Beer sale policy outlined ahead of 2022 Qatar World Cup

Organisers of the 2022 Fifa World Cup have reached agreement on the rules governing the sale of alcoholic beer during the staging of this year’s tournament in Qatar.

Qatar’s staging of the 2022 tournament had opened up questions regarding the role of alcohol at the event. Qatar has stringent regulations concerning the consumption of alcohol, but following the award of the hosting rights in 2010, World Cup organisers stated that fans would be able to drink at the event in special fan-zones set up for visitors.

Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament, will serve beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each stadium, but not in the stadium stands or concourse, a WC22 source said.

Alcohol challenge

This year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organisers of an event sponsored by a major beer brand and often associated with beer-drinking fans.

“Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle,” the source said.

Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year’s World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010. While not a “dry” state like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar.

Visitors cannot bring alcohol into Qatar, even from airport duty free, and they cannot buy alcohol at the country’s only liquor store, on the outskirts of Doha. Only foreign residents with permits can shop there for home consumption. Visitors can drink at a few dozen licensed hotels and clubs in the country and expect to pay over the odds for a pint of beer.

Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer, Budweiser Zero, in stadium concourses and stands during games and at other fan sites, the source said