Licensing questions answered ahead of Fury vs Usyk fight

Later this week (Saturday 18 May) WBC champion Tyson Fury and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk will battle for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship fight.

Dubbed the ‘Ring of Fire’, the event will be live on TNT Sports​ Box Office from 5pm UK time and the event is set to run until 1am, with the main event ring walk expected at 11pm, meaning operators may need to check licensing conditions that may apply.

Q&A:

Q:​​ I am thinking of showing the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury boxing match in my pub this weekend after some of my customers have shown interest. Do I need a licence for this and are there any issues I should be concerned about?

A:​​ The showing of live television broadcasts is not a licensable activity and, therefore, no premises licence or temporary event notice (TEN) is required.

However, should you intend to broadcast pre-recorded matches prior to or during intermissions, then this may be a film which is a licensable activity.

It is also important to note that as we gear up for a flurry of summer events including the Champions League Final, EUFA Euro 2024, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and Paralympics, you may also be contemplating screening these events outdoors.

If that is the case, the same rules as above apply, but you will also need to check your premises licence to ensure you do not have any conditions that would restrict your usage of the outdoor area. Should restraints exist, securing a TEN might be necessary.

A full list of popular dates and their temporary event notice deadlines can be found here.

It is also advisable to exercise caution when it comes to a sizable turnout of enthusiastic supporters.

The loud cheers and passionate debates may risk disturbing neighbours, and, potentially prompting complaints to either you or your local authority. This is an important factor to consider.

• Paula Kioko​ is a marketing associate at Poppleston Allen​​