King's Speech 2026: Sporting Events Bill

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 12:16

Sport brings people together like nothing else. Hosting major sporting events brings significant economic benefits, inspires the next generation and drives pride in our communities. The Sporting Events Bill will support and enhance the UK's status as a world-leading host of major sporting events. It will ensure these events – including EURO 2028 - can be delivered as efficiently as possible and enhance our competitive advantage when bidding for future global...Request free trial

Sport brings people together like nothing else. Hosting major sporting events brings significant economic benefits, inspires the next generation and drives pride in our communities.

The Sporting Events Bill will support and enhance the UK's status as a world-leading host of major sporting events. It will ensure these events – including EURO 2028 - can be delivered as efficiently as possible and enhance our competitive advantage when bidding for future global tournaments. It builds on our world-class reputation for delivering major sporting events and shows the world we are ‘event ready', in line with the manifesto commitment.

What does the Bill do?

The UK is a world-class host of major sporting events. To further strengthen our reputation and capability, and deliver the manifesto commitment, this Bill establishes a common legislative framework that can be applied to major sporting events in the UK to ensure we can meet commitments to international sporting event owners confidently, without the delay or uncertainty caused by having to legislate for each one.

The Bill will:

Enable Ministers to determine what specific measures are appropriate for each future event and apply those provisions accordingly via secondary legislation.

Deter touts by creating a UK-wide offence for the resale of tickets for major sporting events. This will also ensure greater access to tickets for fans.

Protect commercial rights by introducing a UK-wide prohibition on unauthorised association with a sporting event and measures to restrict advertising and trading around event locations.

Coordinate transport planning for major sporting events. These measures, covering the requirement for a designated body to prepare, consult on, and publish a statutory transport plan and enhanced road regulation powers, ensure that appropriate traffic management

measures can be put in place for major sporting events and minimise the risk of relying on voluntary arrangements.

This Bill will be used to support the delivery of the 2028 UEFA Men's European Football Championships (EURO 2028). The regulatory framework created by the Bill will go further, providing confidence in the UK's ability to host the world's biggest sporting events in the future, such as the FIFA Women's World Cup which the UK is seeking to host in 2035.

Territorial extent and application

The Bill will extend and apply to the whole of the UK.

Key facts

Sport is estimated to be worth over £53.6 billion a year in Gross Value Added to the UK's economy, as referenced in the Sport Satellite account for the UK 2024, and major sporting events play a significant role in delivering continued growth across many of our key sectors.

Major sporting events drive significant spending in a number of areas, particularly tourism and hospitality, creating jobs and boosting growth across the country. On its own, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games generated approximately £1.2 billion Gross Value Added of UK economic output and nearly £80 million of social value, as set out in the ‘One year post Games evaluation' report.

Alongside generating jobs and driving economic growth, major sporting events bring significant non-monetised benefits, including social cohesion, national pride, showcasing the UK internationally, strengthening soft power and trade, and creating a legacy which improves health, wellbeing and participation.

The Chairwoman of the Football Association (FA) and UK & Ireland 2028, Debbie Hewitt MBE, said “We welcome the UK Government's announcement today that reaffirms the nation's commitment to being a world-leading host of major sporting events, including UEFA EURO 2028. UK & Ireland 2028 and UEFA are working together to ensure the tournament offers a world-class fan experience and this legislation, including measures to tackle ticket touting, will help protect supporters and keep the event accessible.” “With the UK currently bidding for FIFA Women's World Cup 2035, the Bill also strengthens our ability to secure future global events, creating opportunities to develop grassroots sport and ensure our communities feel long-lasting benefits.”