Fans of watching college athletes duke it out under the blinding lights of Arizona Stadium will now be able to enjoy a cold one in the stands.

That's because the University officially announced its intention to sell both beer and wine inside the stadium, starting with the Wildcats' home opener against Brigham Young University on Sept. 1.

The move, which comes in the months after the University's announcement of beer and wine sales at nearby McKale Center, will allow loyal Wildcat fans to buy their favorite beverages inside the stadium.

Arizona Stadium already sold both beer and wine, but only in the reserved club sections. The beverages will now be available to all 21+ fans.

Arizona is the fourth Pac-12 Conference school, after ASU, Oregon State and Washington State to sell beer and wine at sporting events.

Now the venue, which opened its doors in 1928, joins baseball's Hi Corbett Field and McKale as a full-scale outlet of alcoholic vending, a move that Director of Athletics Dave Heeke believes will boost fan turnout this fall.

The other improvements, which include additional in-game performances by the Pride of Arizona marching band and the $25 million renovation of the lower east side of the stadium, are among the first wave of investments made in the venerable venue.

Other revelations, such as the acceptance of credit cards at all concession stands in Arizona Stadium and the addition of new public address announcer Jeff Dean were revealed in the University's release on Thursday.

The Wildcats will show off their new digs, alcohol and all, against the Cougars at 7:45 p.m. Arizona time on September 1.

Tickets can be purchased for the BYU contest online, or by phone at 621-2287.