Record Number of Football Matches Reported for Incidents in England and Wales
Last season, England and Wales witnessed an unprecedented surge in the reporting of incidents related to football matches, even as the rate of arrests began to resemble figures from before the pandemic. According to the Home Office’s annual report released Thursday, there was a 4% increase in matches documenting “football-related anti-social behavior, violence, and disorder” during the 2025-26 season. The total reached 1,644 incidents, up from 1,580 in the previous season.
Arrest Statistics and Competition Insights
The Home Office projected that there would be four arrests—or actions such as voluntary police interviews—for every 100,000 attendees at men’s football matches in 2025-2026. The FA Cup emerged as the tournament most likely to lead to arrests, while the total arrests in women’s football were notably low, amounting to just four.
Arrests Reflect Changes in Data Collection
In total, last season recorded 1,695 arrests, a decrease from 1,744 in the 2024-25 season, and significantly lower than the pandemic high of 2,198 during the 2021-22 season. This year’s statistics reflect modifications in data collection methods, including the recent addition of “illegal entry” as a punishable offense under the 1989 Soccer Spectator Act. In the current season, 45 arrests were made under the new law; without it, overall arrests and punishments would have dipped by 4%.
Introduction of New Reporting Categories
This season also saw the introduction of new categories such as ‘sexism and misogyny’ as well as ‘violence against women and girls,’ enabling supporters to report these offenses to police and organizations like the FA and Kick It Out. Reports revealed that sexist behavior was cited in 22 matches and incidents of violence against women were reported in 37 games. The Home Office indicated that the overall increase in reported incidents was largely driven by the introduction of these categories.
Nature of Reported Incidents
The most frequently reported type of incident was categorized as ‘hate crime,’ noted in 491 matches. This was followed by incidents involving the firing of missiles, reported in 359 matches, and the use of fireworks, documented in 316 contests.
Football Bans and Enforcement Trends
Additional data from the Home Office highlighted a rise in football bans—sanctions preventing individuals convicted of football-related offenses from attending matches. The current number stands at 2,460, the highest since 2012, representing an increase of 568 from the previous season, albeit less than the 685 recorded in the 2024-25 season.
Call for Funding Review in Football Policing
Mark Roberts, Chief Constable and head of football policing in England and Wales, pointed out that 46% of arrests and enforcement actions occurred outside stadiums. He urged a reassessment of funding for football policing, emphasizing that the financial burden of £70 million a season on taxpayers is unsustainable. Roberts remarked, “Football-related crime doesn’t stop just because fans leave the stadium, yet current legislation allows multi-billion-pound clubs to evade expenses for off-ground security.”
Response from the Premier League
A spokesperson for the Premier League stated that the league and its clubs collaborate closely with police at both national and local levels to maintain a safe environment for all fans. The Premier League is investing over £90 million each season into community management, security, crime prevention, and technology-driven initiatives, working alongside various police forces and the UK Football Police Unit. They highlighted that ongoing reductions in arrest numbers over the past decade demonstrate the effectiveness of this preventive partnership.
