Quatar is to allow restricted beer sales at the FIFA Word-Cup in Quatar, which will be held this year for the first time in a Muslim country. While beer sales and consumption will be forbidden during the matches, it will be allowed for a limited time before and after each match. The choice of beer is restricted to Budweiser (AB InBev), which is a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament.
"Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle," a source told Reuters. The beer will be served within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each stadium, but not in the stadium stands or concourse.
In addition, beer, champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits will be served in VIP lounges at the stadiums and beer can be consumed during evenings at the official “Fan Festival,” which will take place in a downtown Doha park from 6:30 pm to 1:00 am.
While the conditions of beer sales are now settled, the price of the beer is still to be decided, according to the source.
The kick-off of the event is on Nov. 20 and it will last for 29 days, ending shortly before Christmas.
