Petitions/All sporting events involving the English national team category A - free to air
StatusClosed
Opened15 Aug 2025
Closes15 Feb 2026
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

The government should legislate to require any sport events where any English national team team is participating to be classed as category A so that the public who have a TV licence are able to watch live broadcasting of it.

At present, we feel wealth dictates who can watch. Being able to watch the national team could increase pride in the nation. Beyond enabling the public to watch, enjoy and support the English team live, this viewing could increase community wellbeing. Being able to watch live sports events not only provides pleasure and excitement, but may foster community cohesion and participation in sport. The loss over time of having live free coverage, is taken as given and this should not be the case. This right should be returned through legislation.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Naushabah Khan
1Naushabah Khan MP
Gillingham and Rainham
8
Matthew Pennycook
2Matthew Pennycook MP
Greenwich and Woolwich
6
Vicky Foxcroft
3Vicky Foxcroft MP
Lewisham North
4
Bambos Charalambous
4Bambos Charalambous MP
Southgate and Wood Green
4
Clive Efford
5Clive Efford MP
Eltham and Chislehurst
3
Ms Abena Oppong-Asare
6Ms Abena Oppong-Asare MP
Erith and Thamesmead
3
Jeremy Corbyn
7Jeremy Corbyn MP
Islington North
3
Daniel Francis
8Daniel Francis MP
Bexleyheath and Crayford
2
Peter Fortune
9Peter Fortune MP
Bromley and Biggin Hill
2
Dr Peter Prinsley
10Dr Peter Prinsley MP
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
2
All sporting events involving the English national team category A - free to air — Petitions