Cyprus authorities announce strict stadium safety and licensing measures

On August 26, 2026, the Cypriot Minister of Justice held a meeting with representatives from the Police, the Stadium Licensing Authority, the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA), and the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) to address urgent safety and licensing issues at football venues. The authorities decided to implement a specific roadmap to resolve compliance gaps in every stadium as soon as possible.

The Stadium Licensing Authority, in coordination with the KOP and KOA, has been tasked with overseeing the execution of this roadmap. This initiative comes in light of the fact that the licenses for several stadiums are set to expire on August 31, 2026, while others remain valid for varying durations. The Ministry of Justice and the Police will monitor the situation closely to ensure all legal standards are met.

A key outcome of the session is the firm decision that the police will refuse to provide security for any matches held in stadiums that fail to meet essential safety requirements. This move is intended to prioritize public safety and compel facility owners to upgrade their infrastructure to meet legal security benchmarks.