ADD2838 Major Sport 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. 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 – and so further enhance a strong portfolio.

1.3.    London continues to be the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2026, as the city plays host to the world’s biggest events. These include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships. 

1.4.    Financial support of £26,500, from the MSE budget, will deliver the Barons Court activations in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and its contractors. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) will design all assets; provide all talent; and complete the required recordings. It is worth noting that, given this is in support of a partnership between the GLA and the LTA, TfL has given us preferential rates. 

1.5.    In 2025-26, Assistant Director Decision 2759 approved the same amount (£26,500) for the same Barons Court activation.
 

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

•    strengthen London’s partnership with the LTA
•    demonstrate London’s commitment to women’s sport 
•    support the LTA in boosting the fan experience for Londoners and visitors, to ensure the WTA 500 event returns to London in future years.
 

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 when planning the activation.  

3.3.    The GLA has engaged with TfL to establish that it is working with its equality, diversity and inclusion department, in developing and executing its activations, to ensure 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. 
 

Risks

4.1.    The main risks, and mitigating actions, are outlined in the table below:

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities 

4.2.    The scope and objectives of this project align with section 3.5 of the Boosting London’s Growth Sectors delivery plan. They do so through the aim to ensure London is an attractive and high-quality destination for visitors.

Conflicts of interest

4.3.    There are no conflicts of interest to declare for those involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision form.

5.1.    Approval is sought to spend £26,500, in 2026-27, to enhance fan experience through a series of activations at Barons Court underground station. The spend is related to TfL costs for the fan activation at the station.

5.2.    This will be funded from the MSE programme budget for 2026-27.

5.3.    Any contracts that cover future years will require break clauses. Any significant changes in the anticipated spend profile, across the years, must be reflected during the budget-setting process.
 

6.1.    The work will be delivered according to the following timetable: