UK sports bodies invested a record £213.2m of broadcast revenues over the last year to grow their sport and support grassroots delivery. This represents a new record amount and an increase of £15.3m compared to the previous compliance period.
The commitment forms part of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Broadcasting of Major Sporting Events, which is administered and supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance. The Code requires signatories to put a minimum of 30% of net broadcasting revenues back into their respective sports and to make their events available to free-to-air broadcasters in live, recorded or highlights format so they can be viewed by as many people as possible.
The Football Association, the Rugby Football League, Rugby Football Union, The England and Wales Cricket Board, The R&A and the Lawn Tennis Association (jointly with the All England Lawn Tennis Club on behalf of The Championships, Wimbledon) were assessed as compliant with both requirements of the Code.
For this year, the Rugby Football League (RFL) returned to compliance with the reinvestment principle, as well as remaining compliant with the accessibility principle, having been slightly below the 30% threshold in the previous compliance period.
Bodies who are signatories to the accessibility principle only, and were compliant in this regard, were the European Tour, the Premier League, UK Athletics, and Women’s Super League Football. WSL Football is a new signatory to the Code, as they have operated independently from The FA since August 2024 regarding their broadcasting arrangements.
The reinvestment of broadcast revenues generated by major sports events and competitions represents an important commitment to support community clubs and groups and provides opportunities for sport and physical activity for all.
Commenting on the year’s review of Code compliance, Chair Nick Humby said:
“I am pleased to announce that we have seen yet another increase to the record levels of investment into grassroots sports by signatories to the Voluntary Code on Broadcasting. Sports have rallied in recent years to overcome some of the financial challenges that they experienced resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is now fantastic growth year-on-year as sports recover at both elite and grassroots level. Reinvestment into grassroots sport is highly valued by signatories to the code to ensure long-term development of their sports, and the fact that major sports bodies have reinvested at least 30% of broadcast revenues demonstrates this ongoing commitment. It is vital that sports ensure that the grassroots level is sustained due to the benefits it brings by improving public health and wellbeing, uniting communities and giving opportunities for all to get involved.
“By providing major sporting events free-to-air and reinvesting revenues at grassroots level, people across Britain will continue to be inspired and motivated to participate in grassroots sport and recreation, ensuring that sports have a broad talent pool which will ultimately sustain elite growth and development.”
Take a look at how this reinvestment is helping grassroots sport and communities in this short video:
For more information about the Code, and more case studies, head to our dedicated Voluntary Code page.
We welcome the publication of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s “Game On: Community and School Sport” report, which identifies a series of recommendations to government to strengthen grassroots sport and physical activity.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to confirm appointments to the National Governing Body (NGB) Coalition Management Committee, alongside existing NGB Coalition Division Chair, Ralph Rimmer OBE, and Deputy Chair, Jack Baker.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to welcome Justine Baynes to the Board to fill a casual vacancy.
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