SPORTS fans will be able to bring their own hamburgers, chips and coffee into Etihad Stadium in a hip-pocket win for spectators fed up with high food prices at the ground.

Strict food and drink restrictions at the Docklands arena will be relaxed for cricket, soccer and AFL matches with spectators given more rights to bring their own snacks into the stadium.

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A trial of the new system was held in the final weeks of this footy season, but Etihad Stadium chief Paul Sergeant said the “unprecedented’’ move would now be extended indefinitely.

“In the spirit of ‘fan engagement’ and working with the AFL and other hirers, we are willing to see how it plays out,’’ he said.

Fans trying to enter Etihad Stadium with “commercially prepared food’’ including takeaway purchased near the venue have previously been told to eat outside or turf it.

Only food prepared at home such as sandwiches, packets of chips and Thermos coffee have been allowed past security.

But with Melbourne stadiums and the AFL this year under fire for exorbitant food prices such as $6.60 for a bucket of chips at Etihad Stadium and $5.60 at the MCG, Mr Sergeant said times were changing.

“We trialled it and we are going to continue it,’’ he said.

“And I think until such time as we think someone abuses it ... it’s OK.’’

Big Bash cricket fans and A-League soccer supporters will be among the first treated to the new test policy, with AFL crowds allowed to take their choice of tucker into the ground when the season starts in April.

The cost of a bottle of water at the footy this year rose to $5, a meat pie jumped to $4.80 and a bottle of Coke was $5 at the MCG and $5.20 at Etihad Stadium.

Mr Sergeant said stadium chiefs had to balance the interests of fans with the rights of caterers who pay to trade at about 80 events each year including about 200 hours of AFL.

“If you were running a restaurant you would say, ‘What’s he doing bringing food in? Go away, you’re not allowed in’,’’ he said.

“But a venue becomes much more emotive than that. It’s a difficult one.’’

He said food operators inside the stadium also had more limited trading hours than the growing number of commercial caterers in Docklands.

“We realise we’re giving them a helping hand,’’ he said.

“What we’re permitting is in our view unprecedented but we’ll see how it unfolds.’’

A time frame is yet to be set to decide whether the policy is adopted full-time.

Restrictions will still apply on bringing alcohol and glass into the stadium.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au

Twitter:@rolfep