![Fans can still get a beer at the World Cup stadiums but will have to pay an astronomical price](https://images.ladbible.com/resize?type=webp&quality=70&width=3840&fit=contain&gravity=auto&url=https://images.ladbiblegroup.com/v3/assets/bltcd74acc1d0a99f3a/blt9dfa4ad9aaf528a3/6378bc8b9816a010cf686c8b/beerstry.JPG.jpg)
Yesterday, FIFA announced that alcohol would no longer be available in stadiums for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, despite officials originally promising it would be.
The football governing body had previously said that alcohol would be sold in 'select areas within stadiums' during the controversial tournament.
But for fans heading to the Middle East, there's still a way to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at stadiums - although it certainly won't be cheap.
The only way for fans to drink alcohol at any of the eight World Cup stadiums in Qatar is by purchasing a corporate hospitality ticket, which will set you back a cool £19,000.
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It's worth noting that the sale of alcohol in Qatar is strictly controlled and is typically available in a few select hotels and bars.
But for this World Cup, FIFA and Qatari officials had agreed that fans would be able to purchase beer in stadiums and fan zones throughout the tournament.
In and around stadiums, fans would have been able to purchase alcohol from three hours before kick-off up until one hour after the final whistle.
![Changes have been made to where fans can purchase alcohol in Qatar.](https://images.ladbible.com/resize?type=webp&quality=70&width=3840&fit=contain&gravity=auto&url=https://images.ladbiblegroup.com/v3/assets/bltcd74acc1d0a99f3a/blt8cfb84961fa00a06/6378aa2458baa311878cdd17/BMMCH3.jpg)
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Fan parks will continue to sell alcohol as normal despite the change of plan from officials, though it will set fans back around £12 a pint.
A statement from FIFA following yesterday's announcement read: "Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA fan festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.
"There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums.
"Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans."
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One loser out of all of this is Budweiser - the brand has a massive £63 million deal with FIFA that means they have exclusive rights to sell beer at the World Cup.
![Budweiser have a £63 million deal with FIFA to exclusively sell beer.](https://images.ladbible.com/resize?type=webp&quality=70&width=3840&fit=contain&gravity=auto&url=https://images.ladbiblegroup.com/v3/assets/bltcd74acc1d0a99f3a/blt252d9ce3a0f3adb0/6378aa871bb87c113b2f7432/2D6127W.jpg)
Obviously, they will still be able to sell in the fan parks, and FIFA have said Budweiser Zero will still be available in stadiums - if that gives the company any comfort.
When FIFA announced it was dropping alcohol in stadiums just two days before the first game between Qatar and Ecuador, Budweiser posted a tweet saying: "Well, this is awkward".
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The beer company has since deleted the tweet and are moving their stands away from stadia in the country.