Beer at Atlanta Motor Speedway: What You Can (and Can’t) Bring

Heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) in Hampton and wondering if you can bring your own beer into the track? The short answer is: usually yes, but with strict rules and limits that can change by event.

This guide walks you through how beer and other alcohol work at Atlanta Motor Speedway, what you can bring, where you can drink it, and how to avoid problems at the gate.

Can You Bring Beer Into Atlanta Motor Speedway?

For most NASCAR race weekends and major events, Atlanta Motor Speedway does allow fans to bring beer into the grandstands and many camping areas, but:

• It must follow size and container rules
• Glass is not allowed
• Quantities are limited
• Security and policies can vary by event and by area

Because policies can change, especially for concerts, special events, or hospitality areas, it’s wise to check directly with Atlanta Motor Speedway if you’re unsure.

Atlanta Motor Speedway – Main Contacts
1500 Tara Place, Hampton, GA 30228
Main phone: (770) 946-4211
Ticket office: Typically open on event weeks; hours may vary.

General Alcohol Rules at Atlanta Motor Speedway

While specific details may shift, fans at AMS typically encounter rules like these:

• Beer and wine are allowed in many fan areas.
• No glass containers of any kind.
• Outside liquor (spirits) is usually not allowed in the grandstands.
• Coolers are allowed, but must meet size restrictions.
• All alcohol is for personal consumption only—no selling, sharing for profit, or serving others like a vendor.
• You must be 21 or older to possess or drink alcohol, consistent with Georgia law.

Security staff and law enforcement on site have the final say on what gets in.

Coolers, Bags, and Container Rules

Atlanta Motor Speedway is known for being relatively fan-friendly with coolers, but not everything goes.

Typical Cooler Guidelines

These are common patterns you’ll see at AMS and similar NASCAR tracks:

• Cooler size: Often limited to a soft-sided cooler around 14" (or similar) that can fit under your seat.
• Material: Soft-sided only for grandstand seating; hard coolers are more common in camping/RV areas than in the stands.
• Glass ban: Absolutely no glass bottles or jars, even if they’re in a cooler.
• Inspection required: All coolers and bags are subject to search at the gate.

Typical Items You Can Bring (If Rules Are in Effect)

• Cans or plastic bottles of beer
• Cans of seltzer or similar malt beverages (if allowed under current rules)
• Non-alcoholic drinks (water, soda, sports drinks)
• Snacks and sandwiches
• Small ice packs or bagged ice inside coolers

Items You Usually Can’t Bring

• Glass beer bottles or glass of any kind
• Full-size hard coolers into the grandstands
• Very large soft coolers that cannot fit under a seat
• Kegs or bulk alcohol containers
• Mixed drinks in open containers at the gate

If your cooler looks too large or questionable, expect extra screening or to be turned back to your vehicle.

Quick Reference: Beer & Cooler Rules at AMS

Use this as a general guide only—always confirm for your specific event.

*Policies may change. Check directly with AMS before your event.

Grandstands vs. Infield vs. Camping: Different Rules

Where you’re sitting or staying at Atlanta Motor Speedway affects what you can bring.

Grandstand Seating

In the main grandstands:

• Outside beer in cans/plastic is commonly allowed.
• Cooler and bag sizes are strictly enforced.
• Alcohol must stay within your seating area.
• Staff may intervene if they see unsafe or disruptive drinking.

If you’re attending a special event in a premium or club area, those sections may have separate rules—sometimes no outside beverages at all.

Infield and Camping Areas

If you’re camping in the infield or on AMS property, the environment is more relaxed, but still regulated:

• Fans often bring larger quantities of beer for the weekend.
• Glass is still prohibited, even at campsites.
• Quiet hours, behavior rules, and safety standards apply.
• Security and local law enforcement regularly patrol these areas.

For information on camping rules and alcohol policies, you can use the main AMS phone line or ask at the ticket office when purchasing camping passes.

