document_title: Legal drinking age

question_text: at what age can you drink in france

question_tokens: at what age can you drink in france

root

text: Legal drinking age

text: Africa[edit]

text: The most common minimum age to purchase alcohol in Africa is 18. Although it varies from the lowest age limit in Ethiopia being only 15 years, Zimbabwe with a minimum purchase age of 16 years, The Gambia with an age limit of 17 years, and Uganda where the minimum legal purchase age is 18 but minors aged 16 or 17 may consume a glass of beer, wine or cider with a meal at a restaurant. Cameroon and Egypt are the only countries in Africa with a minimum purchase age of 21 years. However Algeria, Angola (except Luando Province), Central African Republic, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, Togo, Tunisia and the Western Sahara have no laws on the book restricting the sale of alcohol to minors. In Libya, Somalia and Sudan the sale, production and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.[improper synthesis?]

tag: p

text:
Country

State/region/province

De jure

Notes

Drinking age

Purchase age

 Algeria

None (illegal to all persons)[3]

Illegal to sell, produce or consume alcohol at any age.[3]

 Angola

None (legal at any age)[3]

There is no national legislation prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.

Luanda Province

18[4]

Legislation in Luanda Province:
It is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18. It is also illegal for minors to buy and consume alcohol.[4]

 Botswana

None[5] (illegal for any person to supply)[3]

18[5]

It is illegal for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years. Because the law only applies to licensees, it is not illegal for minors to buy, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages.[5] It is also illegal for any person to expose or supply alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years.[3]

 Burundi

None[6]

18, or none (if accompanied by parent or legal guardian)[6]

It is illegal for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 years.

 Cameroon

21, or 18 (if accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older)[7]

It is illegal for any person with a liquor license to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under 18 years of age. The law permits adults from the ages 18 to 21 to consume, purchase and buy alcoholic beverages if accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older. Anyone over the age of 21 years may buy or consume alcohol unaccompanied.

 Cape Verde

None[8]

18[8]

It is illegal for any person to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.

 Central African Republic

15 (off-premises), or 21 (on-premises)[9]

It is illegal for any person to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 15 years when sold or supplied off-premises (e.g., liquor stores, wine stores, and supermarkets). It is illegal for any person to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 21 years when sold or supplied on-premises (e.g., restaurants, bars, and cafes).[9]

 Comoros

18[10]

It is illegal for any person to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.[10]

 Egypt

21[3]

 Equatorial Guinea

21[11]

 Eritrea

None[12]

18[12]

It is illegal for any person to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years.

 Ethiopia

None[13]

15[13]

It is illegal for any person to sell, offer, serve or allow to serve alcoholic beverages "in substantial quantities" to any infant or young person. The criminal code defines a young person as any person under the age of 15 years. But the Criminal Code states: "Whoever endangers the health of another, intentionally and unscrupulously, by administering or serving, or by causing or permitting to be administered or served, to minors (defined as anyone under the age of 18 years) (...) alcoholic beverages or spirituous liquors of such kind or in such quantity as to make their injurious effect certain or probable, is punishable with simple imprisonment not exceeding one year, and fine."

 Gabon

18 (on-premises only)[14]

It is illegal for any person to sell or supply alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years when sold or supplied on-premises (e.g., restaurants, bars, and cafes).[14]

 Gambia

None[15][3]

17[15][3]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to child or young person. A "young person" is defined as anyone under the age of 17 by the Children and Young Persons Act, 1949 Section 2.

 Ghana

18[16]

 Guinea-Bissau

None[3]

 Kenya

None[17]

18[17]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Lesotho

18[18]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply any alcoholic beverage to a minor under the age of 18 years. It is also illegal for minors to consume, buy or attempt to buy alcohol.

 Liberia

None

18[3]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Libya

Illegal[19]

Previously Article 498 of the Libyan Penal Code prohibted the sale of alcoholic beverages to juveniles under the age of 16 years.[3]

 Malawi

None

18[20]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Mauritius

None

18[21]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Morocco

None[3]

 Mozambique

18[22]

 Namibia

None

18[23]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Niger

18[3]

 Nigeria

18[3]

 Republic of the Congo

None

18[24]

 Rwanda

18[3]

 Senegal

18[25]

 Seychelles

18[3]

 Somalia

Illegal[26]

 South Africa

18

The parent, adult guardian of a minor or a person responsible for administering a religious sacrament, may on occasion supply to that minor a moderate quantity of liquor to be consumed by the minor in the presence and under the supervision of that parent, guardian or other person.[27]

 South Sudan

18[3]

 Sudan

Illegal[28]

 Swaziland

18[3]

 Tanzania

None

18[29]

 Togo

None[3]

 Tunisia

None[3]

 Uganda

None[30]

1816 (wine, beer, porter, cider, perry or native liquor with meal)[30]

It is illegal for any licensee to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. The law provides an exception for anyone who is 16 or 17 years of age, and consumes a fermented alcoholic drink with a meal, in a part of a licensed premises that serves meals and is not a bar.

 Western Sahara

None[3]

 Zambia

18[31]

It is illegal for any person with a liquor license, to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under 18 years of age. Before the Liquor Licensing Act was enacted in 2011, the minimum age to sell, serve and supply alcoholic beverages was 14 years.[32]

 Zimbabwe

None[33]

16 [33]

It is illegal for any person to sell, lend, give, supply, deliver or offer alcoholic beverages to any child under the age of 16 years, except upon production of a written order signed by the parent or guardian of the child known to such person. The police has the duty to seize any alcoholice beverage in the possession of a child under the age of 16 years without a written consent of the parents or legal guardian.

tag: table

text: Americas[edit]

text: The minimum age to purchase and consume varies, but the most common age is 18 years. However, in North America the age limits varies between 18 and 21 years of age. Throughout the United States the minimum legal age to purchase any alcoholic beverage from a shop, supermarket, liquor store, bar, club or any other licensed premises is 21 years of age.  In Canada each province can decide which minimum age limit is to be set to buy or consume alcohol. Most provinces have a minimum age of 19 years, while Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec have set a minimum age of 18 years. In South America all countries have set a minimum purchase age of 18 years, except for Guyana where minors aged 16 or 17 may consume a glass of beer, wine or cider in a restaurant provided they buy a meal, and Paraguay the only country with a minimum legal purchase and drinking age of 20 years.

text:
Country

State/region/province

De jure

hideNotes

Drinking age

Purchase age

 Anguilla

None[34]

18 [34]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcoholic drinks to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violating the regulation is punished with a $9.600 fine.

 Antigua and Barbuda

None

16[35]

The sale and distribution of alcohol to a person under 16 years of age is illegal.

 Argentina

18[36]

 Bahamas

18[37]

It is illegal for any adult to sell, serve or supply any alcoholic beverage to a child (defined as anyone under the age of 18 years). The law provides an exception to treat an illness in urgent cases or upon order by a medical doctor.

 Barbados

None

16[38]

It is illegal to sell or serve any alcoholic beverage to anyone under the age of 16 years. The President of the Barbados Road Safety Association is trying to raise the drinking age to 18 years because the law is often violated.[38]

 Belize

18[39]

Drinking age is rarely enforced. IDs are almost never requested.

 Bermuda

18[40]

It is illegal to sell or serve any alcoholic beverage to a child under the age of 18 years.

 Bolivia

None[34]

18 [34]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years. Every sold alcoholic beverage has to have a warning message on the bottle or container reading: “VENTA PROHIBIDA A MENORES DE 18 AÑOS DE EDAD” (Sale prohibited to (anyone) under 18 years of age) and “EL CONSUMO EXCESIVO DE ALCOHOL ES DAÑINO PARA LA SALUD” (Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to (ones) health).

