Alcohol Banned From General Public at Paris Olympics, Organizers Say

A French law prohibits the sale of alcohol at stadiums and gymnasiums.

Fans who attend the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will not be allowed to drink alcohol at competition venues unless they’re VIPs, a spokesperson confirmed to USA Today Sports. 

The ban is a result of Evin’s law, a 1991 statute regarding alcohol. French law prohibits the sale or distribution of alcohol in “stadiums, physical education rooms, gymnasiums” and other sports establishments. However, there are different rules for catered hospitality areas—which would include VIP suites. 

“Paris 2024 has not sought an exemption from this law,” the spokesperson said in a statement provided to USA Today Sports. “Such an exemption would have required a change in the law for an event the size of the Games.”

The men’s World Cup in Qatar did not sell alcohol to the general public, but it was available to VIPs. The 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo had no alcohol sales, but that was because there were no fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beer and wine were available in stadiums at the two previous Summer Olympics. 

The Paris Olympics will begin on July 26, 2024.