Fans traveling to France next year to watch the Olympics will not be allowed to drink alcohol in the stands. According to the newspaper Le Parisien, the organizers of Paris 2024 have decided not to ask for exemptions so that fans can drink during the most important multi-sports event in the world.
The sale and distribution of alcohol has been prohibited in French sports venues since the Evin law was passed in 1991. However, in one of its articles, the derogation is allowed a maximum of ten times a year, provided that the authorization of the mayor of the city where the event is held is obtained.
That is why it is not strange to see French fans with beers in hand, especially at rugby matches. In fact, at the men’s rugby World Cup to be held next autumn (from September 8 to October 28) spectators will be able to drink drinks such as wine, beer, cider… with a maximum graduation of 18 degrees (belonging to the group 3).
The majority must adhere to the regulations… but there are exceptions. Fans who can afford access to the VIP area will enjoy unlimited alcohol. They will have at their disposal “a high-end selection of champagne, spirits, wines and beers,” explains the organizing committee in its hospitality section of its website.
The ‘trick’ to bypass the Evin law in these cases is because VIP areas generally have restaurant or catering licences, which makes it possible to offer premium customers this service. This exception surprised the then French Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn, in 2019. In an interview, she claimed to be unaware of it and was ironic about the contradiction that only some can drink in stadiums. “Perhaps we should ask ourselves if alcohol should be removed from the VIP boxes.”
You have to remember that in Spain, for example, you don’t drink any type of alcoholic beverage in stadiums either. On the other hand, in privileged areas you can enjoy an alcoholic drink.
