The water cooler stand is adapted for use with a five gallon beverage coolers. The water cooler stand is a cylindrical structure that is adapted to rest on a surface and receive the five gallon beverage cooler such that it raises the five gallon beverage cooler off the resting surface. The water cooler stand has formed in it a cup opening that is sized to allow a cup to be placed underneath the spigot such that liquids released from the cooler through the spigot will fall into the center of a beverage cup. When not in use, the water cooler stand can be stored on the five gallon beverage cooler. The water cooler stand comprises a capped cylinder, a cup opening, a non-skid surface, a plurality of hook and loop fasteners, a flared edge, and a safety edge.