Tue, October 14, 2025
Independent Football Regulator to introduce Club Licensing System from 2027
The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has implemented a rule which will require all Premier League, English Football League and National League clubs to meet criteria to secure a licence to play, starting from the 2027-28 season.
Clubs within the top five leagues in English football: the Premier League, English Football League (EFL), EFL League One, EFL League Two, and Step One of the National League will need to present the following to the Independent Football Regulator, which was officially established on July 21, 2025:
- Their financial plans
- How they are engaging with supporters (on topics such as business priorities, club heritage and ticket prices)
- How they meet corporate governance standards
Chair of the IFR, David Kogan, stated: “This latest consultation sets out the new requirements clubs will have to meet on financial regulation, fan consultation and corporate governance…
This is a transformational change for football and we will support clubs at every step to reinforce these higher standards.”
The IFR stated that it will place “significant emphasis on clubs' liquidity positions and the sources of funding on which they rely…
The IFR will work with clubs to stress-test their finances, to improve decision-making and ensure long-term resilience…
Should clubs be unable to demonstrate sound financial planning, the IFR will have the ability to require clubs to take steps to better manage day-to-day spending, such as increasing cash reserves, controlling costs or reducing debt.”
Before this, and in order to secure a provisional licence, clubs must also declare their ultimate owner and present a business plan. It is likely to take clubs the full three-year period to secure a full licence.
Even though this rule is officially scheduled for the 2027-28 season onwards, the 116 clubs that it concerns will need to apply for licenses next season too (2026-27). This will act as a pilot for the following season. The IFR described the introduction of the criteria and licence rule as a “preventative, risk-based approach.” Clubs will also need to publicly and transparently report on how they’re abiding to the code “to foster good governance, decision-making, and improve overall club management.”
Owners who cannot prevent such risks will need to sell their club “as a last resort.”
Another application window for clubs who wish to be promoted to Step One of the National League – and therefore also be subject to the IFR criteria – will run between early March and the end of April 2027.
Image courtesy of Flickr. For full licence details, please see here.
