Overview

• The Football Governance Act secured Royal Assent on July 21, formally establishing the Independent Football Regulator as a statutory body separate from government and football authorities.
• The regulator will license clubs from the Premier League down to the National League, enforcing financial sustainability measures, Owners’ and Directors’ Tests and fan engagement requirements.
• It besitzt backstop powers to impose a binding financial settlement between the Premier League and the English Football League if they fail to reach an agreement on revenue distribution.
• A Shadow Football Regulator transition team has been engaging with clubs and supporter groups since early 2025, and media executive David Kogan is expected to be appointed chair ahead of the regulator’s launch.
• New statutory protections will safeguard club heritage, bar breakaway competitions and require regulator approval for stadium relocations to enhance accountability to supporters.