Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to support affordable access to sporting events for young people.

The Government is keen to see as many people as possible benefit from and enjoy the spectacle of live sport. Ultimately, the matter of ticket prices is a commercial decision for individual clubs, leagues, and governing bodies to take. However, the Government remains in ongoing conversation with many of these stakeholders on a variety of issues, including fan engagement and access.

In relation to those events that benefit from Government and/or UK Sport funding to facilitate, the Gold Framework guidance on bidding for and staging major sporting events is clear that any bids to host such events should provide evidence that accessibility in all its forms has been considered from the earliest stage. Whilst the ticket pricing strategy for individual major sporting events is a matter for the respective organisers of those events, particularly their international rights’ holders, the Government will always seek to work with partners to ensure that ticketing is as accessible as possible, and balances the need to ensure audience reach and commercial viability. For example, England is hosting the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup this summer, which has an inclusive and affordable range of tickets available, with tickets starting at £10 for adults and £5 for children.