Football Governance Act 2025

15 Operating licences

(1) A club may not operate a relevant team unless it holds either—

(a) a provisional operating licence, or

(b) a full operating licence.

(2) A provisional operating licence authorises a club to operate a relevant team on a provisional basis prior to the grant of a full operating licence.

(3) A full operating licence authorises a club to operate a relevant team on an ongoing basis.

(4) The IFR may, in accordance with the provisions of this Part—

(a) grant a provisional operating licence to a club that applies for one under section 16;

(b) grant a full operating licence to a club that holds a provisional operating licence (see section 18).

(5) An operating licence must specify—

(a) the club to which it relates,

(b) each relevant team operated by the club,

(c) the conditions attached to the licence by the IFR under section 20,

(d) any conditions attached to the licence by the IFR under section 21, and

(e) such other information as may be specified by the IFR in rules.

(6) The IFR must specify the form of an operating licence in rules.