UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: final business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA)

Section 5: Next steps and implementation

Recommendations/ preferred options

The Scottish Government recommends Option 3 – Bespoke EURO 2028 legislation to meet UEFA’s requirements for hosting EURO 2028 through proportionate restrictions on trading, advertising and ticket touting.

This would meet the requirements to co-host the event. It would protect against ambush marketing, protect sponsorship rights, and proportionately restrict trading activity to meet the key objectives already set out. It would do so while ensuring, as far as possible, that existing businesses can continue to operate as usual.

Implementation considerations/ plan

If the Bill is passed by the Scottish Parliament, the current intention is to lay regulations approximately one year before EURO 2028. These would set event zone times and locations where restrictions would apply and make any final amendments that may be required to what activity is or is not permitted in these zones. Key stakeholders, including EURO 2028 delivery partners and businesses in proposed event zones, would be involved in developing these regulations. This engagement would also support development of guidance to be issued to businesses by Glasgow City Council at a similar time.

The ticketing offence would apply from when EURO 2028 tickets go on sale. Enforcement of street trading and advertising restrictions in event zones would apply for a limited period of time during and around the event in summer 2028.

Post implementation review

The Bill would cease to be in effect a short period after the end of EURO 2028. Evaluation plans for EURO 2028 as a whole are still to be developed. We expect legislation will be included in this evaluation and will be engaging with partners on this. Once tournament evaluation scope is clearer, the Scottish Government will determine whether any further specific evaluation of the legislation is required.

Declaration

I have read the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, and I am satisfied that it represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected costs, benefits and impact of the policy, and that these have been taken into account when making the policy decision. I am satisfied that business impact has been assessed with the support of businesses in Scotland.

I am also satisfied that officials have considered the impact on consumers as required by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 in completion of the Consumer Duty section of this BRIA.

Signed: Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business

Date: 5 March 2025

Scottish Government Contact point: majorevents@gov.scot