Football Governance Act 2025
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to establish the Independent Football Regulator; to make provision for the licensing of football clubs; to make provision about the distribution of revenue received by organisers of football competitions; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2025 c. 21 |
| Introduced by | Lisa Nandy (Commons) Baroness Twycross (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 21st July 2025 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of the Football Governance Act 2025 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Football Governance Act 2025 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which established a system of regulation for men's football clubs in England.
Background
In 2011, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee conducted an inquiry into football governance in England.[1]
The previous government established a fan-led review into football governance in England.[2] The previous government had introduced a bill to implement many of these measures, but this failed to pass throguh Parliament before the 2024 general election.[3]
Provisions
The legislation establishes the Independent Football Regulator.[2] The top five tiers of men's football are covered by the legislation.[4]
Football clubs are required to provide "effective engagement" with fans on ticket prices.[5]
Reception
The legislation was supported by Jason Stockwood, a joint majority shareholder and former chairman of Grimsby Town F.C..[6]
References
- ^ Bond, David (8 March 2011). "Is football governance inquiry too broad to hit target?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ a b Hampson, Andy (23 July 2025). "Plans for Independent Football Regulator are rubber-stamped in 'historic moment' for English football". The Standard. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ Rajan, Adwaidh (8 July 2025). "Football Governance Bill set to become law". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ James, Rhiannon (9 July 2025). "How a new law will shake up top tiers of men's football". Bulletin. Independent. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Football Governance Bill: UK Government will relaunch legislation with several changes to the original Bill". Sky Sports. 24 October 2024. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ Stockwood, Jason (13 July 2025). "Football governance bill's passage can create a fairer game at every level". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.