Sporting Events Bill [Lords]

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Report stage & 3rd reading
Wednesday 4th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Anna Sabine (Frome and East Somerset) (LD)]

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

[Mr Speaker]

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

New clause 2—Strategy for bidding for the FIFA World Cup—

“(1) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, publish a feasibility study and bidding plan for the United Kingdom to bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2042.

(2) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed and each subsequent year until the 2042 FIFA World Cup is allocated, the Secretary of State must lay a statement before Parliament to update on the progress of the bidding plan.”

This new clause creates a duty on the Government to prepare a UK bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2042.

New clause 3—Prohibition on fee-gouging and surge pricing—

“(1) In relation to any sporting event designated under this Act, no person may—

(a) charge, through a ticket resale platform, a transaction fee exceeding 10% of the face value amount;

(b) charge a purchaser in the primary market a transaction fee exceeding 10% of the face value amount;

(c) engage in surge pricing.

(2) In this section—

“primary market” refers to ticketing activities with an authorisation granted under Schedule 1, paragraph 3; and

“surge pricing” is ”dynamic pricing”; when prices are adjusted rapidly and frequently in response to changing demand.”

This new clause caps transaction fees for primary sales and secondary resale platforms at 10% and bans surge pricing for every sporting event designated under the Act.

New clause 4—Prohibition of gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship—

“(1) A person must not, in connection with a relevant sporting event—

(a) carry out, arrange, or permit advertising or marketing for a gambling business, facility, or brand, or

(b) enter into, give effect to, or display any sponsorship arrangement involving a gambling business.

(2) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the advertising provisions in Schedule 2 have been applied to the event under paragraph (2)(1).

(3) In this section—

“gambling business” means a business providing facilities for gambling within the meaning of section 5 of the Gambling Act 2005 (and includes a gambling brand); and

“relevant sporting event” means a sporting event in relation to which any part of the sporting events framework applies under section (2).”

This new clause prevents gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship at sporting events covered by this Bill.

New clause 6—Assessment of framework conditions—

“(1) Before making regulations under section 2 in relation to a domestic sporting event, the appropriate national authority must consult—

(a) the Competition and Markets Authority;

(b) persons who appear to the appropriate national authority to represent the interests of consumers who may wish to attend the sporting event;

(c) persons who appear to the appropriate national authority to represent businesses that would be affected by the application of the sporting events framework, including operators of secondary ticketing platforms;

(d) such other persons as the appropriate national authority considers appropriate.

(2) As part of the consultation under subsection (1), the appropriate national authority must—

(a) identify the parts of the sporting events framework proposed to be applied and explain why their application is considered appropriate;

(b) explain the basis on which it considers that each condition in section 3 applicable to the sporting event is met;

(c) set out the evidence, criteria or metrics relied upon;

(d) assess the likely effects of the proposed regulations on consumers, affected businesses and competition; and

(e) invite views on the matters set out in paragraphs (a) to (d).”

This new clause would require the appropriate national authority to consult the Competition and Markets Authority, consumers and affected businesses, and assess the potential impacts on competition and consumer choice before applying the sporting events framework to a domestic sporting event.

New clause 7—Industrial action regulations—

“(1) This section applies in relation to regulations under section 2 which apply the industrial action provisions.

(2) The regulations must specify the period during which the industrial action provisions apply.

(3) The period in subsection (2) must not be shorter than the minimum period.

(4) In subsection (2), the “minimum period” means the period—

(a) beginning on the day on which any part of the sporting events framework is applied and has effect in relation to a sporting event, and

(b) ends on the day on which all provisions of the sporting events framework cease to apply to the sporting event.”

This new clause defines the minimum period in which the appropriate national authority must apply the industrial action provisions.

New clause 8—Exception for charitable auctions—

“(1) The ticket touting offence does not apply in relation to the sale of an event ticket in an auction conducted—

(a) by a charity, or

(b) by a person other than a charity, provided that the proceeds of the event ticket’s sale are given to a charity.

(2) In subsection (1), “charity” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Charities Act 2011.”

New clause 9—Review of Government’s economic policies on the hosting of major sporting events—

“Within the period of six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must prepare, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament, a report assessing the impact of His Majesty’s Government’s economic policies on the ability of the United Kingdom to attract and host major sporting events.”

Amendment 3, in clause 1, page 1, line 10, at end insert—

“(da) Schedule 4A (“the sports rights provisions”).”

Amendment 6, page 1, line 12, at end insert—

“(f) Schedule 6 (“the industrial action provisions”)”.

This amendment inserts industrial action provisions, which would ban strikes by certain workers, including transport workers, when the sporting events framework is applied to a sporting event.

Amendment 8, page 1, line 12, at end insert—

“(f) Schedule 6 (“the single sex protections provisions”).”

Amendment 4, in clause 2, page 2, line 10, at end insert—

“(c) the sports rights provisions.”

Amendment 9, page 2, line 10, at end insert—

“(c) the single sex protections provisions.”

Amendment 7, page 2, line 10, at end insert—

“(2A) Where an appropriate national authority applies one or more of the parts of the sporting events framework to a sporting event by regulations under this section, the appropriate national authority must also apply the industrial action provisions.”

This amendment requires the appropriate national authority to apply the industrial action provisions when they apply one or more other parts of the sporting events framework to a sporting event.

Amendment 1, in clause 3, page 3, line 28, at end insert—

“(6A) The fourth condition is that the live coverage of the sporting event is made available—

(a) free of charge to all persons in the United Kingdom with access to a television or internet-connected device, or

(b) on a platform licensed by Ofcom which is accessible without subscription to members of the public in the United Kingdom.”

This amendment adds a condition for Sporting Events to be covered by this Bill, to include making the sporting event free to air.

Amendment 10, in clause 7, page 5, line 2, at end insert—

“(c) section (Exception for charitable auctions)”

Amendment 13, in clause 26, page 21, line 17, at beginning insert “Subject to subsection (4A),”

Amendment 2, page 21, line 19, leave out from “event” to end of line 20 and insert —

“(i) that takes place wholly or partly in a relevant part of the United Kingdom, and

(ii) the live coverage of which is made available—

(A) free of charge to all persons in the United Kingdom with access to a television or internet-connected device, or

(B) on a platform licensed by Ofcom which is accessible without subscription to members of the public in the United Kingdom.”

This amendment would require that any event receiving financial support from the UK Government must be broadcast free to air as a condition of that support.

Amendment 14, page 21, line 36, at end insert—

“(4A) The power under subsection (1) may only be exercised if the appropriate national legislature has approved the financial assistance by resolution.”

Amendment 15, page 21, line 41, at end insert—

“the appropriate national legislature” means—

(a) in relation to England, the House of Commons;

(b) in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Parliament;

(c) in relation to Northern Ireland, the Northern Irish Assembly.”

New schedule 1—Industrial Action Provisions—

“Part 1

Offences

Industrial action transport offences

1 (1) It is an offence for a transport worker to engage in any industrial action at any time during the specified period.

(2) It is an offence for any person to—

(a) arrange for any industrial action to be carried out by a transport worker,

(b) permit the carrying out of such action, or

(c) induce a transport worker to engage in industrial action, at any time during the specified period.

(3) In this paragraph, a “transport worker” means an employee of a transport service anywhere in the United Kingdom.

(4) The following are to be considered as transport services for the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) airport operation services;

(b) bus services;

(c) light rail services;

(d) passenger railway services.

(5) In this paragraph—

“airport operation services” has the same meaning as in section 88 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012;

“bus services” has the same meaning as in section 162 of the Transport Act 2000;

“light rail services” means passenger railway services provided on or in respect of any of the following light rail systems known at the time this Act comes into force as—

(a) Blackpool Tramway;

(b) Docklands Light Railway;

(c) Edinburgh Trams;

(d) Glasgow Subway;

(e) London Trams;

(f) London Underground;

(g) Manchester Metrolink;

(h) Nottingham Express Transit;

(i) Sheffield Supertram;

(j) Tyne & Wear Metro;

(k) West Midlands Metro;

“passenger railway services” means—

(a) services for the carriage of passengers by railway by a person providing services—

(i) under a franchise agreement within the meaning of section 23(3) of the Railways Act 1993 (“the 1993 Act”),

(ii) under, or secured under, the duty in section 30(1) of the 1993 Act,

(iii) under an agreement to which one of the persons listed in section 24A(4)(a) of the 1993 Act is a party, or

(iv) under, or secured under, section 173(1) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, or

(b) the refuelling of any locomotive or other rolling stock used for the services mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) by the person providing those services.

(6) Services relating to the following are not passenger railway services for the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) a train operation service using a railway which the Office of Rail and Road determines in accordance with regulation 2A(1) of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 is a heritage, museum or tourist railway that operates on its own network;

(b) a train operation service that starts or terminates outside Great Britain.

(7) In this paragraph—

“services for the carriage of passengers by railway” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the 1993 Act (see section 82(2) of that Act);

“locomotive” , “network”, “rolling stock”, “station”, “track” and “train” have the meanings given by section 83(1) of the 1993 Act, but in applying the definitions in that subsection, references to “railway” in the definitions are to be treated as having the meaning given in sub-paragraph;

“railway” has the meaning given by section 67(1) of the Transport and Works Act 1992 but includes a “tramway” within the meaning of that section.

Industrial action local authority offences

2 (1) It is an offence for a relevant local authority worker to engage in any industrial action at any time during the specified period.

(2) It is an offence for any person to—

(a) arrange for any industrial action to be carried out in a relevant local authority area, or

(b) permit the carrying out of such action, at any time during the specified period.

(3) In this paragraph—

“relevant local authority worker” means an employee of a relevant local authority;

“relevant local authority” means any local authority which has responsibility for the provision of one or more services in an area in which a specified sporting event, or an event that is part of the sporting event, is to be held;

“relevant local authority area” means the geographical area in which a relevant local authority has jurisdiction;

Part 2

Enforcement

Penalties on conviction

3 (1) A person guilty of an offence under this Schedule is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine;

(b) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding £50,000.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this Schedule in Scotland is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £20,000;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

Power to impose financial penalties

4 (1) The appropriate national authority may impose a financial penalty on a person if the appropriate national authority is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person has committed an offence under this Schedule in relation to the sporting event.

(2) The amount of the penalty is to be decided by the appropriate national authority, but must not be more than £20,000.

(3) Only one financial penalty may be imposed in respect of the same conduct.

(4) No financial penalty may be imposed in respect of any conduct if—

(a) the person has been convicted of an offence under this Schedule in respect of the same conduct,

(b) criminal proceedings for an offence under this Schedule in respect of the same conduct have been instituted against the person and the proceedings have not been concluded, or

(c) criminal proceedings for an offence under this Schedule in respect of the same conduct have been concluded and the person has not been convicted.

(5) A person may not be convicted of an offence under this Schedule if a financial penalty has been imposed under this paragraph in respect of the same conduct.

Notice of intention to impose financial penalty

5 (1) Before imposing a financial penalty on a person under paragraph 4, an appropriate national authority must give the person a notice (a “notice of intention”) stating that the authority proposes to do so.

(2) The notice of intention must be given before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the first day on which the authority has sufficient evidence that the person has committed an offence under part 1 of this Schedule.

(3) The notice of intention must set out—

(a) the amount of the proposed financial penalty,

(b) the reasons for proposing to impose the financial penalty, and

(c) information about the right to make representations under paragraph 6.

Right to make representations

6 (1) A person who is given a notice of intention may make written representations to the appropriate national authority which gave the notice about the proposal to impose a financial penalty.

(2) Any representations must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice of intention was given to the person.

Final notice

7 (1) After the end of the period mentioned in paragraph 6(2) the appropriate national authority must—

(a) decide whether to impose a financial penalty on the person, and

(b) if it decides to do so, decide the amount of the penalty.

(2) If the authority decides to impose a financial penalty on the person, it must give a notice to the person (a “final notice”) imposing that penalty.

(3) The final notice must require the penalty to be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice was given.

(4) The final notice must set out—

(a) the amount of the financial penalty (which may be less than the amount specified in the notice of intention, but cannot be more),

(b) the reasons for imposing the penalty,

(c) information about how to pay the penalty,

(d) the period for payment of the penalty

(e) information about rights of appeal, and

(f) the consequences of failure to comply with the notice.

Withdrawal or amendment of notice

8 (1) The appropriate national authority may at any time—

(a) withdraw a notice of intention or final notice, or

(b) reduce an amount specified in a notice of intention or final notice.

(2) The power in sub-paragraph (1) is to be exercised by giving notice to the person on whom the notice was given.

Appeals

9 (1) A person to whom a final notice is given may appeal against—

(a) the decision to impose the penalty;

(b) the amount of the penalty.

(2) The appeal may be made—

(a) in England and Wales, to the First-tier Tribunal;

(b) in Scotland, to the sheriff;

(c) in Northern Ireland, to a county court.

(3) An appeal under this paragraph must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the final notice is given to the person.

(4) If a person appeals under this paragraph, the final notice is suspended until the appeal is finally determined, withdrawn or abandoned.

(5) An appeal under this paragraph—

(a) is to be a re-hearing of the appropriate national authority’s decision, but

(b) may be determined having regard to matters of which the authority was unaware.

(6) On an appeal under this paragraph the First-tier Tribunal or the court may quash, confirm or vary the final notice.

(7) The final notice may not be varied under sub-paragraph (6) so as to make it impose a financial penalty of a greater amount than the appropriate national authority could have imposed.

Recovery of financial penalty

10 (1) This paragraph applies if a person fails to pay the whole or any part of a financial penalty which has been imposed on a person in accordance with this Schedule.

(2) In England and Wales the appropriate national authority which imposed the penalty may recover the penalty or part on the order of the county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

(3) In Scotland the penalty may be enforced in the same manner as an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff of any sheriffdom in Scotland.

(4) In Northern Ireland the authority which imposed the financial penalty may recover the penalty or part on the order of a county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

(5) In any proceedings relating to a financial penalty, a certificate that—

(a) purports to be signed by or on behalf of the person with responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority which imposed the penalty, and

(b) states that payment of the financial penalty was, or was not, received by a date specified in the certificate, is evidence of the facts stated.

Proceeds of financial penalties

11 Where a relevant enforcement authority imposes a financial penalty under paragraph 4, it may use the proceeds for the purposes of any of its functions.

No protection if union induces industrial action

12 Where industrial action is prohibited during a specified period under this Schedule, an act done by a trade union to induce or attempt to induce a person to engage in industrial action is not protected from any proceedings in tort.

Part 3

Interpretation

13 In this Schedule—

“industrial action” means action taken by workers against their employer in furtherance of a trade dispute;

“specified period” means the “minimum period" specified in the regulations as required by section [Industrial action regulations];

“strike” means any concerted stoppage of work;

“trade dispute” has the meaning given by section 244 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.”

This new Schedule establishes the industrial action provisions, referred to in Amendments 6,7 and NC7, and sets out penalties for breaching them.

New schedule 2—The single sex protection provisions—

“Protections for participants in major sporting events

1 (1) Before the Secretary of State may make regulations under section (2), the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the organiser of a sporting event will—

(a) provide that all competitors in the single-sex sporting event compete against those of the same biological sex in the interests of fairness and safety;

(b) provide that all competitors and officials in the sporting event are able to use—

(i) single sex accommodation based on their biological sex;

(ii) single sex changing and washing facilities based on their biological sex;

(iii) single sex toilets based on their biological sex.

Protections for spectators of major sporting events

2 (1) Before the Secretary of State may make regulations under section (2), the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the organiser of a sporting event will—

(a) make facilities available onsite, so that all spectators and staff, or any person attending the sporting event are able to use—

(i) single sex toilets based on their biological sex;

(ii) single sex changing and washing facilities where necessary based on their biological sex.

(2) In this section, "onsite" means a place specified or described in the regulations as required by section 11(2)(a).

Accessible facilities

3 (1) Nothing in paragraphs 1 or 2 requires that self-contained toilet, changing or washing facilities to be restricted to persons of one sex only.

(2) Self-contained facilities may be used by persons of either sex, together with any carer or assistant, provided that appropriate arrangements are made to ensure the privacy and dignity of users.

Financial Assistance

4 Before the Secretary of State may make regulations under section (26), the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the organiser of the sporting event and the organisers of associated legacy programmes and social impact initiatives comply with regulations under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

Interpretation

5 In the application of this Schedule to a sporting event by regulations under section (2), references to “single sex” means sex as defined in the Equality Act 2010.”

This new Schedule, with Amendments 8 and 9, add single-sex protection provisions to the framework to ensure the provision of single-sex competitions and facilities at major sporting events, as well as at associated events. Provides for an exemption for self-contained facilities, including for disabled people. It would also prevent relevant authorities providing funding for events that do not comply with single sex protections as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

Amendment 11, in schedule 1, page 26, line 20, at end insert—

“(4A) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a person (“A”) to advertise that an event ticket is available for purchase from another person (“B”) unless A knows, or ought to know, that B is touting an event ticket.”

This amendment mirrors a defence in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Act 2020 to ensure that the offence of advertising that an event ticket is available for purchase does not apply strict liability.

Amendment 12, page 28, line 7, at end insert—

“(2A) An authorisation under this paragraph must include a secondary ticketing condition.

(2B) A “secondary ticketing condition” is a condition that requires a person granted a ticketing authorisation under this paragraph to have and maintain a mechanism through which an event ticket can be transferred or sold to another person.”

Amendment 5, in schedule 4, page 45, line 20, at end insert—

“Schedule 4A

SPORTS RIGHTS PROVISIONS

1 (1) A sporting event betting licence is a licence issued by a sporting event controlling body which allows a gambling business to make use of information or data derived from or relating to a specified sporting event in the places, at the times and for the purposes specified in the licence.

(2) A sporting event betting licence must—

(a) provide for the sharing of information between the sporting event controlling body and the gambling business for the purpose of protecting and supporting integrity in sports and betting services; and

(b) state any fee payable by the gambling business to the sporting event controlling body in respect of the facilities for gambling in relation to the sporting event.

(3) A sporting event betting licence may prohibit betting on a particular contingency or class of contingencies in relation to a sporting event if the sporting event controlling body considers that betting on the contingency may expose the relevant sporting event or class of sporting event to unmanageable integrity risks.

(4) A sporting event betting licence takes effect, and may be terminated, in accordance with its terms.

2 (1) It is an offence for a gambling business to offer facilities for gambling in relation to a sporting event unless it is licensed to do so by the relevant sporting event controlling body through a sporting event betting licence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine;

(b) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding £50,000.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph in Scotland is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £20,000;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) Where a gambling business has been found guilty of an offence under this paragraph in England and Wales, the offence may also be investigated and the gambling business prosecuted by the Gambling Commission under section 28 of the Gambling Act 2005 as if the offence were an offence under that Act.

(5) Where a gambling business has been found guilty of an offence under this paragraph, the conduct constituting the offence is actionable by the relevant sporting event controlling body, which may seek—

(a) an injunction, or in Scotland an interdict, requiring the provision of those facilities to cease;

(b) damages.”

[Anna Sabine]

As we have said before, the Liberal Democrats welcome this Bill. We recognise that the Euros, the world cup and the Olympics have huge positive implications, such as boosting our economy and bringing people together. Making these events easier for the UK to deliver is therefore the right thing to do.

On Second Reading, I emphasised my disappointment that the Bill did not include cultural or music events—industries that also bring billions into the UK’s economy, and events that encounter many of the same problems as sporting events. I have met Ministers, and I understand their position that cultural events are not within the scope of the Bill. However, I did not want to let debate on the Bill close without emphasising again that this is a missed opportunity to support cultural and music events.

There are other areas in which the Bill could be stronger, the first of which is free-to-air sports. This year, for the first time since the champions league began in 1992, supporters could not watch the final without paying. This is the latest in a long line of events that have gone behind a paywall. Meanwhile, the BBC’s coverage of the Lionesses has inspired a generation of girls to pick up a football, and Channel 4’s Paralympics coverage has shown disabled children what is possible. Free-to-air coverage works, and amendments 1 and 2 would ensure that any event covered by this Bill or backed by public money would be available to all. As well as that, new clause 2 proposes a bidding framework to bring football home, making sure that the Government can host the 2042 world cup. The Liberal Democrats have also long argued that gambling advertising has no place in sport. New clause 4 would ban gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship from the events that are covered by this legislation.

All those amendments matter to sport, which is why I have continued to push for them during the passage of the Bill. However, the amendment I wish to push to a Division today deals with ticket touting. The Labour party manifesto says:

“Access to music, drama and sport has become difficult and expensive because of ticket touting. Labour will put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new consumer protections on ticket resales.”

That is a pledge to act, in black and white. Elsewhere, the Government have pledged to bring forward legislation that will ban ticket resales at above face value. The commitment is clear, but this Bill contains a framework for implementing all of those promises, and the Government have chosen not to act this time.

[Anna Sabine]

It would be very unwise to disagree with the hon. Member on any issue relating to this area; yes, I totally agree with her. The issue of ticket sales really needs clarification.

Every year, fans lose £145 million from tickets being resold at eye-watering prices. Every time the Government delay reforming ticket sales, more and more money is lost and—more importantly—another eager fan misses out on watching their team play. The Government keep promising further legislation down the line, but the Liberal Democrats are calling for action to be taken now, which is why we have tabled new clause 1. This new clause does what the Government have promised and what this Bill fails to do: it stops tickets being resold at above face value. It would mean that no more fans are priced out by an algorithm and no more touts profit at the expense of the people who love sport, and also live music and theatre. The Government say that they back reform; today, they can prove it. I hope this House will vote to support new clause 1.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Chris Vince.

[Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think we are seeing a first in this House—a debate in which the Member for Harlow is called first. I welcome it. You are in a good mood, Mr Speaker, because it is Lancashire Day today.

[Mr Speaker]

No, it is not.

[Chris Vince]

Well, as a sort of adopted Yorkshireman, I look forward to celebrating it with you.

It is a pleasure to speak in this debate. As you know, Mr Speaker, I am a keen football supporter, and although the fortunes of both Harlow Town and Leeds United have been somewhat inconsistent in recent years—I know that the hon. Member for Bridlington and The Wolds (Charlie Dewhirst), who is sitting opposite me, is looking forward to a positive Farke-led revolution—I feel an immense sense of pride when the country hosts sporting events. I think not only of the 2012 Olympics; I am old enough to remember Euro ’96, when football came home, but perhaps not in all the ways we hoped it would.

I also pay tribute to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy), for her commitment and dedication to sport in this country. Whether it is grassroots football teams such as the league-winning Roydon FC or our Ballon d’Or winning England captain Harry Kane—

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)]

Or Wigan Warriors!

[Mr Speaker]

Order!

[Chris Vince]

I know that sport, and indeed the fantastic rugby league players who I know, Mr Speaker, you regularly cheer on—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lisa Nandy]

They do not have it in Chorley either!

[Mr Speaker]

Order!

[Chris Vince]

Maybe between us, we can change that. [Interruption.] I feel like I have started an argument between Mr Speaker and the Secretary of State that the Secretary of State is not going to win, so I will move on quickly.

Sport has the opportunity not only to improve people’s lives, but to change people’s lives. I have formed friendships by standing at Harlow Town football club week in, week out, and I am forever grateful for having had that opportunity. This Bill will strengthen the UK’s position as a world-leading host of major sporting events by establishing a legal framework that makes it easier to host international competitions, and strengthen our advantage when bidding for future tournaments.

I welcome some of the suggestions made by the Liberal Democrats in their amendments, but I believe that the Bill in its current form already addresses unauthorised ticket touting. We need to see the back of that menace. We want real sports fans to have the opportunity to go to these sporting events.