 Brazil

None[41]

18 [41]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply any alcoholic beverage to a person under 18 years of age. The presidential law enacted on March 17, 2015 made any violation of the law a criminal offence. Any adult person selling, serving, giving or supplying alcoholic beverages to a minor is punished with imprisonment of 2 to 4 years, a fine of R$3.000 to R$10.000 and a ban to operate any business selling or serving alcohol.

 British Virgin Islands

16[39]

It is illegal to sell or to supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 16.

 Canada

 Alberta Manitoba Quebec

18[42][43][44]

In Alberta no person may give or sell or permit any person to give or sell liquor to a minor in licensed premises.[42] In Manitoba a person must not give, sell or otherwise supply liquor to a minor. the law provides exceptions for a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or other health care professional for medical purposes; for sacramental purposes and by the parent, guardian, spouse or common-law partner, if it is given or supplied in a residence.[43] In Quebec the law probits the sale of alcoholic beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years.[44]

 Ontario Saskatchewan British Columbia Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Northwest Territories Yukon Nunavut

19

Ontario's Liquor Licence Act permits the supply and consumption of liquor to those under the age of 19. However, supplying a person under the age of 19 is restricted to the person's parent, or legal guardian, and may only occur in a residence or in a private place of the parent or legal guardian. A person under the age of 19 who was supplied liquor in this manner is permitted to consume the liquor only at the place where it was supplied at.[45]

 Cayman Islands

18[46]

It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is also illegal for any minor to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcoholic beverages. Violation of the lawis punished with a fine of five thousand dollars, and the court may, if the offence was committed by the licensee, order that the licensee shall forfeit his licence and that no licence may be issued to that person for a period not exceeding ten years from the date of his conviction.

 Chile

18[47]

The minimum age is 18 to enter an enclosure that sells alcoholic beverages. Selling alcohol to a minor may incur a fine. One must provide identification upon request. Residents of Chile over the age of 18 must carry their Chilean identification card issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service at all times.[48]

 Colombia

None

18[49]

The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to a minor (anyone under the age of 18 years). It is not illegal for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.[49]

 Costa Rica

None

18[50]

The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to a minor (anyone under the age of 18 years). Selling alcohol to a minor will be punished with a fine equivalent to ten basic salaries. Whoever permits minors to maintain in any establishment which main purpose is to sell alcoholic beverages, will be sanctioned with a fine equivalent to five salaries. It is not illegal for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.[50]

 Cuba

None

16[51]

The penal code prohibits any adult to induce any young person under the age of 16 years, to habitually consume alcoholic beverages. However this means that de facto anyone selling, serving or supplying alcohol should check if the buyer has attained the age of 16 years. In most cases this law is not strictly enforced.[51][52]

 Dominican Republic

None

18[53]

 Ecuador

None

18[54]

It is illegal to sell alcohol beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years of age. The law obligates establishments to place a visible notice at the point of sale and to check identification to enforce the law. However it is not illegal for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.[54]

 El Salvador

None

18[55]

It is strictly prohibited to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to a minor under the age of 18 years. Violation of the law is punished with ¢ 25,000.00 and if convicted once more the license will be suspended for a period of six months. It is legal for minors to buy, attempt to buy and consume alcohol.[55]

 Falkland Islands

18[56]

It is illegal for any adult to sell, give or provide alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years in any public place or licensed premises. Parents may permit their children to consume alcohol on private premises. Minors consuming alcohol in public are committing a criminal offence. The law provides exceptions for the consumption of alcohol by minors for prescription of or at the direction of a government medical officer or in the course of the administration of Holy Communion according to the rites of any Christian denomination.[56]

 Grenada

18[57]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply any alcoholic drink to a minor under 18 years of age. Minors under 18 years are prohibited by law, to consume alcoholic beverages in public.[57]

 Guatemala

18[58]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply any alcoholic drink to a minor under 18 years of age. Minors under 18 years are prohibited by law, to consume alcoholic beverages in public.[58]

 Guyana

18/16 for beer, wine and cider with meal[59]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to a person under 18 years of age. The law provides an exception for minors aged 16 and 17, if they consume a glass of beer, wine oder cider with a meal in a restaurant. Otherwise attempting to buy alcohol or buying alcohol as a minor is an offence.[59]

 Haiti

None

18[60]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to minors from May 17, 2017. Vendors are required to check identification.

 Honduras

18[47]

 Jamaica

None

18[61]

It is illegal to sell or serve any alcoholic beverage to a child (which is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years).[61]

 Mexico

18[47]

The minimum age to buy and consume alcoholic beverages is regulated by each state of Mexico. But all states have set a minimum age of 18 years, and in no state it is illegal for minors to buy and consume alcohol.

 Nicaragua

None

14 (restaurant)18 (bars, clubs, markets, supermarkets, sports and recreation centers)[62]

The law from 1980 prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 years. Every point of sale or establishment serving alcohol, is required to post a notice stating that the sale of alcohol to minors under 18 years of age is illegal. However the law permits children as young as 14 to purchase and consume alcohol in a restaurant  without further restrictions.[62]

 Panama

None

18[63]

 Paraguay

20[64]

According to Art. 1° of the law to "ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors", it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol or to allow the consumption by minors under 20 years of age. Furthermore, under Art 2° all public establishments selling alcohol must display a clearly legible notice in the sales area with the following text: "ESTA PROHIBIDA LA VENTA DE BEBIDAS ALCOHÓLICAS A MENORES DE VEINTE AÑOS DE EDAD" (It is illegal (prohibited) to sell alcoholic beverages to minors under 20 years of age)

 Peru

None

18[65]

 Puerto Rico

18

 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

16[66]

 Trinidad and Tobago

None

18[67]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholiv beverages to child under the age of 18 years. It is also illegal for an adult to send a child to buy alcohol on behalf. It is not illegal for children to buy or consume alcohol.[67]

 Turks and Caicos Islands

None

18[68]

It is illegal to serve or sell liquor to a young person under the age of eighteen years. Minors under the age of sixteen years may not present in a licensed premises mainly serving and selling alcoholic beverages.[68]

 United States(50 states and integral territories)

Varies by jurisdiction[47]

21[47]

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is that food is served only in the latter). Contrary to popular belief, since the act went into law, only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2010, 15 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 17 states do not ban underage consumption, and the remaining 18 states have family member or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.
Federal law explicitly provides for religious exceptions. As of 2005, 31 states have family member or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, such as Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for those under the age of 21.[69]
By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by adults 18 to 20 years of age, but a circuit court judge has said otherwise.[70]
The states of Washington and Wisconsin allows the consumption of alcohol in the presence of parents.
Some U.S. states have legislation that make providing to and possession of alcohol by persons under twenty-one a gross misdemeanor with a potential penalty of a $5,000 fine or up to a year in jail.[71]

See also: Minor in Possession and List of alcohol laws of the United States

 United States Virgin Islands

18[72]

 Uruguay

None

18[73]

Only selling alcohol to minors under the age of 18 is prohibited, consumption and purchase by minors is not illegal.

 Venezuela

None

18[74]

Only selling alcohol to minors under the age of 18 is prohibited, consumption and purchase by minors is not illegal.[74]

text: Asia[edit]

text:
Country

State/region/province

De jure

Notes

Drinking age

Purchase age

 Afghanistan

Illegal[75]

 Bahrain

No legally-determined drinking age.[76]

 Bangladesh

(Illegal for Muslims.)[77]

Alcohol will be sold to foreigners in certain locations, albeit clandestinely.[citation needed]

 Bhutan

18[78]

 Brunei

17 with restrictions, unless Muslim[47]

Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 liters of liquor and 12 cans of beer at 330 ml for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be “stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer” and is “not to be given, transferred or sold to another person.”.[47]

 Cambodia

None[79]

 China

None

18/None

Introduced in January 2006,[80]but not enforce to practice.

