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 2024[1]. 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:

• Personal injury;
• Commercial (relating to sponsorship, broadcasting rights, ownership disputes);
• Media and communications (relating to defamation, privacy, image rights); and
• Intellectual property (relating to merchandising, advertising, design rights).

Since 2019, the Insolvency and Companies List has also seen over 70 cases involving football clubs, most of which are winding-up petitions.

By sport, the following have generated the highest volume of litigation (in descending order):

• Football;
• Motorsport;
• Horse racing/equestrian and rugby;
• Sailing, boxing and golf; and
• Other sports (e.g. skiing, paragliding, cycling).

Why are sports disputes on the rise?

Several structural factors are converging to drive the upward trend in sports-related litigation:

• Growing commercial complexity: Modern sport involves multi-layered commercial arrangements, from broadcasting deals, naming rights, image licensing to performance bonuses and revenue-sharing mechanisms, each of which creates potential friction points;
• Increased investment and multi-club ownership: The rise of multi-club ownership models, private equity involvement and cross-border investment structures has introduced new layers of complexity. The influx of investment has also expanded the pool of funds available to finance litigation; and
• Heightened regulatory scrutiny: Regulators and governing bodies are taking a more interventionist approach to financial sustainability, spending controls and governance standards, creating new compliance obligations and, where those are breached, new avenues for dispute. One of the most significant recent regulatory developments is the establishment of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR). The IFR is introducing a new licensing and oversight regime for football clubs, with responsibilities spanning financial sustainability, ownership, and governance. As the regime becomes operational, it is likely to generate new areas of potential dispute, including challenges to regulatory decisions, disagreements arising from enhanced reporting requirements, and disputes linked to ownership and governance changes required by the new framework. For more information on the IFR and its impact, visit our dedicated page here. 

Managing risk and resolving disputes

The increase in sports-related disputes does not mean they are inevitable. The likelihood of disputes can often be reduced through proactive planning, strong governance and effective risk management.

Before a dispute has arisen:

Prevention is often the most effective form of dispute management. Clubs and other stakeholders can reduce the likelihood of disputes arising by investing in:

• Robust contract drafting: Clear and well-structured agreements that address potential areas of disagreement and include appropriate dispute resolution, termination and governing law provisions;
• Regular legal health checks: Periodic reviews of key commercial arrangements, governance structures and regulatory compliance to identify and mitigate risks at an early stage; and
• Strong governance and compliance frameworks: Effective internal controls, particularly in relation to financial reporting, ownership transparency and regulatory compliance, can help minimise exposure to regulatory intervention and third-party claims.

After a dispute has arisen: 

Many sports disputes can be resolved more quickly and cost-effectively if addressed before formal proceedings become necessary. ADR encompasses a range of processes designed to facilitate early and efficient resolution, including:

• Mediation: A confidential process in which a neutral third party helps the parties reach a negotiated settlement. Mediation is particularly well-suited to sports disputes where preserving ongoing commercial relationships (for example, between a club and a sponsor) is important;
• Arbitration: A private and binding process in which an independent arbitrator (or panel) determines the dispute. Arbitration offers confidentiality, a significant advantage where reputational concerns are paramount, and can be faster than court proceedings; and
• Negotiation and without-prejudice discussions: Structured early engagement between the parties, often with legal advisers, allows meaningful settlement to be explored before proceedings are issued.

Notwithstanding the growth in litigation and the increasing use of ADR more broadly, the resolution of sports disputes will likely continue to rest on arbitration. This is because the rules of most sports themselves require disputes to be resolved via arbitration, usually conducted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS is an international body established in 1984 that is often referred to as the "Supreme Court of Sport" owing to the pivotal role it plays in resolving high-stakes disputes across the sporting world. We recently wrote about the growth of CAS in our article on the Growth and challenges of sports disputes in 2026.

In sport, disputes can have consequences beyond the immediate legal and financial issues. Public proceedings may attract media attention, affect stakeholder confidence and place commercial relationships under strain. ADR mechanisms offer a confidential means of resolving disputes while reducing these wider risks.

How we can help

Our cross-practice Sports team advises clubs, governing bodies, investors, athletes and commercial partners across the full range of sports-related disputes, governance issues and commercial contracts. Whether you are facing a live dispute, managing a regulatory challenge, or putting proactive risk management structures and contracts in place, we can help. To discuss how we can support you, please get in touch with the authors, your usual contact or a member of our Sports team.