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CenturyLink Field seeks hard liquor for fans

SEATTLE — The Seahawks and Sounders want to expand hard liquor sales to every adult fan. KIRO 7 investigators learned of a new proposal that would let spirits flow freely at CenturyLink Field.

There's always been plenty of beer at the stadium but hard liquor has been off limits except in secure, club-level areas.

Next season, First and Goal Inc., the corporate manager of CenturyLink, would like all football and soccer fans of age to have access to hard alcohol. But that decision is ultimately up to the state Liquor Control Board.

Plans on file with state regulators request approval for about 20 new "stands or points of sale" for "spirits".

“This does open it up for availability across the stadium but it wouldn’t be as available as beer and wine are right now,” said Justin Nordhorn, Chief Enforcement Officer at the Liquor Control Board.

Last month, KIRO 7 investigated how Seahawks security has been under reporting both violent crime and alcohol abuse inside the stadium.

And state regulators said controlling overconsumption by fans is an issue that needs to be addressed before CenturyLink gets approval for hard alcohol sales.

“One of the things we do see a lot of is pre-partying, if you will, tailgating aspects where people get intoxicated. Then, once they have more to consume inside the stadium—that creates a lot of problems,” Nordhorn said.

This past year, there was a "test run" on hard liquor purchases during UW Husky football games with no major problems reported.

The Liquor Control Board will talk about the new proposal on Thursday but a final decision could be months away.