What's happened
The Home Office reports a rise in football-related incidents across 2025-26, marking the highest number of reported incidents since UKFPU data began in 2017-18. Chief Constable Mark Roberts says funding for policing outside stadiums must change, arguing taxpayers currently shoulder about 70m yearly while clubs face policing costs near zero. The Premier League and police forces defend partnership-based approaches and continued reductions in arrests.
What's behind the headline?
Context and implications
- The data highlight the financial strain on public funds and ongoing debate over who should pay for policing at football matches.
- Police and government officials emphasise partnerships with clubs to maintain safety, while critics argue the current model is unsustainable.
- The rise in online hate crimes alongside static or falling arrest numbers suggests policing focus is shifting toward digital and community safety.
What to watch next
- Potential policy recommendations on club contributions and policing costs.
- The response from the Premier League and clubs to any government-led reform proposals.
- Changes to how future seasons are policed and funded, including technology-led crime prevention pilots.
How we got here
A Home Office release details 1,644 incidents at matches in 2025-26, with 2,460 banning orders in force by June 1, 2026. The data underline a funding model in which taxpayers fund most policing outside grounds, spurring renewed calls for reform as authorities note online abuse rising 73% year-on-year and arrests dipping slightly.
Our analysis
Independent reports that 1,644 incidents occurred at 2025-26 matches, the highest since 2017-18; Home Office figures place total policing cost on taxpayers at around £70m. BBC Business provides context on high-severity incidents and the broader policing framework, while referencing expert opinion on crowd behaviour and the effectiveness of current policing practices.
Go deeper
- Will there be a formal government or league-backed plan to rebalance policing costs?
- How will clubs respond if the funding model changes—will they increase sponsorship or security investments?
- What lessons are drawn from the rise in online hate crimes for future policy?
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