Safety of sports grounds
Do you need a safety certificate?
If you operate a sports ground in England, Scotland or Wales that holds more than 10,000 spectators, you may need a safety certificate.
There are two types of certificates:
- general safety certificate – for on-going use of the ground for specific activities, during an indefinite period
- special safety certificate – for specific events or occasions
Safety certificates are obtained from us. You must comply with any terms or conditions attached to a certificate.
Apply for a sports ground safety certificate
Tell us about a change to your existing certificate
Further information
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must be able to prevent any breach of the certificate’s terms and conditions.
How applications are assessed
You must send all requested information and plans to us within the time given. If you do not provide this information on time, your application will be withdrawn.
We will assess whether you are able to meet the terms and conditions of the safety certificate.
We will also consult with other authorities before issuing or transferring a certificate:
In England and Wales
- We will send a copy of your application to:
- the chief police officer
- the fire and rescue authority (if different from the local authority)
- the building authority (if different from the local authority)
These organisations will be consulted about the terms and conditions of the certificate.
Transferring a safety certificate
If you apply to transfer a certificate, we will check whether the new holder would qualify for a certificate if they applied directly.
We will also consult the same authorities listed above before approving any transfer, amendment or replacement of a certificate.
What happens if you don’t hear back?
Tacit consent does not apply
This means your application is not automatically approved if you don’t hear from us. If you haven’t received a response in a reasonable time, please contact us.
If your application is refused
Please contact us in the first instance.
You can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court if:
- you are refused a certificate
- you disagree with a condition or omission
- your request to amend or replace a certificate is denied
Complaints and redress
If you have a complaint:
- contact the certificate holder first
- if unresolved, contact Consumer Direct (UK) or the UK European Consumer Centre (outside the UK)
Anyone responsible for ensuring a safety certificate is followed can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court if they disagree with a condition, omission, or refusal to amend or replace the certificate.