New stadium security and CCTV requirements in Cyprus

The Cypriot Ministry of Justice and the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA) have established a new regulatory framework to improve security at football stadiums. The Minister of Justice explicitly stated that the state will refuse to provide police presence at any stadium that fails to obtain proper certification from the Stadium Licensing Authority, emphasizing that lack of licensing indicates critical safety failures. This stance aims to ensure the physical safety of both police officers and spectators.

To address existing infrastructure gaps, the KOA and club representatives reached an agreement on a roadmap for installing modern CCTV surveillance systems in all first-division stadiums. The agreement mandates that all necessary technical upgrades must be completed by March 30, 2027. A critical intermediate deadline is set for October 15, 2026, by which time each stadium must clearly define its remaining technical requirements. KOA officials noted that while some venues like Anorthosis and Nea Salamina require only minor adjustments, others like Tsirion require more substantial work. Failure to adhere to these timelines could lead to the loss of operating licenses for the upcoming season.