 Hong Kong

18[81]

The regulation is only applicable to restaurants, bars and clubs, where a liquor license is required. Private drinking is also not regulated.[citation needed]

 India

18–25 (varies by jurisdiction)[47]

Main article: Alcohol laws of IndiaConsumption of alcohol is illegal in the states of Bihar, Gujarat and Nagaland.[82]

 Indonesia

21[83]

 Iran

Illegal [47]

There is a ban on alcohol, but religious minorities may purchase small amounts from shops owned by the same religious minority.[84]

 Iraq

Illegal[85]

 Israel

None

18[47]

Israel law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors, but it does not prohibit minors to drink, although the police may confiscate alcoholic drinks consumed by minors in public.[citation needed]

 Japan

20[47]

 Jordan

18[86]

 Kazakhstan

21[87]

 Kuwait

Illegal[88]

 Kyrgyzstan

18[47]

 Lebanon

18[47]

Often unenforced and according to a global school health study, 40% of minors over 13 drink alcohol and up to 25% buy it from stores.[89]

 Macau

None[90]

 Malaysia

21

Increased from 18 to 21 in December 2017.[91]

 Maldives

Illegal except for tourists, 18[citation needed]

Sale of alcohol is limited to tourist resorts. It is illegal to sell alcohol to local Maldivians[92]

 Mongolia

18[93]

 Myanmar

None

18[94]

   Nepal

18

The legal age for consumption of alcohol in Nepal is 18. However, there are exceptions to underage consumption for purposes of religious ceremonies.[citation needed]

 North Korea

18[95]

 Oman

21

Residents need personal liquor licenses to consume alcohol in their private residences.[96][97]

 Pakistan

Illegal (18 for non-Muslims) [47]

Non-Muslim citizens may possess alcohol to be used in accordance with religious ceremonies[47]

 Palestinian Authority

16[citation needed]

Legal in most cities.[citation needed]

 Philippines

18[98]

 Qatar

Illegal[citation needed]

Muslims are allowed to purchase alcohol, but generally not allowed to consume. Non Muslims are allowed to purchase, and consume alcohol. The only legal distributor of alcohol in the country is the Qatar Distribution Company located in Doha.[citation needed]

 Saudi Arabia

Illegal

Drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Persons who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. Punishments range from heavy fines, lengthy prison terms and whippings.[citation needed]

 Singapore

None (private places, sometimes with permission from parents/guardian)18 (public places e.g. bars and restaurants)

18[47]

For convenience stores, those who pretend to be 18 years and above in a "Challenge 18" scheme will be downgraded to "Challenge 21" scheme, and after which the licences will be revoked once they pretend to be 18 years and above if it is on "Challenge 21".[citation needed]. It is illegal to purchase alcohol in Singapore or consume in a nightclub/allow entry to the nightclub under 18. Home and private drinking of alcohol is allowed, although the safest age could be 6. Parents can try a sip of alcohol at any age.[citation needed]

 South Korea

None

19[99]

The age limit for alcohol is after January 1 of the year one's age turns to 19.[99]

 Sri Lanka

21[47]

 Syria

18[citation needed]

 Taiwan

18[100]

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol.[101]
Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking,[102] or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious.[103]
One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.[104] A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 New Taiwan Dollars.[105]

 Tajikistan

18[47]

 Thailand

20[106]

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations.[106][107]

 Turkmenistan

18[47]

 United Arab Emirates

18–21 (varies by jurisdiction)[108]

Expatriate non-Muslim residents may request a liquor permit to purchase alcoholic beverages, but it is illegal for such holders to provide drinks to others.[109]
The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi (although a Ministry of Tourism by-law allows hotels to serve alcohol only to those over 21), and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (except Sharjah, where drinking alcohol is illegal).[108]
It is a punishable offence to drink, or to be under the influence of alcohol, in public.[108]

 Uzbekistan

None

20[47]

 Vietnam

18[47]

 Yemen

Illegal[citation needed]

Exception is in Aden Region where it's legal for 21 and up[citation needed]

text: Europe[edit]

text: Most countries within Europe have set 18 as the minimum age to purchase alcohol. Although Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Serbia and Switzerland (except Ticino) maintain a minimum purchase age below 18 years permitting minors either full or limited access to alcohol. In 2005,[110] 2007[111] and  recently in 2015[112] the European Union has failed to enact a law forcing member states to raise their purchase age to 18 years. But in the past years several European countries have raised their drinking/purchase age or enacted laws restricting the access to alcohol for minors:

text:
In 2002 the autonomous communities Madrid,[113] Valencia[114] and Catalonia[115] raised their minimum purchase age to 18 years. Previous to 2002 Valencia and Madrid had a minimum purchase age of 16 years, and in Catalonia minors aged 16 or 17 could purchase alcohol up to 23% ABV on and off premises.
In 2004 Denmark[116] raised its off premises purchase age from 15 to 16 years.
In November 2005 Switzerland passed its "Food and Commodities Regulation"[117] (German: Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung), introducing a ban on alcohol sales to anyone under the age of 16, even though "Alcohol Law"[118] (German: Alkoholgesetz) passed in 1980 already required a minimum age of 18 years for the retail sale of distilled spirits. Therefore, it is illegal to sell fermented alcohol (e.g. beer, wine, sparkling wine or cider) to anyone under the age of 16, and any distilled alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. Further the canton of Ticino introduced a cantonal law in 1989 banning all alcohol sales to anyone under the age of 18 years.[119]
In 2006 the autonomous community Castile and León[120] raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.
In late 2006, Gibraltar[121] lawmakers passed the "Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco and Gaming) Act 2006", which raised the minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years. But the new law made an exception: minors aged 16 or 17 can purchase and consume on premises beer, wine or cider under 15% ABV or pre-packed containers of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 5.5% ABV (e.g. alcopops).
In 2009 France[122] raised its minimum purchase age to 18 years, and fines were increased for selling or serving alcohol to a minor (up to 7,500 €). Previous to 2009 the minimum age to purchase any alcohol from off licensed premises was 16 years. In order to purchase alcohol on premises the minimum age was 16 years for low alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, cider, perry, mead, crème de cassis and juices from fermented fruits or vegetables that contain 1.2 to 3° alcohol, natural sweet wines from controlled cultivation – to purchase or be served stronger alcoholic drinks one had to be 18 years of age.
In October 2009, the government of Malta[123] passed a new law raising its drinking and purchase age from 16 to 17 years.
In 2010 the autonomous community of Galicia raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.[124]
In 2011 Denmark[125] passed a new law, raising the minimum age for off-premises sale of alcohol >16.5% ABV to 18 years of age. The age to purchase alcohol <16.5% ABV remaines at 16.
Italy raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 in 2012. Previously Italy did not have a purchase age for off-premises sales, and the minimum age of 16 years for on premises sales was barely enforced.[126]
In 2013 the government of Portugal restricted alcohol sales to young people: distilled spirits can not be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and other alcohol (e.g. beer, wine or cider) can't be sold to anyone under the age of 16. Previously the minimum age for all kinds of alcoholic beverages was 16 years.[127]
As of 1 January 2014, the minimum legal purchase and consumption age was raised from 16 to 18 in the Netherlands. Previously young people over the age of 16 could purchase and consume alcohol <15% ABV, and adults aged 18 and over could purchase alcohol over 15% ABV.[128]
As of March 2015, the autonomous community of Asturias raised its drinking age from 16 to 18 years. Asturias was Spain's last community with a drinking age of 16 years. The new law brings the drinking age into line with the rest of Spain.[129]
As of 1 January 2018, Lithuania raised its minimum drinking age from 18 to 20 years.[130]

text:
Country

State/region/province

De jure

Notes

Drinking age

Purchase age

 Albania

18[47]

 Andorra

18[97]

 Armenia

None[131]

18[131]

There are no laws mandating alcohol vendors to ID potential underage drinkers. ID checks are very rarely, if ever, carried out[131]

 Austria

 Burgenland  Lower Austria Vienna

16

[132]

 Carinthia Upper Austria Salzburg Styria Tyrol Vorarlberg

16 (beer, wine and cider)18 (distilled beverages)

Carinthia also requires adolescents to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.[132]

 Azerbaijan

None[133]

18[133]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to a minor under 18 years of age.[133]

 Belarus

None[134]

18[134]

The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years. However, the law is rarely enforced.[134]

 Belgium

None[135]

16 (beer, wine and cider) 18 (spirits)[135]

Since 10 January 2010, it is illegal to "sell, serve, or offer" any form of distilled alcohol to those under the age of 18 or any alcoholic drink to those under 16. So fermented drinks like beer or wine are permitted above 16.[135] Previously, it was illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to under-16s, but accompanying adults could buy drinks for them.

