Hosting of the Olympic Games affecting the staging of other Sport Events

The London 2012 Olympic Games – the bidding process

When London entered into the bidding to host the 2012 Olympic Games there will have been certain minimum requirements in relation to the dates of the event, the stadium, the Olympic Village etc which must have been agreed to prior to the bid being placed.

The London 2012 Olympic Games – the hosting agreements

When London will have been awarded the right to host the Olympic Games in 2012 an agreement between the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the hosting of the games will have to have been agreed upon. This is called the hosting agreement.

What will be contained within the hosting agreement?

The hosting agreement will deal with all aspects for the hosting of the event including how the revenues will be split and how the event will be organised.

When LOCOG signed the hosting agreement for the Olympic Games in 2012 they made a pledge that there would be no other major sporting events or competitions held which would clash with the Olympic Games.

What are the dates for the London 2012 Olympics?

The 2012 Olympics will be held in London from 27 July until 12 August 2012.

Will any other sporting events or tournaments clash with these dates?

The Football Association Premier League often starts before 12 August. The dates of the opening fixtures of the 2012/13 FA Premier League season have not been confirmed, but it is plausible that there may be a clash. What is extremely likely is that the Community Shield – an event held at Wembley Stadium – will be scheduled between these dates.

Wembley stadium is scheduled to be used during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Will LOCOG be able to push back the start of the FA Premier League season?

In order for LOCOG to meet its obligations under the Olympic hosting agreement it will need to require these events to be pushed back.

Is it legal for this to be done?

If LOCOG cannot guarantee this it will be deemed to be in breach of their obligations towards the IOC. However, there is no legal right to force the FA Premier League to alter its schedule.

However, LOCOG will be able to assert a legal right to use Wembley stadium during this period due to the contract that they have with the operators of Wembley Stadium – the Football Association.

How will this be achieved if there is no legal right?

If it is required that the FA Premier League season is to be pushed back due to the Olympics this will have to be achieved by an agreement between the sporting bodies.

Is it likely that this will happen?

Reportedly there has already been discussion between the two bodies and currently the organisers of the games are on course to having this in place.