São Paulo authorities reach deal to lift beer ban at stadiums

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Central do Timão

·30 settembre 2025

São Paulo authorities reach deal to lift beer ban at stadiums

By Daniel Keppler / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The São Paulo government, State Public Prosecutor's Office, Military Police, and Public Defender's Office have reached an agreement to allow the sale of beer in stadiums. The measure depends on the approval of a new law in the Legislative Assembly (Alesp), which held a public hearing on the matter this Monday, 29. This is because a similar municipal law from 1997 will also need to be revoked. The information was initially released by Estadão.

During the hearing, Deputy Delegado Olim (PP) announced that he had received a draft of the government project from Tarcísio de Freitas: "Secretary Artur Lima just sent me a government project that was agreed with the Military Police, the Public Defender's Office, and the Public Prosecutor's Office to have drinks in the stadiums. They are interested. We [should] make a collective and everyone get in together. I'm sure the people connected to the evangelicals won't get in the way, they also like to drink."

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Photo: Reproduction/Corinthians

The ban has been in effect since 1996, resulting from a clash between fans at Pacaembu in 1995. The original state legislation prohibited the carrying and sale of flagpoles, fireworks, and alcoholic beverages. In 2003, the Fan Statute established a national restriction by prohibiting "carrying objects, drinks or substances prohibited or likely to generate or enable acts of violence".

After the exceptional permission in the 2014 World Cup, states began to revoke their prohibitions. In 2019, Alesp approved a project in this sense, but it was vetoed by Governor João Doria for alleged unconstitutionality. In 2020, the STF recognized the constitutionality of similar state laws, paving the way for a new debate in São Paulo.

Colonel Lemos, Executive Secretary of Sports, detailed the conditions under which consumption will be possible - except in base tournaments, where the prohibition remains: "We agreed that spectators will not be able to enter with alcoholic beverages purchased outside the stadiums. The drinks will have a maximum graduation control and packaging only in plastic or biodegradable containers up to 600 ml. Each fan will be able to consume a maximum of two."

Meanwhile, the president of FPF, Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, highlighted economic benefits: "This generates revenue for the clubs, for the workers who will serve inside the stadiums, for the owners of canteens, for the beer manufacturers and for the state". São Paulo's legal director, Wagner Hipper, pointed out inequality: "When São Paulo goes to Rio de Janeiro to play against Flamengo, they exploit the commercialization. And when they come to São Paulo, we cannot exploit this revenue. This brings an injustice to São Paulo football."

The Gaviões da Fiel, the largest organized fan group of Corinthians, participated in a public hearing on the subject. In a social media post, they detailed their participation: "Today, we were at the São Paulo Legislative Assembly participating in the public hearing that debated the return of beer sales inside the stadiums. The presence of Corinthians' organized groups was important, as we were able to start a debate on other issues, including the prohibition of flagpoles and parties in the stadiums."

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