The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill 2024–26 is a House of Commons private member’s bill which would create a new offence of unauthorised entry, or attempted entry, to certain football matches in England and Wales.
Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill: Research briefing (288KB PDF)
On 24 October 2025 the House of Lords will debate second reading of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill 2024–26. It is a private member’s bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons by Linsey Farnsworth (Labour MP for Amber Valley).
The bill would create a new offence of unauthorised entry, or attempted entry, to certain football matches in England and Wales. Penalties for offenders could include a fine and a football banning order.
The intent of the bill is to strengthen the police’s powers to deal with people gaining access or attempting to gain access to football matches without a ticket, including providing a deterrence for those attempting it. Strengthening the law in this area was a recommendation in Baroness Casey of Blackstock’s (Crossbench) independent review of events surrounding the UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley on 11 July 2021. That match, featuring Italy against England, saw significant issues with unauthorised entry and other disorder.
The bill has government and cross-party support, with the Home Office producing the bill’s explanatory notes. It is also supported by the Football Association, police and other footballing authorities.
The bill passed its House of Commons stages unamended. It is being sponsored in the House of Lords by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour), who had introduced a similar bill in the 2023–24 session when he was the Labour MP for Cardiff West. However, that bill fell due to the calling of the 2024 general election.
Photo by Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill: Research briefing (288KB PDF)
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