sales and a combined exit/re-entry over beer sales at every concession stand and no re-entry.
But now, the Wildcats may be, once again, taking a look at some changes to the alcohol policy. Most Big 12 teams do not allow re-entry into games like Kansas State does. But if they were to bring back alcohol sales around the stadium, with more options and locations, the re-entry rule may ultimately go away.
