Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026
| Act of Parliament | |
.svg.png) | |
| Long title | An Act to create an offence of unauthorised entry at football matches for which a football banning order can be imposed following conviction. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2026 c. 1 |
| Introduced by | Linsey Farnsworth (Commons) Kevin, Lord Brennan of Canton (Lords) |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales[b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22 January 2026 |
| Commencement | 22 March 2026[c] |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 (c. 1) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which created the offence of unauthorised entry to designated football matches of elite games where those found guilty may be given a Football Banning Order.[1] It was a Private Members' Bill, sponsored by Labour MP Linsey Farnsworth and sponsored in the House of Lords by Kevin, Lord Brennan of Canton.
The act received royal assent on 22 January 2026 and came into force in March of that year.[2][3]
Provisions
Commencement
| Statutory Instrument | |
| |
| Citation | SI 2026/288 |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Sarah Jones MP (Commons) |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Made | 12th March 2026 |
| Commencement | 22 March 2026 |
| Other legislation | |
| Made under | Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 (Commencement) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/288) provided that act would come into force on 22 March.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Section 2(3).
- ↑ Section 2(1).
- ↑ Section 2(2). The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 (Commencement) Regulations 2026.
- ↑ Section 1.
References
- ↑ Home Office (16 October 2024). "UNAUTHORISED ENTRY TO FOOTBALL MATCHES BILL: EXPLANATORY NOTES" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 (Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)) - Stages". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ Roan, Dan (20 March 2026). "Tailgating at matches to become criminal offence". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "Tailgating at football matches becomes a criminal offence". www.thefa.com. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
External links
- Text of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Text of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.