Premium hospitality expanded at Allen Fieldhouse for 2019-20 season; no addition of general alcohol sales
LAWRENCE, Kan. – With the opening of the new Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, Kansas Athletics will expand premium hospitality offerings at Allen Fieldhouse for the 2019-20 season. However, alcohol sales will not be available in public spaces throughout the iconic venue this season.
“Since 1955, the Jayhawks have called Allen Fieldhouse home and created the best home-court advantage in all of college basketball,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “While the sale of beer and wine has been a success at other athletic venues, this is not the time to add that to the seating area of Allen Fieldhouse. We arrived at this decision after a tremendous amount of research and feedback from our fans as well as reviewing the space feasibility. The atmosphere inside Allen Fieldhouse is second to none, so preserving that will always be of the highest priority.”
Alcohol will continue to be offered to Williams Education Fund members in the existing private club spaces including the Naismith Room and Donor Atrium. Alcohol sales will also continue in the DeBruce Center for donors at the All-American through Hall of Fame levels. New this season, the mezzanine located inside the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena will also be available for alcohol sales to season ticket members at the Legend level and above.
“Our private spaces have been at or near capacity for several seasons and the addition of the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena will provide more hospitality benefits for our members,” said Ryan White, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development. “We will continue to look at areas where we can provide additional benefits and more private amenities to our membership.”
KU will re-open the doors to Allen Fieldhouse on Friday night for the annual Late Night in the Phog. Last week, Kansas Basketball announced 19-time Grammy nominee and seven-time platinum album rapper Snoop Dogg will be the headline act at Late Night.
Coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks will tip off the exhibition season on Oct. 24 vs. Fort Hays State and the regular season on November 5 in Madison Square Garden for the annual Champions Classic.
“I know Jeff and his team did a great job researching the positives and negatives of alcohol sales in Allen Fieldhouse, and I like where we are headed,” said Self. “We have the greatest fans in America and the best setting and traditions in all of basketball.”
The women’s basketball team kicks off their exhibition season against Pittsburg State on October 27. “Late Night is always a thrill for our team to be a part of the energy and to spend some time with the best fans in the country,” said Head Coach Brandon Schneider. “Snoop will be an added bonus.”
As is the tradition at Late Night, fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which Kansas Athletics will donate to Just Food of Douglas County. Late Night in the Phog is Just Food’s biggest collection event throughout the year. Non-perishable food and monetary donations supporting Just Food will be accepted throughout the day.
To purchase tickets for the upcoming 2019-20 season, visit KUAthletics.com or call 785-864-3141. For more information on gaining access to private hospitality spaces at Allen Fieldhouse, call the Williams Education Fund at 855-GIVE-WEF or email at WEF@ku.edu.