 Bosnia and Herzegovina

None[136]

18[136]

Selling alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years is an offence. The law does not prohibit minors from buying, attempting to buy or consuming alcohol.[136]

 Bulgaria

None[137]

18[137]

By law, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to any child under the age of 18. There is no restrictions for minors consuming alcohol.[137]

 Croatia

None[138]

18[138]

It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age. There is no minimum age to buy or consume alcohol by law.[138]

 Cyprus

None[139]

17[139]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 17 years. There is no minimum age to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol in public.[139]

 Czech Republic

None

18[140]

It is illegal to provide alcohol to minors[141] (punishable by fine or up to 1[142] or 2[143] year(s) imprisonment). Consumption itself is not prohibited by law.[144]

 Denmark

None

16 (<16.5% ABV)  18 (≥16.5% ABV)

While there is no age requirement for drinking alcohol in Denmark, there are laws that prevent minors from buying alcohol:
In order to buy alcohol above 1.2% and below 16.5% ABV in stores, one must be 16 years of age.
In order to buy alcohol above 16.5% ABV in stores, one must be 18 years of age.[145]
By tradition, youths are privately allowed to drink alcohol after their confirmation.[146] If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID card and is identified having sold alcohol to an underage, it is subject to fine. A national ID card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification.[147] This card is rarely used though since a passport or drivers license is more commonly used.[148]
Both the legal drinking and purchasing age in the Faroe Islands is 18.[citation needed]

 Estonia

18[149]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. Alcohol found in possession of any child can be confiscated by the police.

 Finland

18 (possession and purchase of 1.2–22% ABV)20 (for possession and purchase of 23–80% ABV)18 (for all in bars, clubs and restaurants)[150]

All major grocery chains have implemented a policy to ask for ID if the customer looks under 30.[151] Stores may refuse to sell alcohol if the customer is accompanied by a minor, or if proxy purchasing is suspected.  Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is a criminal offence.[150][152]
Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy any alcoholic beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and social authorities, who may intervene with child welfare procedures. In addition, those aged 15 or above are subject to a fine.[153]
In private, offering alcohol to a minor is considered a criminal offence if it results in drunkenness and the act can be deemed reprehensible as a whole, considering the minor's age, degree of maturity and other circumstances.[150]

 France

None

18

France has no explicitly stated consumption age,[154] but selling alcohol to a minor (under 18) is illegal[155] and can be fined 7500 euros.[154] This age was raised from 16 to 18 in 2009.[156][157]

 Georgia

None[158]

18[158]

By Georgian law, the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years is prohibited.[158]

 Germany

14(beer, wine and cider if accompanied)16 (beer, wine and cider)18 (spirits and aliments containing spirits above negligible amounts)[159]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply fermented alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, cider and sparkling wine) to anyone under 16 years of age. However this age limit drops down to 14 if a minor is accompanied by his parent or legal guardian. It is generally illegal to serve, sell or supply any beverage containing spirits and aliments containing spirits above negligible amounts, to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violation of the "Protection of Young Persons Act" can be fined up to €50.000.See also: Alcohol laws in Germany

 Gibraltar

None[160]

1816 (beer, wine and cider)[160]

It is illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to anyone under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions. The minimum age to be served in licensed premises is 16 if:[160]
The alcoholic beverage is beer, wine or cider below 15% ABV, or
The alcoholic beverage is served in a bottle, or a pre-packaged container below 5.5% ABV.

 Greece

None[161]

18[161]

In 2008, the consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited for minors in public. However, the law does not apply to private events or private premises.[161]

 Hungary

18[47]

 Iceland

None

20[162][163]

Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not an offence, but supplying them with alcohol is.

 Ireland

None (on private residence with permission from parents or guardians)[164]

18[164]

It is illegal for minors to buy alcohol or for a third party to attempt to buy it for minors. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for anybody under the age of consent without permission from their guardians.[165]

 Italy

None [166]

18[167][166]

In 2012 the then Health Minister Renato Balduzzi proposed to raise the age to 18.[166] Selling alcohol to those under the age of 18 in shops carries a fine between €250 and €1000. Serving alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 16 is a criminal offense and is punished with prison up to one year, if the individual is 16 or 17 it will be treated as an offense that is fined between €250 and €1000 (Legge n. 189/2013).

 Kosovo

None[citation needed]

 Latvia

None[168]

18[168]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to any minor under the age of 18 years. There is no minimum age to consume or possess alcohol.[168]

 Liechtenstein

16 beer, wine and cider18 spirits and spirit-based beverages[169]

Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks sometimes without spirits may be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops may be sold only to people at least 18.[169]

 Lithuania

20[130]

It is illegal to sell, serve or supply alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 20 years. Persons under the age of 20 are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages or from possessing them. The minimum age was raised from 18 to 20 in 2018.[130]

 Luxembourg

None [170]

16[170]

It is illegal to sell or serve alcoholic beverages >1.2% ABV to any person under the age of 16 years. Violation is fined €251 to €1.000.[170]

 Macedonia

18[171]

Must show an ID card upon request. In certain smaller places, such as family-owned convenience stores and street kiosks, there is little to no enforcement on how old or young somebody purchases alcohol. There is little to no enforcement for drinking privately, but drinking in bars may require an ID.

 Malta

17[172]

Must provide identification upon request.

 Moldova

None[173]

18[173]

It is illegal to sell, or serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol. The minimum purchase age was raised from 16 to 18 in 2012.[174][173]

 Montenegro

18[citation needed]

 Netherlands

18

The legal age for purchasing and consumption of alcoholic beverages was raised from 16 to 18 since 2014. Alcohol is commonly available upon parental permission. Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 is illegal, buying alcoholic beverages for someone else under the age of 18 is also illegal.[citation needed]

 Norway

None[175]

18 (<22%)  20 (≥22% ABV)[47]

Selling alcohol to or buying alcohol for minors is illegal. Minors are defined as under 18 for beer and wine, under 20 for drinks that contain 22% ABV or more. Minors who buy alcohol are not held criminally responsible; instead, the crime lies with those who sold it or obtained it for them.
Alcohol with more than 60% ABV is generally not sold in Norway, although exceptions may be made by the government for specific products.[176]
Alcohol possessed by minors may be confiscated as evidence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in recreational areas.[177]

 Poland

None[178]

18[178]

Article 15 of The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism[179] clearly states that buyers or persons being served must be at least 18 and prove it with ID if they look like they may not be at least that age. There is no mention of consumption age in this or any other act in Poland. Drinking in public places, with the exception of designated drinking zones, is illegal regardless of age.

 Portugal

None[180]

18[180]

 Romania

None

18[181]

According to law 61/1991 updated in 2008, paragraphs 21-25, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to minors.

 Russia

None

18[182]

There is no law or regulation in Russia that prohibits minors from consuming alcohol, but selling alcohol to minors is prohibited by federal and additional regional laws.

