ANN ARBOR — As the Michigan Wolverines defend their national championship title at the season opener this month, fans at Michigan Stadium will, for the first time, be able to purchase alcohol during the games.

An individual involved in the new arrangement discussed the details with MLive on Tuesday.

Attendees can look forward to a selection that includes beer, wine, and several canned cocktails available at various concession stands throughout the stadium. A more extensive bar service will be provided at the club and suite levels, featuring offerings from five different Michigan breweries such as Founders, with two based in Ann Arbor, and at least one imported beer option.

According to Michael Jordan, the general manager of Sodexo, which manages food services for Michigan athletics, a 16-ounce beer will be priced at $12.25. He is not affiliated with the famous Michael Jordan known for the logo on the Wolverines’ uniforms.

A glass of wine served from a box will cost around $10. The price of a canned cocktail, similar to a High Noon, is still to be determined but might be approximately $15.

At Michigan Stadium, while gates and many concessions open two hours before kickoff, alcohol sales will not begin until one hour prior to kickoff and will cease early in the fourth quarter.

During the eight home games this fall, alcohol will be available at various locations around the Big House, excluding the main concession stands which were traditionally manned by volunteers from nonprofits for fundraising purposes, such as church groups or Boy Scouts. According to Jordan, these groups have raised about $2,000 per game; last season, Michigan distributed over $1 million to these groups, and there is currently a waiting list for game day volunteering opportunities.

As per NCAA regulations, nonprofit organizations are prohibited from selling alcohol at events, resulting in 400 dedicated staff members who will handle alcohol sales at the Michigan Stadium. These concessions might also offer certain snacks, like peanuts.

Managing beer sales in an almost century-old stadium that accommodates around 110,000 fans per game presents unique challenges, such as the absence of a walk-in refrigerator. To address this, Sodexo will need to hire extra equipment to facilitate the new service.

Research indicates that making alcohol available at sports events can diminish the incidence of alcohol-related problems. This is thought to be because fans may not feel compelled to excessively pre-drink before attending. However, concerns remain. At Michigan Stadium, proof of age will allow a patron to purchase no more than two alcoholic beverages at a time and they will be given a wristband to help staff monitor alcohol consumption in the seating areas. Additionally, vendors will be trained to recognize when they should refuse to serve more drinks to a fan.

This year marks the first occasion that Michigan has sold alcoholic beverages at Crisler Center and Yost Ice Arena events starting in February. According to Jordan, the introduction was successful with few issues arising and he observed an increase in the lively atmosphere during hockey matches due to the availability of beer.

With the introduction of alcohol at Michigan Stadium, an escalation in excitement is inevitable.

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