Roadmap established for stadium licensing in Cyprus

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order chaired the third meeting regarding the licensing of football stadiums. Attendees included representatives from the Police, the Stadium Licensing Authority, the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA), and the Cyprus Football Association (KOP). The primary outcome of the meeting was the creation of a formal roadmap to address pending safety and compliance issues at various venues.

The Stadium Licensing Authority, in coordination with the KOP and KOA, has been tasked with implementing this roadmap to ensure all identified problems are resolved as quickly as possible. This action is critical because the current licenses for several stadiums are set to expire on August 31, while others remain valid for longer periods. The Ministry of Justice and the Police have confirmed they will closely monitor the progress of these improvements.

Furthermore, the government has adopted a strict policy regarding event security. The Ministry stated that the Police will refuse to provide security services for any football matches held at stadiums that fail to meet basic safety requirements. This decision highlights the increasing pressure on venue operators to adhere to national standards before the new season proceeds.