Welcome to Sports Law+

Welcome to Bird & Bird's Sports Law+, where we set out the services we offer to sports sector clients, and describe the vast sector expertise and experience that have made us the number one ranked law firm in this field for more than a decade. The accolades we receive from independent bodies, based on feedback from our clients and our competitors, speak for themselves:

Our international sports team includes numerous sports law specialists who work exclusively on sports-related matters, including specialists in non-contentious matters (in particular, corporate, commercial and financing transactions) and in contentious matters (drafting and enforcement of regulations and pursuing and defending challenges to sports governing body actions and decisions).

We work in a broad range of sports, including football, athletics, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, cricket, cycling, golf, biathlon, horse-racing and other equestrian sports, esports, motorsport, ice hockey, field hockey, skiing, basketball, netball, badminton, para-sport, squash, sailing, kickboxing, curling, darts, combat sports, snooker, and more. Our clients include international federations, national governing bodies, public agencies/ bodies, event organisers and other sports rights-holders, anti-doping organisations, clubs and teams, broadcasters and sports social media platforms/sites, sponsors, commercial agencies, sports gambling organisations, esports organisations, sports equipment manufacturers, and sports activities providers.

As a reflection of their standing in the field, many of the Sports Group’s lawyers write chapters for the authoritative practitioner’s guide, Sport: Law & Practice, edited by Bird & Bird’s Jonathan Taylor QC and Blackstone Chambers’ Adam Lewis QC (Bloomsbury, 4th Edn, 2021). Details about the book can be accessed here.

Click through to learn more about the different areas of advice we deliver on a regular basis;