Buying Beer at Atlanta Motor Speedway

You don’t have to bring your own to enjoy a beer at the track.

On-Site Concessions

Across the concourse and near popular seating areas you’ll usually find:

• Beer stands and bars with domestic and some craft options
• Concession stands that sell beer alongside food
• Portable vendors during big race weekends

Expect:

• ID checks at purchase
• Limits on the number of drinks you can buy at one time
• Cutoff times for alcohol sales during or near the end of events

Payment Methods

AMS concession stands typically accept:

• Cash and major cards, though cashless setups are becoming more common at large venues
• It’s wise to bring a card and some backup cash, especially on busy race days.

Georgia Laws That Still Apply Inside the Track

Even though you’re on private property, Georgia alcohol laws still apply at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

• 21+ to drink: No exceptions at the track.
• No open container on public roads: Once you leave AMS and drive onto public streets in Hampton or anywhere in the Atlanta metro, open containers in vehicles are illegal.
• Driving under the influence: Georgia has strict DUI enforcement. Local agencies often patrol around major events.

If you plan to drink at AMS, consider:

• Designating a sober driver
• Using rideshare, taxi, or a hotel shuttle if available
• Staying at a nearby hotel or an on-site campsite if you’re drinking heavily

Practical Tips for Atlanta Fans Bringing Beer to AMS

1. Check the Event-Specific Policy First

Not all events at Atlanta Motor Speedway share the same rules. For example:

• A NASCAR Cup Series race weekend often has the most fan-friendly cooler policies.
• A concert or festival may have much stricter rules and ban outside alcohol entirely.

You can:

• Call AMS at (770) 946-4211 in the week before your event.
• Ask specifically:
  • “Can I bring beer into the grandstands for [event name and date]?”
  • “What size cooler is allowed?”

2. Stick to Cans or Plastic Only

To avoid problems at security:

• Buy canned beer for race day.
• Avoid glass growlers, bottles, or jars, even for non-alcoholic drinks.

If you prefer something like seltzers or flavored beverages, choose products that come in aluminum cans.

3. Pack Smart for the Atlanta Weather

Atlanta, especially in the spring, summer, and early fall, can be hot and humid:

• Use ice packs instead of loose ice if you want to keep weight and mess down.
• Balance your beer cooler with plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Bring snacks to help pace your drinking through a long race day.

4. Respect Security and Staff Instructions

At gate screening:

• Have your cooler unzipped and ready.
• Be prepared to remove items if requested.
• If they say something must go back to your car, arguing usually just slows you down and rarely changes the outcome.

What If You Show Up With the Wrong Items?

If security finds something that violates policy—like a glass bottle or oversized cooler—you’ll typically have two options:

1. Take it back to your vehicle and return through screening.
2. Dispose of the item in provided trash or recycling bins.

Atlanta Motor Speedway does not generally provide storage for prohibited items, so plan to leave valuables at home or locked in your car.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta Just for the Race

If you’re traveling to metro Atlanta for a race weekend:

• Many fans stay in Henry County, south metro Atlanta, or near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, then drive or shuttle to AMS.
• If you’re flying, remember TSA liquid rules—it’s easier to buy beer at a store near your hotel or near the track.
• Local grocery and package stores around Hampton, McDonough, and Stockbridge often stock up before big race weekends.

Ask your hotel front desk about:

• The best times to leave for the track to avoid traffic.
• Whether any shuttles or local services are operating on race day.

When in Doubt, Call Before You Pack

Because Atlanta Motor Speedway can adjust rules from one event to the next, the safest approach is to verify right before you go:

• Atlanta Motor Speedway
  1500 Tara Place, Hampton, GA 30228
  General information: (770) 946-4211

Ask about:

• Outside beer and cooler policies for your specific event
• Grandstand vs. infield/camping rules
• Any special restrictions for concerts, hospitality areas, or VIP sections

Knowing the rules in advance lets you enjoy your beer, your seat, and the racing action without surprises at the gate.