 San Marino

16[97]

 Serbia

None

16[183]

 Slovakia

18[184]

 Slovenia

None

18[185]

There is no law regulating the possession and consumption, but it is illegal to sell or offer alcohol of any kind to minors.

 Spain

18

Asturias was the last autonomous community in Spain where the drinking age was increased to 18 (previously 16) on 1 May 2015.[186]

 Sweden

None

None (less than 2.25% ABV)
18 (bars and restaurants)
18 (2.25%–3.5% ABV in food shops)
20 (Systembolaget shops),[187]

See also: Alcohol in SwedenIt is legal for anyone at any age to drink, but it is illegal to supply anyone under the age of 20, any beverage containing more than 3.5%ABV, and supply anyone under the age of 18 beer containing more than 2.25%ABV, except in a venue licensed to sell alcohol, who are allowed to sell alcohol to anyone over 18. It is also legal to serve an underage person alcohol in a private place, provided it's a limited amount and done in moderation.[188]  The reason for lower limit in bars than in Systembolaget shops is that bartenders have a legal responsibility for how drunk a guest gets.

  Switzerland

  Switzerland (federal law)

None(See notes)

16 (fermented alcoholic drinks with less than 15% ABV and natural wines with less than 18% ABV)[189] 18 (spirits) [190]

Whoever offers or supplies alcoholic beverages to a child under the age of 16 years in an amount which is harmful to one's health is punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine.[191] Whoever sells or supplies spirits to a person under the age of 18 years is punished with a fine up to 10.000 CHF.[192]

 Ticino

18

The canton Ticino prohibits selling and consumption of any type of alcohol by minors under the age of 18. Some shops and supermarkets may not sell alcohol to minors under the age of 18.[193]

 Turkey

18[47]

See also: Alcohol laws of Turkey

 Ukraine

18[47]

 United Kingdom

 England   Wales

18[194]16 (beer, wine or cider with meal)[194]5 (private)[195]None (under medical supervision, or in an emergency)[195]

Legislation in  England and  Wales:
It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages on licensed premises under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions:[194]
Minors aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal, and accompanied by an adult.[194]
It is legal to sell liqueur confectionery to someone of any age.
It is illegal to permit minors under the age of 5 to consume alcoholic beverages unless under medical supervision or in an emergency.[195]
Persons over 17 are entitled to their own duty free allowance, which includes alcohol.[196]

 Scotland

18 [197]None (private)

Legislation in  Scotland:
It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18. [198] {{cite web| [199]
It is illegal to sell liqueur confectionery to anyone under 18, however, consumption is permitted.
Persons 18 and over are entitled to their own duty free allowance, which includes alcohol. [196]

 Northern Ireland

18

Legislation in Northern Ireland:
It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18.

 United Kingdom

Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 (applies to all of the  United Kingdom)

Under the BBPA's Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes, customers attempting to buy alcoholic beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21[200] (or optionally 25) even though the law states they must be a minimum of 18. Many supermarket and off-licence chains display Challenge 21 (or Challenge 25) notices stating that they will not serve persons who look under 21 (or 25) without ID.

text: Oceania[edit]

text:
Country

State/region/province

De jure

Notes

Drinking age

Purchase age

 American Samoa

21[201]

 Australia

18[47][202]

Main article: Alcohol laws of AustraliaVaries by state. Some states restrict possession and consumption to over 18, all states restrict purchasing to over 18. In some states, minors may consume alcohol in a private residence with parental permission.[203]

 Fiji

18[204]

The drinking age was 21 from 2006 to 2009 but was lowered to 18 in 2009.[204]

 Guam

21[205]

 Micronesia, Federated States of

18[206]

 New Zealand

None
18[207]

Minimum age applies for beverages with 1.15% ABV or over; no restrictions on beverages less than 1.15% ABV.[208]Persons under 18 may drink outside private residences or private functions if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Alcohol may be supplied to minors only by, or with express consent from, their parent or legal guardian.[209]

 Northern Mariana Islands

21[210]

 Palau

21[211]

It is illegal to sell or serve any alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age. Minors may access a bar or licensed premises only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Minors buying, consuming or attempting to buy alcohol are committing an offence. The law provides an exception for the consumption of alcohol by minors as part of a religiously recognized ceremony.[211]

 Papua New Guinea

18[citation needed]

It is illegal for a minor to purchase, consume or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. Any licence holder has to ensure that the customer who he sells or serves alcohol to, is at least 18 years of age. Violation of this law is fined.[citation needed]

 Samoa

21[212]

Selling or serving alcohol to a person under the age of twenty-one years is punished with three hundred dollars or imprisonment for nine months or both, a fine and imprisonment.[213]

 Solomon Islands

None[213]

21[213]

Selling or serving alcohol to a person under the age of twenty-one years old is punished with a three hundred dollar fine or imprisonment for nine months or both, a fine and imprisonment.[213]

 Tokelau

18[214]

 Tonga

18[215]

Selling, serving or supplying alcohol to a minor is illegal. It is also illegal for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol in any public place and any violation of this law is fined up to $1,000.[215]

 Vanuatu

18[216]

It is unlawful to sell, serve or supply alcohol to any person under the age of 18 years. Violation of the law is fined up to VT 25,000 or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or by both, fine and imprisonment. Any minor under the age of 18 years, being found in possession or consumption of alcohol is fined up to VT 10,000.[216]


document_title: SunTrust Park

question_text: what type of grass is in suntrust park

question_tokens: what type of grass is in suntrust park

text: SunTrust Park

text: History[edit]

text: Leaving Turner Field[edit]

text: Turner Field had been the home of the Braves since the 1997 season. It was originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympics, but was designed from the ground up to be converted into a baseball-only stadium after the Olympics ended—even though this eliminated the possibility of its use for other events such as track and field. The stadium was owned by the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) and leased to the Braves for twenty years.[16] The Braves had full control over the ballpark's operations. Turner Field was a relatively new facility, younger than 13 of the other 29 major league stadiums, but there were numerous issues that led the Braves to seek a new ballpark.[23]

text: According to vice chairman John Schuerholz, Turner Field needed $350 million in renovations—$150 million for structural upkeep and $200 million to improve the fan experience.[24] Braves executive vice president Mike Plant has stated that capital maintenance would be much less at the new stadium.[25] While Turner Field was designed from the ground up with the Braves in mind, Plant said that it would require higher capital maintenance costs because it was value-engineered for the 1996 Summer Olympics.[25] This has led to higher capital maintenance costs in the long run.[25] Plant estimates that capital maintenance costs at the new stadium will be no more than $80 million after 30 years – less than the $150 million in capital maintenance needed for Turner Field after 17 years.[25]

text: Braves executives said that fans were unwilling to come to games in Turner Field's later years due to metro Atlanta's infamous traffic congestion.[24] They also claimed that parking around the stadium is inadequate.[24] Turner Field was under-served by about 5,000 parking spaces.[24] In addition, Plant has noted the downtown location "doesn't match up with where the majority of our fans come from."[26] Plant said that, although the Braves operated Turner Field, they had no control over the commercial development around the stadium.[27] Other baseball stadiums built in recent years have been accompanied by nearby shopping and entertainment.[27]

text: The Braves were in talks in 2013 with the recreational authority to extend the team's original lease, Plant said, but those talks broke down.[27] Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed said the city could not afford to support the kind of renovations the Braves desired, especially while already funding Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.[27]

text: Planning[edit]

text: In summer 2013, the Braves and the Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee made a short list of possible locations in Cobb County.[20] The location chosen for the park is next to the highway interchange between Interstate 75 and Interstate 285.[28] The Braves claim the location is "near the geographic center of the Braves' fan base."[29] During the park's groundbreaking the team announced that the naming rights were sold to Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks for a 25-year partnership.[30] Braves officials announced that the park's capacity would be 41,149,[4][5][24] which is approximately 8,000 fewer than Turner Field.[31]

