Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026

A vote to support means

• —Enhances public safety by reducing security risks associated with unknown individuals accessing stadium areas, including restricted zones near players and officials
• —Protects legitimate ticket-holders by preventing non-paying spectators from occupying seats or standing areas, ensuring those who paid can access the match experience they purchased
• —Gives stewards and security staff clearer legal backing to remove disruptive individuals quickly, reducing time spent managing unauthorised entry incidents during matches
• —Tackles ticket fraud and touting by creating specific offences for using counterfeit or fraudulently obtained tickets, directing revenue toward legitimate clubs rather than criminal networks

A vote to oppose means

• —May disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups, including young people and low-income supporters who might face harsher penalties for minor infractions like jumping barriers compared to wealthier offenders
• —Creates vague enforcement standards that could lead to inconsistent application across different clubs and stewards, potentially allowing discriminatory targeting based on appearance or background
• —Introduces criminal records for what may be first-time offences (such as a child pitch invasion), affecting future employment, education, and housing prospects severely
• —Shifts enforcement costs to the criminal justice system rather than to clubs themselves, using public resources to prosecute relatively minor stadium access violations while clubs retain significant profits