Sports venue body urges members to start preparing for Martyn's Law
Published
A global sports venue alliance has flagged that Martyn's Law is drawing closer, with the duties expected to begin in spring 2027. Here is what venue operators can take from the reminder.
What happened
The Coliseum Global Sports Venue Alliance, an industry network for stadiums and arenas, has published a reminder that Martyn's Law is moving towards commencement. The piece points out that the start of the duties is now within sight for UK venues and encourages operators to begin getting ready.
The timing, in plain terms
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025, but its duties are not in force yet. The government expects them to commence in spring 2027. The exact date has still to be confirmed, so treat any countdown as a prompt to prepare rather than a firm deadline.
What it means for venues
Nothing is enforceable today. The reminder simply reflects that the lead-in time is shrinking. Venues expecting 200 to 799 people at the same time would fall in the standard tier; those expecting 800 or more would be in the enhanced tier. The count includes staff. The SIA will regulate the regime, but its notification process is not live yet.
What to do now
Use the remaining time to get familiar. Work out the realistic maximum number of people who could be present at once, so you know which tier may apply. Start thinking about simple, sensible steps your team could take. There is no need to rush or panic, and no action is legally required of you at this stage.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at Coliseum Global Sports Venue Alliance.