The new law follows a review of crowd disorder at the Euro 2020 final, which highlighted security failures. This legislation, effective from March 20, 2026, establishes that entering a football match without a ticket will become a criminal offence. Offenders will face a football banning order of up to five years and a maximum fine of £1,000. This move is aimed at addressing the issue of tailgating, where supporters enter through turnstiles by following legitimate ticket holders.

The introduction of this law comes in the wake of serious disorder witnessed during the Euro 2020 final, where approximately 2,000 individuals gained entry illegally. The Football Association commissioned a report that indicated the chaos could have led to fatalities. Prior to this act, there were no specific legal penalties for entering a football match without a ticket, highlighting a significant gap in crowd management regulations.

Baroness Louise Casey, who has been vocal about the need for stricter measures, stated, “Forcing your way into a football match without a ticket isn’t harmless.” She emphasized that making tailgating a criminal offence sends a clear message that such behavior is dangerous and will not be tolerated. The legislation also makes it illegal to use forged tickets or impersonate staff to gain entry, further tightening security protocols at matches.