European Championship (Scotland) Bill passes final stage in Scottish Parliament

Under the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill anyone caught reselling tickets will face a fine of up to £5,000.

Glasgow is one of 12 host cities for UEFA EURO 2020 and is expected to welcome an estimated 200,000 fans during the Championship.

The Bill will ensure Scots law complies with UEFA’s requirements for hosting matches. To help ensure a positive fan experience, it will also provide for three event zones during the tournament – at Hampden Park, George Square and the Merchant City, where restrictions on street trading and advertising will apply.

Europe Minister Ben Macpherson said: “It’s great that Parliament has unanimously passed this Bill, which will prevent unfair ticket touting, help deliver four successful EURO 2020 matches at Hampden Park, create a fan zone in the centre of Glasgow throughout the tournament, and further enhance Scotland’s excellent reputation for hosting major sporting events.

“By ensuring fair access to tickets through this ticket touting ban, and by facilitating top-class football entertainment in the George Square Football Village, as well as in the Merchant City fan zone, this law will help make sure that as many fans as possible have the chance to experience EURO 2020 when it comes to Glasgow next year.”

Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow has a fantastic reputation for hosting spectacular major sporting events, and for exceeding expectations whilst also setting new high standards for championships and competitions across the globe. “We achieved our title as one of the top five sporting cities in the world, and the world's leading festival and events destination, by consistently punching above our weight in the sporting world – and that has included prioritising spectators to our events, ensuring fans and visitors to the city have an enjoyable experience.

“The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill will allow us to make sure as many people as possible can get to the four EURO 2020 matches at Hampden Park, and without overpaying touts attempting to gain from reselling tickets.”

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “We look forward to welcoming fans from across Europe for UEFA EURO 2020 and are confident Glasgow and Hampden Park can become the life and soul of the 60th anniversary party. “Having the Scotland supporters cheering on Steve Clarke and the national team in the tournament would be the ultimate spectacle. “The Bill helps ensure that fans from across the continent can experience UEFA EURO 2020, a memorable, world-class sporting event, co-hosted in an unforgettable, world-class sporting city.”

Four EURO 2020 matches will be held at Hampden Park between 15 to 30 June, providing a significant boost to the Scottish economy. Hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games was estimated to have added around £740 million in gross terms to the Scottish economy, and the 2007 UEFA Cup Final at Hampden resulted in estimated gross expenditure of more than £16.3 million.