Article

Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England

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Citation

Purves R, Critchlow N, Giulianotti R, Hunt K, Morrow S & Bancroft A (2022) Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 46 (2), pp. 199-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/01937235211067192

Abstract
Availability of alcohol at football matches in the UK is much debated and subject to multiple restrictions, yet there is little understanding of supporters’ attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of football supporters in Scotland and England (n  =  1750) was conducted April–June 2019. Most supporters viewed drinking at matches as acceptable (74.4%) and thought alcohol should be available at grounds (76.0%); around two-fifths thought most supporters consumed alcohol before matches (44.1%); but only a quarter (26.6%) thought disorder at matches was due to alcohol. Attitudes varied by supporter characteristics: supporters who were younger, in England, or more regular match-goers were more favourable towards alcohol consumption and availability at matches. We conclude that alcohol regulations in some nations and sports – where restrictions are based on historical disorder – may no longer be appropriate.

Keywords
Football; alcohol; attitudes; supporters; regulations

Journal
Journal of Sport and Social Issues: Volume 46, Issue 2

StatusPublished
FundersESRC Economic and Social Research Council
Publication date01/04/2022
Publication date online23/12/2021
Date accepted by journal20/11/2021
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/33793
ISSN0193-7235
eISSN1552-7638

People (3)

Dr Nathan Critchlow

Dr Nathan Critchlow

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor, Institute for Social Marketing

Dr Richard Purves

Dr Richard Purves

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

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