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ARTICLE · 21 AUGUST 2026

Litigation Trends In Sports Disputes

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
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Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin

Joint managing partners: Jo Farmer, Richard Miskella International offices: Dublin, Hong Kong...

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The commercial value of sport has surged in recent years, bringing with it a sharp rise in legal disputes across the sector. From high-stakes broadcasting deals and sponsorship arrangements to complex investment structures and evolving regulatory frameworks, the landscape has become increasingly contentious. Since 2020, sports-related litigation in English courts has increased more than sixfold, with football leading the charge alongside motorsport, horse racing, and other major sports.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Giorgia Merighi
Giorgia Merighi
Diana Tarnavskaia
Diana Tarnavskaia
Duran Ross
Duran Ross
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As the commercial value of sport continues to grow, disputes are becoming increasingly common. High-value broadcasting agreements, sponsorship arrangements, investment structures and regulatory obligations have raised the stakes for clubs, governing bodies, athletes and investors alike.

Reflecting this trend, more than 135 sports-related disputes have been recorded in the English courts since 2020, with annual filings increasing from just 6 cases in 2020 to 40 in 20241. In the football sector, the first half of 2026 has already seen 13 new claims and 9 insolvency-related matters, suggesting that this upward trajectory is likely to continue.

What types of claims are we seeing?

Sports-related disputes now span virtually every division of the High Court, with the following claim types being the most common:

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