Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth (): On 14 May 2026, the
government introduced the Sporting Events Bill.
The government is proud of the UK's record of hosting world class
major sporting events over recent years, including the London
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth
Games, and last summer's remarkable Women's Rugby World Cup.
These events bring the nation together like nothing else can and
have profound social and economic benefits.
The Sporting Events Bill will better equip the UK and devolved
governments to attract and deliver such events into the future.
It will ensure these events including the UEFA European
Championships 2028 (EURO 2028) and the FIFA Women's World Cup
2035 – should the UK's bid be successful – can be delivered as
efficiently as possible, and enhance our competitive advantage
when bidding for future global tournaments, showing to
international event owners that we are event ready.
For an event to qualify, it must meet three conditions. First, it
must be taking place at least in part in the UK. Second, it must
not usually be held in the UK. Third, that the event is either
(i) of significant international interest with the potential to
deliver social or economic benefits, or (ii) of strategic
importance in helping to secure such events in the UK in the
future.
The framework provisions include measures to:
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To put fans first by criminalising the unauthorised resale of
tickets for qualifying sporting events, ensuring more tickets
go directly to fans. More broadly, the government consulted
on measures last year to introduce a price cap on the resale
of tickets for all live events. That consultation made it
clear that for too long fans have been ripped off by touts,
who buy large volumes of tickets online and resell them for
vastly inflated prices. We are fully committed to these
measures and will publish a draft bill for pre-legislative
scrutiny in this parliamentary session to ensure the
legislation is effective, enforceable and future-proof.
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Prohibit unauthorised advertising and trading around event
locations through time-limited criminal offences. These
provisions will enable us to create a restricted advertising
and trading zone where unauthorised businesses (those not
authorised, for example, by the event organiser) will be
prevented from trading in places such as competition venues,
official fanzones and transport hubs and their surrounding
areas, balancing the need for commercial protection for event
organisers and their sponsors with the rights of individuals
and businesses. This would allow for a safe flow of
spectators and help to create a consistent and positive
experience for event goers.
-
Prohibit unauthorised association with a sporting event by
creating a general prohibition enforceable through the civil
courts. This prevents businesses from benefitting financially
by associating with an event without contributing to delivery
costs of the event.
-
Manage transport and traffic in relation to a sporting event
in England.
UK Ministers and devolved governments will be able to determine
which framework provisions apply to qualifying events, and to
tailor them to the event by adding essential event-specific
details such as dates and places. This will be done via secondary
legislation.
The bill also includes a funding provision, which ensures the
Secretary of State and devolved governments have legal powers to
fund sporting events.
The provisions in this bill as a whole will ensure the UK
continues to be an attractive host country for major events,
bolstering our world-leading reputation. We are sending a clear
message: the UK is not just a home for sport, but a prepared,
professional, and fan-focused host.
