Community Right to Buy: What It Means for Sports Clubs in England

After more than a decade of campaigning, the Community Right to Buy is now law - enshrined in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. For community sports clubs across England, this is a significant moment. But what does it actually mean in practice, and how can clubs make the most of it?

What Is the Community Right to Buy?

The Community Right to Buy replaces the old Community Right to Bid, which was introduced under the Localism Act 2011. Under the old system, research suggested that only around 2% of Assets of Community Value (ACVs) actually ended up in community ownership - a disappointing return for a policy that promised so much.

The new right is stronger. It gives eligible community groups the right of first refusal when a registered community asset comes up for sale. Crucially, it includes:

🏟️ First right of refusal: if an asset is listed for sale, the community group gets the first opportunity to purchase it before anyone else can bid.

⏳ A twelve-month moratorium: up from six months under the old system — giving communities a protected period to raise the finance they need.

📋 A wider definition of community assets: including sporting assets, long-term vacant buildings, and assets that have had an economic as well as social impact on the community. This brings many more spaces and facilities into scope.

🏛️ A right to appeal: if a community group's ACV nomination is rejected, they can now challenge that decision.

Why This Matters for Sports Clubs

For sports clubs, the Community Right to Buy could be one of the most significant pieces of legislation in years. When those assets are at risk of being sold, redeveloped, or left to deteriorate, the whole club is at risk. Under the old Right to Bid, many clubs simply couldn't move quickly enough or raise funds in time.

The extension of the moratorium to twelve months is meaningful. It gives clubs a realistic window to explore funding options, build partnerships, engage members, and put together a credible offer. The inclusion of sporting assets within the wider ACV definition is also a genuine step forward - it means more club facilities can be registered and protected in the first place.

For clubs that have been watching a neighbouring facility fall into disuse, or have been operating on a lease that could be pulled at any time, this legislation offers a new tool to pursue long-term ownership and security.

The Challenge: Rights Without Resources

Here's the honest part. Having the right to buy is not the same as being able to buy. Many community sports clubs - particularly those serving disadvantaged communities - lack the financial reserves, governance structures, or professional support needed to move quickly when an opportunity arises.

Locality, the national charity that led much of the campaign for this legislation, has been clear: rights without resources will only benefit those who already have access to finance. They are calling for a coordinated fund of at least £1 billion and a National Community Ownership Strategy to make this right meaningful for all communities - not just the best-resourced ones.

That call deserves broad support from the sport and recreation sector.

How We Can Help

At Club Development Solutions, we work with community sports clubs across Scotland and the wider UK to help them build the foundations for long-term sustainability, including the governance and organisational capacity that underpins any serious asset transfer process.

If your club is thinking about protecting its facilities, pursuing community ownership, or simply understanding what options are available, we can help you:

🔍 Assess whether your facilities could qualify as an Asset of Community Value

📑 Review your governance and incorporation structure to ensure you're eligible to pursue community ownership

💰 Identify and apply for funding to support asset acquisition and development

🤝 Build the business case and organisational capacity to make a credible bid

The Community Right to Buy is a real opportunity. But seizing it takes preparation and the clubs that are best placed to act quickly will be the ones that have done the groundwork in advance.

Get in Touch

If you'd like to explore what the Community Right to Buy could mean for your club, get in touch with the CDS team today. We're here to help you turn rights into reality.

📧 andrew@clubdevelopmentsolutions.com 🌐