With heightened emotions, high volumes of alcohol consumption, and temporary outdoor spaces being rapidly deployed, local authorities and police forces will be heavily monitoring premises to ensure strict compliance with licensing objectives. Failing to address these areas can turn a profitable tournament into an operational disaster.

Expert, Julie Gowland, Partner and Head of Licensing at Birketts LLP, shared a vital breakdown of these pitfalls with event branding specialists Monster-Mesh, contributing to their recent guide to help venues host a safe and successful tournament:

1. Avoid overfilling premises beyond their licensed capacity

From an alcohol licensing and safety perspective, major sporting events create a perfect storm of risk: large crowds, extended trading hours, heightened emotions, and often temporary setups that haven’t been properly stress-tested. One of the most common issues is overfilling premises beyond their licensed capacity, which can quickly lead to serious safety concerns and potential breaches of licence conditions.

2. Assuming flexibility for ‘one off’ events

Another frequent mistake is operating outside of licence permissions, even where temporary extensions are in place. I have seen businesses assume that because it is a “one-off” event there is greater flexibility, but that is rarely the case. Licensing conditions still apply in full, and any variation or extension must be strictly adhered to.

3. Failing to plan or risk assess adequately

There can also be a lack of proper planning around security, stewarding, and crowd management, particularly where venues are not used to handling large-scale events. Failing to risk assess adequately or to put appropriate measures in place can expose businesses to enforcement action.

4. Inadequate training for staff

Additionally, inadequate staff training – especially around refusing service, managing intoxicated customers, and dealing with conflict – can create significant problems on the day.

5. Failing to engage with authorities early in the planning stage

Finally, businesses often underestimate the importance of early engagement with responsible authorities, such as the police and local licensing officers, which is crucial to ensuring compliance and avoiding issues as the event approaches.

Operators are strongly encouraged to treat these points as an immediate compliance checklist. Structuring queues using crowd management barriers, monitoring capacities tightly at all entrances, and setting clear boundaries in outdoor spaces can ensure an event is safe, orderly, and legally sound.