Aberdeen granted alcohol licence for upcoming Premiership match | OneFootball

An interesting development this evening with the news that Aberdeen FC has been granted an alcohol licence for their home match at Pittodrie against Kilmarnock on Sunday 14 December – the same day that St Mirren and Celtic meet at Hampden Park in the Premier Sports Cup Final.

Aberdeen and Celtic fans during the Scottish Premiership match at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO).

Aberdeen announced the new stating that the aim of the initiative is to gather insight into how a carefully managed approach to alcohol sales can support a positive and safe matchday experience for supporters. The licence will apply only to home supporters at the match.

The sale of alcohol has been banned at Scottish grounds since the 1980 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers which ended in a pitch invasion and subsequently a riot after Celtic won the match 1-0 in extra-time.

If you were old enough to legally consume alcohol at that match then you will now be at least in your early sixties and the any alcohol in the ground at that match was brought through the turnstiles as carry-outs, very different from the situation Aberdeen fans will experience next month.

Ariel view of Pittodrie Stadium after the match, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Firhill has sold alcohol when rugby matches have been played at the stadium and of course alcohol is freely available at Murrayfield.

Hopefully this scheme will produce positive results and football fans in Scotland, a happens elsewhere in Europe, will be able to enjoy a drink or two while watching a match. At the recent Europa League match the volume of empty cans and bottles littering the area outside the entrances for the Austrian fans was incredible.

Here is the statement as posted on the Aberdeen FC website.

Aberdeen granted alcohol licence for upcoming William Hill Premiership match

Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. Pittodrie. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Geo – The Celtic Star

Aberdeen can confirm that our upcoming home fixture in the William Hill Premiership against Kilmarnock on Sunday 14 December (kick-off 3:00pm) has been granted a licence by Aberdeen City Council for the sale of alcohol at this match.

The Richard Donald Stand Lower concourse area at Pittodrie will offer alcohol for purchase before kick-off at the game. This will only be available to home fans, and these sales will be managed in full accordance with licensing laws, with appropriate security and stewarding in place.

The aim of the initiative is to gather insight into how a carefully managed approach to alcohol sales can support a positive and safe matchday experience for supporters, as part of wider work taking place across Scottish football to improve fan engagement and enhance the overall stadium environment.

Supporters are reminded that alcohol may only be consumed within clearly designated areas and not in sight of the pitch, and all sales will take place in clearly defined, monitored areas of the stadium. Matchday operations, stewarding and safety planning will remain consistent with our usual high standards.

We hope this will add to the enjoyment of the matchday experience for supporters and would like to pass on our thanks to fans for their continued support and cooperation. We’ll provide further information closer to the match.