Costa Rica commission approves alcohol sponsorship for sports

The Special Permanent Commission on Youth, Childhood, and Adolescence in Costa Rica has issued a favorable report on a legislative project that would allow alcohol brands to sponsor sports activities, organizations, and athletes. The proposal passed with a five-to-one vote, marking the seventh attempt since 2019 to relax restrictions on alcohol sponsorship and advertising in the sporting sector.

The bill, titled the Law for the Strengthening and Access to National and Cantonal Sport and Recreation, seeks to reform Law No. 9047. If passed, it would permit the use of alcohol brands, names, and emblems in the advertising of sporting events and on sports equipment across print and digital media. To prevent exploitation, the law stipulates that advertising must not be directed exclusively at minors, and the use of such brands in minor leagues would be prohibited.

Under the proposed terms, 20% of the value of each sponsorship contract would be allocated to a fund managed by the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER). The Ministry of Health would maintain prior control over commercial advertising related to these products. The project now moves forward to the Legislative Plenary for further debate.