King's Speech 2026: Sporting Events Bill
The King's Speech 2026 bill covering sporting events, public safety and event governance measures connected to major fixtures.
Sporting Events Bill
● 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
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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.”
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STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SERVICES AND REFORMING THE STATE