CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Tar Heel basketball fans will soon be able to buy alcohol at games.
The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced Thursday that beer and wine will be sold at the school’s two basketball venues this season. Sales at the Smith Center will start with the men’s season opener against Elon on Nov. 4, while sales at Carmichael Arena, where the women play their home games, will begin later in the month. Alcohol will also be sold at Olympic sports events at Carmichael, the school said.
“Beer and wine will be offered at 20 locations at the Smith Center and up to six locations at Carmichael, depending on the event,” the athletic department said in a release. “Like sales at outdoor venues, which began in 2019, student sections will be closely monitored, and per state law, up to two alcoholic beverages may be served per customer per transaction.”
According to UNC, sales will start once doors open and end once about three-fourths of an event is complete. For men’s basketball games, that means sales will end halfway through the second 20-minute half. For women’s basketball games, beer and alcohol will no longer be sold once the fourth quarter begins.
“Many of our fans have asked us to expand alcohol sales to our indoor events, and after five years, we think the time is right,” UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham said. “Not only is it consistent with many other events around the country, including NCAA championships and ACC tournaments, but it also adds a key financial stream as we prepare for revenue sharing with student-athletes.”