27-6-2023 (PARIS) VIPs attending the Paris Olympics will be able to enjoy champagne, but the average fan will have to make do with soft drinks and water as organisers have decided not to seek an exemption to the law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in stadiums. According to a Paris 2024 spokesperson, alcohol has been banned from sale to the general public inside stadiums in France since 1991 under Evin’s Law, and Games organisers had not sought an exemption. The law allows an exemption for 10 events per organiser per year per municipality.
Organising more than 700 competition sessions over 15 days of the competition, Paris 2024 would have required a change in the law for an event the size of the Olympics. “It is the strict application of French law that allows catering services that include the provision of alcohol to operate in hospitality areas as they are governed by a separate law on catering,” the spokesperson added.
Although beer and wine were available at the 2012 and 2016 Games in London and Rio de Janeiro, alcohol was also banned from stadiums at the COVID-19 delayed Summer Olympics in Tokyo. However, events were eventually held without spectators due to the pandemic.
Fortunately, there is good news for fans travelling to France for this year’s Rugby World Cup, as organisers have negotiated an exemption for the tournament, which will be staged in September and October.