text: In January 2017, the Braves announced that SunTrust Park would have more than 11,000 parking spaces owned or leased by the organization for game day.[32] This is 2,500 more spaces than were available at Turner Field.[32] The Braves further unveiled plans to launch a private shuttle service that will serve managed parking lots and key points of interest in metro Atlanta.[32] Specific routes will be released closer to Opening Day.[32] The Braves also announced that Waze, the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app, will collaborate with the Braves and Cobb to share data and real-time updates with fans and commuters.[32] SunTrust Park will feature a designated ride sharing service drop-off/pick- up zone on Windy Ridge Parkway, adjacent to the ballpark.[32]

text: In order to reduce traffic congestion, the Braves announced that games played Monday through Thursday would start at 7:30 pm.[33]  Games at Turner Field started at 7 pm on those days.[33] There are approximately 30,000 parking spaces within 2 miles of the stadium.[34]

text: The baseball stadium occupies 15 acres (6.1 ha) of a 60-acre (24 ha) lot, with the remainder of the space devoted to parking, green space, and mixed-use development.[24] Although the new stadium will be over 10 miles (16 km) from the nearest train station, the Braves use a "circulator" bus system to shuttle fans to and from the stadium.[27]

text: On July 8, 2015, the Braves announced an agreement for Atlanta-based Gas South to remain the official natural gas partner when the team moves to SunTrust Park. Under the agreement, Gas South will receive prominent signage in the new ballpark, including a 75-foot long "Bring the Heat" LED board in left field that will display pitching statistics and fan-friendly messaging throughout the game.[35]

text: The Battery Atlanta[edit]

text: On November 20, 2013, the Braves unveiled plans to build a $400 million entertainment district that will surround the ballpark.[34] The district will feature a street lined with retail, restaurants and bars leading up to the stadium.[34] The $400 million is entirely funded by the Braves and their development partners.[34] On October 14, 2015, the Atlanta Braves announced that the complex would be called The Battery Atlanta.[36]

text: On December 10, 2014, the Braves released new renderings of the planned entertainment complex surrounding SunTrust Park.[37] The new renderings further define the public spaces and show a blend of architectural styles, with a blend of steel, brick and glass facades.[37] Derek Schiller said in a conference call with reporters that the rendering represent the concept of project's look, and is not the final design.[37] But the locations of buildings and streets demonstrated in the designs are largely settled.[37] Two taller glass towers, a hotel and an office building, will feature views into the ballpark.[37] The complex also will feature a brewpub and Braves store.[37] The Braves named architectural design firm Wakefield Beasley & Associates as the lead designer of the mixed-used project surrounding the stadium.[38][39]

text: On March 17, 2015, the Braves announced a partnership with Comcast under which Comcast will provide high-tech infrastructure for SunTrust Park and will become an anchor tenant at The Battery Atlanta.[40] Comcast will occupy 100% of a nine-story office building in the mixed-use development adjacent to the stadium.[40] The office tower, which will overlook the ballpark, will become Comcast's Southeast regional headquarters.[40] According to Braves chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk, Comcast will "lend its expertise to drive the most technologically advanced ballpark and mixed-use development ever built."[40] Some 1,000 Comcast employees will work at the office building, most of them new hires.[40] The office also will include an "innovation lab" for new technologies.[40]

text: On April 28, 2015, the Braves announced a 50-50 partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts on a luxury hotel to be built overlooking SunTrust Park.[41] The full-service hotel will be 16 floors and have 260 rooms.[41] It also will feature a two-story restaurant, rooftop hospitality suites, and an elevated pool deck with views into the ballpark.[41] The Atlanta Braves will be the 50/50 owners with Omni Hotels & Resorts. On August 14, 2017, The Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta announced that James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef and author Hugh Acheson will open his eighth restaurant – Achie's – within the luxury hotel.[42]

text: On July 16, 2015, the Braves and concert promoter Live Nation announced a deal to develop and manage the long-planned entertainment venue adjacent to SunTrust Park.[43] The venue will be called the Roxy Theatre in homage to the old Roxy Theatre that was torn down in 1972.[43] The venue will have standing-room-only capacity for 4,000 and feature about 40 music and comic shows annually.[43] The theater is designed to help drive activity to the site on non-gamedays and it will also play host to special events.[43]

text: The first restaurants announced for The Battery Atlanta were: Antico Pizza, Cru Food and Wine Bar, Tomahawk Taproom featuring Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, chef Ford Fry's Superica restaurant and a new steak concept by chef Linton Hopkins.[36]

text: On May 19, 2016, the Braves announced several new signed tenants at The Battery Atlanta including Wahlburgers, Harley-Davidson, and Goldbergs Bagel Co. & Deli.[44] The opening of the restaurant outside the Braves' new Cobb County ballpark is expected to be featured prominently in Wahlburgers, the brothers' A&E reality television show about the business.[44] Another big operator, national restaurant, retail, casino and entertainment venue developer Cordish Cos., plans a trio of concepts including a Professional Bull Riders Association Bar & Grill, featuring a mechanical bull.[44]

text: Design[edit]

text: The Braves chose Populous to design the new ballpark.[12] Populous has designed 19 of the 30 Major League stadiums currently in use including Marlins Park, Target Field, and Yankee Stadium.[12] The Braves picked Populous over HKS, Inc. who served as a consultant for the Braves prior to the selection of Populous.[12]

text: On May 14, 2014, the Braves released the first renderings of the new stadium.[45] The ballpark has a southeast orientation.[46]  Two factors ended up determining the placement of the park:[20] the topography of the land and the location of gas lines on the property.[20] Before the ballpark was built a comprehensive sun study was conducted by the team and designers that determined the orientation would not be an issue.[45] The ballpark cuts back into a rocky hill, where fans will enter at midlevel and then walk down.[46] The relatively tight site led to a design that's higher than the average MLB ballpark, with fans closer to the action than they were at Turner Field.[46] In fact, the last seat in the upper deck is 21 feet closer than what it was at Turner.[46]

text: A key design element is the use of brick.[20] The masonry resembles patterns popular in the Southeast.[20] Braves executive vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller says the masonry gives the ballpark's exterior a look of "timelessness."[20] In addition, the Braves decided to use pre-cast stone.[20] Schiller said "It looks custom hand-laid. It's at all of the entryways. It brings the whole scale of the brick way down."[20] According to Schiller, by designing breaks in the masonry like porches, canopies, varying angles and trellises, "it not only creates shade, it also warms the architecture and gives it a different scale."[20]

text: Earl Santee, Managing Director of Populous, said his team "was very involved with the master planners of the development.[20] The integration of this building (the ballpark) with those other buildings was really crucial to the success of the project."[20] The result was "a fully integrated experience that's never been seen in baseball before."[20]

text: Construction[edit]

text: On April 16, 2014, Atlanta Braves and Cobb County officials outlined the timetable for the new stadium's construction.[47] Site clearing was scheduled to begin July 15, 2014 and complete by October 13, 2014.[47] However, site clearing started ahead of schedule after the Cobb County commission vote on May 27, 2014.[48] The Atlanta Braves held a formal groundbreaking ceremony on September 16.[10][49] The ceremony took place at the site near the northwest intersection of Interstates 75 and 285.[49]

text: In order to start construction three natural gas lines that ran under the property had to be moved.[50] The high cost of moving the gas lines is one of the key reasons the land had not been developed.[50] The cost to move the lines was $14 million.[51] The pipelines were moved to the perimeter.[50] Two of the lines, which run about eight feet underground, are owned by Colonial Pipeline Company, and the third belongs to Atlanta Gas Light Company.[50] The project was completed in early November, 2014.[51]

text: In November 2014, workers started drilling the holes for the pylons around the outside perimeter of the stadium's footprint.[52] According to the Braves vice president of business operations Mike Plant, phase one of construction for both the stadium and mixed-use development began in November 2014 and included infrastructure for the site, such as sewer, water and electrical systems.[51] The retention walls for the underground service level of the stadium were also built.[52] The underground level will have a few hundred parking spaces for players, team doctors, clubhouse staff and management staff.[52] By May 2015, crews had installed all the caissons to stabilize the foundation.[53] With the caissons complete the crews are beginning to pour concrete for the decks.[53]

text: On August 27, 2015, the Atlanta Braves held a ceremony for the first brick laid of 775,000 bricks that made up the main exterior at SunTrust Park.[54] On hand for the ceremony were dignitaries from the Braves, Cobb County government, and ballpark sponsors.[54] The first brick was laid by Eutis Morris, 83, who laid the first concrete block at Fulton County Stadium and placed the first and last bricks at Olympic Stadium, which later became Turner Field.[54] Also laying bricks were former Atlanta Braves player Hank Aaron and the team's current first baseman Freddie Freeman.[54] The team also sealed two time capsules.[54] The capsules included a video of the SunTrust Park ground breaking; parts of the Big Chicken; a 1948 World Series program; dirt from both older stadiums; a baseball signed by the 1995 championship team; and recordings from team broadcasters.[54] These time capsules will be opened when the stadium is demolished.[54]

text: In June 2016, construction started on a pedestrian bridge to connect SunTrust Park with the Cobb Galleria.[55] The bridge spans Interstate 285.[55] To fund construction, Cobb county used $5 million given by the Cumberland Community Improvement District, about $4.5 million in federal grants, $380,000 from the Atlanta Braves and about $159,000 from a special taxing district in Cumberland created to help fund the new Braves stadium's construction.[56]

text: In July 2016, the installation of the seats for SunTrust Park started.[57] Also, the installation of hundreds of LED lights were installed along the edge of the ballpark's canopy from the right-field foul pole to home plate.[57] Additionally, a large, light-up tomahawk was installed.[57] Meanwhile, the 108,000-square-foot metal canopy that covers about 60 percent of these seats was completed.[57] In August 2016, the canopy, lights and seating bowl were completed and the last crane remaining on the field area was removed.[57]

text: In January 2017, most of the exterior work was complete.[58] The team began moving out of Turner Field the day after the Braves' 2016 season ended, storing equipment temporarily at a warehouse.[58] In December 2016, staffers began moving office equipment and furniture into SunTrust Park, and on December 19, team employees began moving into their offices.[58] The playing surface itself started to take shape.[58] The drainage and irrigation systems were installed and covered with layers of gravel, sand and soil.[58] The infield, pitcher's mound and warning track were formed in December 2016.[58] The final layer of topsoil for the grass sod was installed in January.[58]

text: The Braves received the certificate of occupancy for the entire ballpark on February 24, 2017.[59] With seats, video boards and most other elements already installed, the sod was one of the last missing pieces of the new ballpark.[60] Workers began the installation of 109,000 square feet of sod on March 4, 2017, a task that took two to three days to complete.[9]

text: On March 8, 2017, construction camera provider OxBlue released a time-lapse video of SunTrust Park's construction. The high-definition time-lapse movie was produced using over 203,000 images taken by three cameras over a 21-month period.[61]

text:
Stadium firsts

Statistics

First game

April 14, 2017Braves 5, Padres 2

Ceremonial First Pitch

Hank Aaron

First pitch

Julio Teherán

First batter

Manuel Margot (Padres)

First hit

Ender Inciarte

First home run

Ender Inciarte

First win

Julio Teherán

First save

Jim Johnson

First postseason game

October 8, 2018Braves 6, Dodgers 5

text: Opening[edit]

text: The 2017 Atlanta Braves season was the team's first in SunTrust Park. The Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Yankees 8-5 in an exhibition game on March 31, 2017, in their first game in the ballpark.[62]

text: On January 25, 2017 the Braves announced that the University of Georgia and University of Missouri would play the first baseball game in SunTrust Park on April 8, 2017.[63] The Georgia-Missouri game was also the first time the stadium was open to the general public.[63] The teams drew in 33,025 spectators as Missouri beat Georgia 6-1.[64] Missouri's Trey Harris hit the first home run.[64]

text: The Braves' regular-season opener was held on April 14, 2017. During pregame ceremonies, the Braves unveiled the team's 10 retired numbers on a left-field facade, and seven of the 10 individuals represented—Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, and John Smoltz—took part in the festivities.[65] The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Aaron, with Cox serving as catcher.[65] Aaron had also thrown the ceremonial first pitch for the Braves' first and last games at Turner Field.[65] The Braves would defeat the San Diego Padres 5–2.[66] Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte recorded the first out, first hit, first run, and first home run in the new ballpark.[66]

text: Changes for the 2018 season[edit]

text: Inside the stadium sixteen semicircular tables, each with four swivel chairs, replaced the top six rows of seats in sections 122 and 130, which are along the first-base and third-base lines.[67] The change was made because the 80 four-person tables in the stadium's original design, all on the terrace level, sold out quickly last year.[67] The Delta Sky360 Club – open to fans in about 1,800 lower-level premium seats between the dugouts, including those at the new tables – was expanded by about 2,000 square feet.[67] The additional dining and kitchen space was gained mostly by eliminating a media interview room.[67]

text: Outside the stadium the 264-room, 4-star Omni hotel and the Comcast office building, both of which overlook the stadium, opened during the Braves' offseason, adding energy and activity beyond the outfield.[67] Two-dozen shops and restaurants now are open throughout The Battery.[67] The latest addition is "eat-ertainment" concept Punch Bowl Social.[67] About 75 percent of the available retail and restaurant space in the mixed-use development will be occupied on the Braves' opening day.[67]

text: Other changes: The playing field has been resodded, and the plants that struggled in the low-light "Monument Garden" area have been replaced.[67]

text: Features[edit]

text: Configuration[edit]

text: The ballpark features an intimate configuration placing the highest percentage of seats closer to the field than any other ball park in Major League Baseball.[68][69] Braves executive vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller stated that the seating bowl is aimed at putting fans closer to the action,[70] not by reducing the amount of foul territory, but with cantilever designs that push the middle and upper bowls toward the field.[70] The ballpark will also include a 90-feet-wide canopy horseshoeing around the stadium's top[70] and air conditioning on every level to ensure that fans remain cool on hot summer days.[68] The existing topography of the property has been integrated into the design.[68] The Braves are using LED lights for the stadium.[53] LED lights provide better quality for fans in the stands and watching on TV.[53] LED lights will also reduce the time it takes to restore lighting in case of a power outage.[53]

text: Water feature[edit]

text: Inside the ballpark, in the "batter's eye" area just beyond the center-field wall features three evergreen trees.[71] The area also includes boulders and a waterfall/water feature.[71] The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen—shooting up by as much as 3' per year until maturity. The Braves took inspiration from a similar setup in the same area of the Colorado Rockies' Coors Field.[71] A fountain shoots streams of water 50 feet into the air, toward the main video board, from the upper pond.[72] The feature figures to have a game-presentation role in celebrating home runs and wins.[72]

text: Foul ball protection[edit]

text: The ballpark features an expanded protection from foul balls.[73] The protective netting extends from behind home plate to the far end of both dugouts at SunTrust Park.[73] Although longer, SunTrust Park's protective netting isn't quite as high as Turner Field's.[73] The screen is 31 ½ feet high, compared to 35 feet high at the former stadium.[73] Derek Schiller attributed that difference to the geometry of SunTrust Park and where the cables that hold up the screen are secured to stadium structures.[73] From directly behind home plate, the screen extends 145 feet down the third-base line and 149 feet down the first-base line, according to Braves field director Ed Mangan.[73] Schiller said innovations have made protective screens "thinner but in fact stronger," meaning "we're getting the ability to cover the most number of seats with the least view issues as possible."[73]

text: Playing surface[edit]

text: The Braves selected a type of grass called "Seashore Paspalum, Platinum TE" for the stadium.[9] The Braves replaced Turner Field's Tifway 419 hybrid Bermuda grass in the infield in 2012 in hopes the softer, thicker paspalum would slow down the playing surface a bit for the benefit of their infielders.[9] The Bermuda remained in Turner Field's outfield, while the grassed areas of foul territory also were switched to paspalum.[9] At SunTrust Park, the entire field is paspalum.[9] It is a popular choice for beach golf courses. It also is used at Minute Maid Park and Marlins Park.[9]

text: Monument Garden and statues[edit]

text: Unlike Turner Field, SunTrust Park doesn't have a stand-alone Braves museum.[72]  But a well-appointed space in the main concourse behind home plate, Monument Garden, will display many highlights of franchise history.[72] The Monument Garden features audio, light and water elements.[74] The Braves partnered with Atlanta-based A-R-T & Associates to create a visual experience for Braves fans.[74] The baseball-centric artwork highlights nostalgic moments throughout Braves franchise history.[74] The 300-piece installation consists largely of original artwork ranging from portraits to action scenes, and complemented by macro photography, oversized vintage baseball cards and a LEGO brick mosaic.[74] The Braves took memorabilia from the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame at Turner Field and incorporated it throughout the ballpark.[74]

text: The focal point of Monument Garden is a statue of Hank Aaron.[74] The statue was created and unveiled by Atlanta-based artist Ross Rossin.[75] The statue captures the moment on April 8, 1974, at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when Aaron broke Babe Ruth's long-standing 715 career home-run record.[75] Behind the statue is a sculpture made of 755 baseball bats in honor of Aaron's career home-run total.[72]  A video screen will play an Aaron biography. Other statues will be placed throughout the stadium.[74] For example, the bat and ball from Aaron's 715th home run are displayed in the Hank Aaron Terrace above left field.[72]

text: On April 13, 2017 the Braves unveiled a statue of former manager Bobby Cox.[76] The new statue joined two other statues outside the ballpark featuring legends of the Braves franchise.[76] The other statues include Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro.[76]

text: Technology[edit]

text: The stadium is equipped with a Wi-Fi network billed as one of the most robust systems in all of professional sports.[77] On an average gameday, 10,000-14,000 concurrent users access the Braves WiFi system; the dual 100GB of bandwidth (totaling 200GB, via 2 terabit ports) is enough for everyone in a sold-out ballpark to simultaneously post a selfie.[77] On a Friday or Saturday with big crowds, the system is pushing 8.3 terabits of data.[77] More data is being uploaded than downloaded, indicating plenty of selfies and game updates are being submitted to Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.[77]

text: All in all, SunTrust Park features 250 miles of single mode fiber optic lines, 500 miles of CAT6A lines, and 1,350 802.11ac access points: 900 in the ballpark, 450 in the adjacent Battery.[77]

text: Other technologies include 1,350 Panasonic televisions that are installed throughout the ballpark.[77] A new Suite Control System allows access to ticketholders via scanner, with no attendants necessary.[77] And 15 video display kiosks on the concourses bring up-to-date ballpark information to fans.[77]

text: Public reaction[edit]

text: Announcement and polls[edit]

text: After the new stadium was announced, citizens organized campaigns both supporting and opposing the plan, which was made public only two weeks before the Cobb County Commission voted. More than 80% of county residents supported delaying the vote,[78] Cobb Chairman Tim Lee and Commissioner Helen Goreham insisted that vote could not be delayed because it would threaten the stadium's timeline.[79]

text: An InsiderAdvantage/FOX 5 poll released on November 25, 2013, showed that 59% of registered voters in Cobb County favored building a new stadium for the Braves.[80] However, support fell to 30% of Cobb County voters when they were asked if they'd support funding the stadium with Cobb County tax dollars, with 56% opposed and 14% undecided.[80] On September 8, 2014, the University of Florida's Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports Management released the first independent scientific poll on Cobb residents' attitude toward the public investment in the stadium.[81] The survey found that 55% of the survey respondents would have supported the stadium in a referendum.[81]

text: Public hearing and vote[edit]

text: Two weeks after the Atlanta Braves announced the new stadium project, the Cobb County Commission held a public hearing to vote on whether to approve the plan.[82] Citizens who both supported and opposed the plan began crowding into the meeting hall hours before the 7 p.m. hearing was to begin, many sporting "Cobb: Home of the Braves" T-shirts.[82] After a one-hour public comment on the new stadium project the Cobb County Commission voted 4–1 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Atlanta Braves.[82] On May 27, 2014, the Cobb County Commissioners voted unanimously, 5–0, on the operating agreement that bound the county to borrow up to $397 million to build the new stadium.[11]

text: Appeal and aftermath[edit]

text: Retired businessman Larry Savage, attorney Tucker Hobgood, and Austell resident Rich Pellegrino filed notices of appeal with the Georgia Supreme Court, to argue against issuance of the bonds.[18] Attorneys Lesly Gaynor Murray and Blake Sharpton of law firm Butler Snow, the county's bond counsel, represented Cobb in the Supreme Court.[18] The appeal was heard by the Georgia Supreme Court in February, 2015.[18] On June 29, 2015, the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously upheld the bond authorization.[83] The failed appeal represented the last legal challenge to the SunTrust Park project.[83]

text: In July 2016, Cobb County commissioner Tim Lee lost his bid for re-election to challenger Mike Boyce.[84] Boyce had called the election a delayed referendum on the stadium deal, but Lee pointed to four other commissioners who were re-elected promoting the Braves.[84]

text: Ballpark reputation[edit]

text: SunTrust Park opened to positive reviews. Woody Studenmund of the Hardball Times called the park a "gem" and he was impressed with  "the compact beauty of the stadium and its exciting approach to combining baseball, business and social activities."[85]  J.J. Cooper of Baseball America praised the "excellent sight lines for pretty much every seat."[86] Cooper also noted that "the Wi-Fi works and it's very fast, even with a park full of smartphone users."[86]

text: For the first half of the opening season many believed that SunTrust Park favored hitters.[87] Fox Sports South announcer Chip Caray speculated that the park favored hitters because "it's a vacuum."[88] In May 2017, Braves manager Brian Snitker said "Everybody is going to like hitting here, not just left-handers."[89] Despite the speculation, SunTrust Park is slightly favoring pitchers according to MLB park factors.[90]

text: Other events[edit]

text: College football[edit]

text: On November 17, 2018, NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision member Kennesaw State University will play a home football game against Jacksonville State University at SunTrust Park. This will be the first football game at SunTrust Park. The baseball diamond will be removed to accommodate the football field, which will be laid out along the third base line.[91]

text: Concerts[edit]

text:
Date

Artist

Opening act(s)

Tour / Concert name

Attendance

Revenue

Notes

April 28, 2017

Billy Joel

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Billy Joel in Concert

37,109 / 37,109

$4,623,823

[92][93]

July 9, 2017

Metallica

VolbeatAvenged Sevenfold

WorldWired Tour

39,024 / 41,246

$4,531,443

[94]

June 30, 2018

Zac Brown Band

OneRepublic

Down the Rabbit Hole Live

TBA

TBA

July 1, 2018

Def LeppardJourney

The Pretenders

Def Leppard & Journey 2018 Tour

32,801 / 32,801

$3,033,481

July 21, 2018

Jason Aldean

Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina

High Noon Neon Tour

TBA

TBA

[95]