ADD2759 Major Sports Events Barons Court Activations (HSBC Championships)

1.1.    To maintain its position as the sporting capital of the world, London must continue to secure and deliver a strong portfolio of major sports events (MSE) in the next 10 years. In this way, we can build on and maintain our success following the Olympic Games in 2012, in alignment with the MSE Strategic Framework 2023-30.

1.2.    As set out in the MSE Strategic Framework 2023-30, a key strategic priority for the Mayor is to develop stronger partnerships with events and stakeholders in London, further enhancing a strong portfolio. 

1.3.    London is set to be the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025, as the city plays host to the world’s biggest events. These include the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final at Twickenham; and the return of women’s tennis to the Queen’s Club for first time in more than 50 years. World-class women’s cricket, football, netball, hockey, basketball and athletics also feature on a packed sporting events calendar in London in 2026. 

1.4.    The new Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 event begins on 9 June, with former British No.1 and Olympic Silver medallist Laura Robson appointed as Tournament Director. The tournament will be held shortly ahead of the prestigious 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

1.5.    The MSE team has been working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to develop a mutually beneficial partnership related to the newly enhanced HSBC Championships. Below is an overview of the headline details:

1.6.    Financial support from the MSE budget (£26,500) will deliver the Barons Court activations via TfL and its contractors. The LTA will design all assets; provide all talent; and complete the required recordings. It is worth noting that given that this is in support of a partnership between the GLA and the LTA. TfL is not applying any rights fees for this activation. 

2.1.    The following objectives are to be met through supporting this activity:

 
•    strengthen London’s partnership with the LTA
•    demonstrate London’s commitment to women’s sport and new MSE
•    support the LTA in boosting fan experience for the Championships for Londoners and visitors.
 

3.1.    Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the Mayor of London must have ‘due regard’ of the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; and to advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations, between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not.

3.2.    The MSE team will ensure that as many Londoners as possible, including those with protected characteristics (as defined in the Equality Act 2010), are considered in the planning of the activation. 

3.3.    The GLA has engaged with TfL to establish that they are working with their equality, diversity and inclusion department in the development and execution of all their activations, ensuring there is no disadvantage to any customers. The proposed activities have been discussed with the relevant parties at Barons Court; they are comfortable this complies with the TfL’s Equity in Motion policy.
 

4.1.    The MSE team has engaged with TfL to ensure that due diligence is paid to procurement processes, and payment is made to TfL via the correct channels.

4.2.    A formal memorandum of understanding will be drawn up by the LTA to lay out the terms of the partnership. 

4.3.    There are no known conflicts of interests or interests to declare associated with this decision, including from officers drafting or clearing this decision.

4.4.    Potential risks are detailed in the table below:

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities 

4.5.    GLA support for the event will: 

•    support delivery of the GLA’s MSE framework 
•    increase economic investment into London 
•    increase international exposure for London as the world’s leading city for sport 
•    increase exposure and credibility of women’s tennis 
•    boost the fan experience of the Queen’s Club Championships, a key major event in London.

4.6.    This decision links to the Mayor’s mandate of ‘boosting London’s growth sectors’: it aligns with the strategic objective to show London as an attractive and high-quality destination for visitors, through its programme of successful large-scale sporting events. The GLA’s partnership with the LTA, and this associated promotional activity with TfL, seeks to provide effective and impactful delivery of this event, as outlined as an objective in the new mandate.  
 

5.1.    Spend approval is sought for £26,500 to deliver the series of activations at Baron’s Court station in the lead-up to the Queen’s Championship in 2025-26. 

5.2.    The costs will be met within the existing Major event programme approved budget for 2025-26, currently assigned to the ‘celebrating London’ delivery plan under the published budget, and due to be moved to ‘boosting London’s growth sectors’.

5.3.    Since the event and programme will be provided in collaboration with the LTA, a memorandum of understanding will assign individual responsibilities in delivery. In addition, Trafalgar Square hire for an event at the end of May, estimated at £25,000, will be offered as value in kind, to further promote women’s tennis. Additional funding and programme delivery will be provided by the Civil Society and Sport team; therefore, this falls outside the remit of this ADD.
 

6.1.    The next steps are summarised below: