Euro 2024 alcohol ban plan 'scrapped' and England fans can drink cheap lager at opener

The idea of an alcohol ban at England's opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia has been scrapped by German organisers. The Three Lions are set to kick off their tournament in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, June 16, joined by their passionate support.

Initially, the event was slated to be alcohol-free, with the chief of police aiming to prevent fans from consuming alcohol within the stadium and public areas of the city. This proposal irked fans and Bitburger, the official beer of the Euros, which invested millions to vend beverages at stadiums and official fan zones.

However, this plan has now been discreetly abandoned, allowing England supporters to savour a few beers before watching Gareth Southgate's team at the Veltins Arena, Schalke's home ground. Although drinking from seats is common in German domestic football, it will not be allowed during the Euros.

Fans will only be permitted to purchase two beers at a time inside the stadium and must finish them before taking their seats. Additionally, there will be restrictions on selling alcohol in glass bottles in Gelsenkirchen.

Football fans will be pleased with the news, as an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 England supporters are expected to flock to Gelsenkirchen for the inaugural Group C match.

Peter Both, Director of Security Operations, fanned the flames of anticipation this past December when he revealed to the Daily Mirror: "We're discussing the possibility of banning alcohol in the stadium and I make no secret of it. Through the spectacles of someone responsible for security and in charge of police deployment on that day, I would find it good.

"We are also currently checking at the moment to what extent we can apply banning alcohol in public places. In principle you're free to drink alcohol on the street in Germany, but in big areas where fans gather in overfilled spaces we want to forbid it."

Local brand Bitburger, a reasonable 4.8 per cent beer, is projected to retail for much less than UK fans may be accustomed to - approximately £4 per pint. With German beer known for packing a stronger punch than its English counterparts, a note of caution has been echoed by the Foreign Office.

The announced reminder states explicitly: "Beer can be stronger than in the UK, so drink responsibly, know your limits and respect local laws," it warned. "You may not be let into the stadium if you drink too much."

Peter Both further added, "It's important all police in Germany adopt a mindset of seeing the fans as peaceful rather than a threat, but we will react if something happens and we're prepared for that.

"You can't exclude the fact that some will be coming with the intention of causing riots. My message to England fans is we will be prepared. If anyone does try to cause serious trouble we will move quickly and they will be sent home."

While fans have also been warned that those caught wearing any fake replica England shirts could face a whopping fine of up to £4,000.