The 2026-2026 football season in England and Wales saw notable changes in arrests, banning orders, and reported incidents, including new categories of offenses and a slight decrease in overall arrests.
The 2026-2026 domestic football season in England and Wales brought significant updates to the landscape of football-related incidents. From new categories of offenses to changes in banning orders, the season provided a wealth of data for analysis. This report delves into the trends, statistics, and key developments that shaped the season.
The Home Office, responsible for compiling these statistics, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of football-related arrests, banning orders, and incidents. The data covers a wide range of offenses, from public disorder to unauthorised entry, and includes insights into the effectiveness of current measures and the introduction of new ones.
Key Statistics and Trends
During the 2026-2026 season, there were 1,963 football-related arrests and other police actions, marking a 2% decrease compared to the previous season. This decrease is even more significant when excluding the newly added offense of unauthorised entry, which accounted for 45 arrests.
The total number of arrests and police actions decreased by 4% when this offense is not considered.
The season also saw an increase in football banning orders. As of June 1, 2026, there were 2,460 active banning orders, a 1% increase from the previous year. However, the number of new banning orders issued during the season decreased by 17% compared to the same period in the 2026-2026 season.
Reported Incidents and New Categories
Incidents were reported in relation to 1,644 club and international football matches, a 4% increase from the previous season. This increase was largely driven by the introduction of new categories, such as sexism and misogyny, and violence against women and girls. These new categories accounted for a significant portion of the reported incidents, highlighting the evolving nature of football-related offenses.
The collection of data for this report involved feedback from users and a commitment to improving the presentation and dissemination of statistics. The Home Office aims to support all types of users by making the data more accessible and useful. The accompanying data tables provide supplementary information to enhance the understanding of the statistics presented.
Offense Types and Locations
The most common offense types during the 2026-2026 season were public disorder (38%), violent disorder (19%), and possession of Class A drugs (17%). These figures reflect the ongoing challenges in maintaining order and safety at football matches. The majority of arrests and police actions took place inside football stadia, with 54% occurring within the venues.
Most of the arrests and police actions were related to supporters of clubs in the top 6 tiers of English football, accounting for 92% of the total. This highlights the concentration of incidents in high-profile matches and the need for targeted measures to address these issues.
European Club Competitions and International Matches
Football-related arrests and other police actions relating to European club competitions decreased significantly. There were 136 arrests and police actions related to club matches played in European competitions, a notable reduction from the previous season. Additionally, there were no arrests related to internationals held outside England and Wales during the domestic season period.
The data for the 2026-2026 season will be further supplemented with statistics covering the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be published in autumn 2026. This will provide a more comprehensive overview of football-related incidents throughout the year.
The Home Office remains committed to regularly reviewing the usefulness, clarity, and accessibility of the statistics published under the Code of Practice for Statistics. User feedback is encouraged to support the future development of these statistics and expand their reach. The user engagement survey is an essential tool for gathering insights and improving the presentation of data.
