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UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill

This Bill bans certain commercial activities from taking place in relation to the UEFA European Football Championship that is to be held, in part, in Glasgow. Scotland will be one of the host nations for the 2028 Championship (EURO 2028).

This is a Government bill

The Bill was introduced on 12 March 2025 and is at Stage 1

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

This Bill bans certain commercial activities from taking place in relation to the UEFA European Football Championship that is to be held, in part, in Glasgow. Scotland will be one of the host nations for the 2028 Championship (EURO 2028).

The Bill will ban:

  • the unauthorised sale of Championship tickets for more than the face value or with a view to making a profit
  • unauthorised street trading within an event zone at a prohibited time during the Championship period
  • unauthorised advertising within an event zone at a prohibited time during the Championship period.

The Bill will also:

  • create criminal offences for ticket touting, and for unauthorised street trading and advertising
  • give powers to enforce the advertising, street trading and ticket touting offences
  • create a criminal offence of obstructing enforcement officers in their duties, such as not giving information when asked to
  • ensure Glasgow City Council publishes guidance on trading and advertising within event zones, and offers alternative trading arrangements to affected street traders.

The Bill will be automatically repealed on 31 December 2028.

Why the Bill was created

EURO 2028 will be co-hosted by and the UK and Ireland, with the matches held in Scotland due to take place at Hampden Park in Glasgow. There will also be at least one official UEFA fan zone in Glasgow.

For EURO 2028, UEFA has set specific requirements that hosts must meet. The Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government to meet its commitments to UEFA in relation to commercial rights, and to allow Scotland to be able to host EURO 2028 matches.

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (210KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Policy Memorandum (228KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Financial Memorandum (306KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Delegated Powers Memorandum (189KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Explanatory Notes (268KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Policy Memorandum (316KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Financial Memorandum (266KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Delegated Powers Memorandum (242KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Statements on legislative competence (161KB, pdf) posted 12 March 2025

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

A research briefing will be published in due course.

The Bill was introduced on 12 March 2025

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

Meetings of the lead committee

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

The lead committee will publish a stage 1 report before the debate on the general principles of the Bill.