The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wembley Stadium, London) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State under the powers of the Air Navigation Order 2016, temporarily restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a 1.5 nautical mile radius of Wembley Stadium, London, specifically between 0800 and 2100 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) on May 16th, 2026, due to the large public gathering expected for the FA Cup Final; exceptions are granted only with written permission from the Metropolitan Police Service FA Cup Final Silver Commander to ensure public safety and security.
Arguments For
Public safety and security are enhanced by preventing unauthorized drone activity over large public gatherings, mitigating risks of accidental impact, malicious use, or disruption to police operations.
Regulatory necessity is established because the gathering of a large number of persons at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final constitutes a sufficient public interest reason, as determined by the Secretary of State and requested by law enforcement (Metropolitan Police Service).
Clear, defined geographical and temporal limits (0800 to 2100 UTC on May 16th, 2026, within 1.5 nautical miles of Wembley) ensure that the restriction is targeted precisely to the event, minimizing unnecessary burden on general aviation.
Arguments Against
Potential disruption to legitimate drone operations, research, or commercial activities near the specified radius, unless explicitly permitted by the Police Silver Commander.
The reliance on UTC time requires ground operators to perform an immediate conversion to local time (BST), potentially causing confusion or minor delays in adherence to the precise start and end times of the restriction.
The regulation enforces a blanket ban below 1,300 feet, which might be viewed as overly restrictive if lower altitudes are deemed safe outside the immediate stadium area.
2026 No. 511
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wembley Stadium, London) Regulations 2026
Made
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13th May 2026
Coming into force
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16th May 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
These are the official statutory instruments, identified as 2026 No. 511, concerning Civil Aviation.
The instruments are named The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wembley Stadium, London) Regulations 2026 and were officially made on May 13th, 2026, coming into force on May 16th, 2026.
Legislation arises because the Secretary of State determined that restricting unmanned aircraft (drone) flights near Wembley was necessary for the public interest due to a large planned public gathering.
Authority for these restrictions comes from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wembley Stadium, London) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 16th May 2026.
This regulation establishes the official short title for these rules, which is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wembley Stadium, London) Regulations 2026.
It confirms that the restrictions officially begin at 00:00 hours on May 16th, 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines that all time references used within Regulation 3(1), which specifies the duration of the restriction, must be read using Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0800 hours and ending with 2100 hours on 16th May 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.5 nautical miles centred at 513322N 0001647W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Metropolitan Police Service FA Cup Final Silver Commander.
Paragraph (1) outlines the core restrictions: between 08:00 and 21:00 UTC on May 16th, 2026, no unmanned aircraft may fly lower than 1,300 feet above the ground within a specific circular area.
This restricted airspace is defined by a 1.5 nautical mile radius centered on the coordinates 51°33'22" North latitude and 0°16'47" West longitude, which points to Wembley Stadium.
Paragraph (2) provides an exemption, stating that the ban does not apply if the unmanned aircraft is operating under the direct permission granted by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Silver Commander specifically appointed for the FA Cup Final event.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
13th May 2026
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
The document is formally signed by Karen L Michaels, a Grade 7 representative of the Department for Transport, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State on May 13th, 2026.
Sub-note (a) cites the main legislation giving effect to these rules (S.I. 2016/765).
Sub-note (b) clarifies that UTC is one hour earlier than the local British Summer Time (BST).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Wembley Stadium, London for the FA Cup Final that is due to take place there on 16th May 2026. At the request of the Metropolitan Police Service, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted for reasons of public safety and security due to the intended gathering there of a large number of persons.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(2), the Metropolitan Police Service FA Cup Final Silver Commander may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, contactable on telephone number 03301 382515.
This non-statutory explanatory note confirms that the rules restrict unmanned aircraft near Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final on May 16th, 2026, due to public safety concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police Service and agreed upon by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport.
It reiterates that Regulation 3(1) times use UTC, which is one hour behind BST, and directs interested parties to contact the specified Metropolitan Police Silver Commander for permissions related to Regulation 3(2).
Further official notification of this Statutory Instrument will be distributed via a Briefing Sheet and a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
The contact at the Civil Aviation Authority for enquiries is specified as Mr Thomas Shainberg.
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