London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made a public plea to boxing promoters to bring the long‑anticipated showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to Wembley Stadium, saying the capital is ready and willing to host the fight.
Mayor makes formal invite as US option remains
Speaking to BBC Sport, the mayor said:
"A message to the promoters - we want to host it in London. Talk to us, we're really keen to have it."His office has been contacted in recent weeks by Saudi organisers Sela, BBC Sport understands, but sources close to the discussions say a preference from Sela and broadcaster Netflix for Madison Square Garden in New York has meant detailed talks over London dates and timings have not progressed.
Wembley’s usual curfew is 23:00. Khan has previously indicated he would support efforts to accommodate a late‑night event in the capital — potentially an early‑hours finishing time to suit television audiences in the United States. But any extension would need local authority approval: Brent Council, which has responsibility for safety sign‑off at Wembley, has said any change to the curfew would be considered by the stadium’s safety advisory group.
Contractual position and timing
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has signalled urgency, saying he wants an announcement this week with a news conference to follow. Hearn has previously maintained that Joshua’s contract specified a United Kingdom venue and would need renegotiation should the fight be staged in the US.
BBC Sport reports there is hope the venue will be finalised in the coming days. Sela and Netflix are understood to favour staging the bout in the United States to cater for American broadcast audiences, whereas Hearn says his side signed a contract for a UK location.
Local logistics and crowd considerations
Holding the fight at Wembley would raise a number of logistical and regulatory questions for local authorities and transport operators. Wembley has hosted large boxing events in the past and is used regularly for international sport and music, but an exceptionally late finish time would be unusual and would require detailed planning around public transport, stewarding and safety.
Brent Council’s involvement will be crucial. The council has responsibility for issuing licences and convening the safety advisory group that assesses stadium events. Any decision to extend the stadium curfew will hinge on evidence presented by promoters on stewarding, transport plans and public safety measures.
- Promoters contacted: Sela reportedly contacted the mayor’s office.
- Broadcast interest: Netflix is involved and is said to prefer a US timeslot.
- Contract dispute: Eddie Hearn says Joshua’s contract specified a UK venue.
Stakes for London
The fight would be a high‑profile boost for the capital, with significant commercial impact on hospitality and transport. For fans in Britain, the chance to see two homegrown former world champions meet on British soil would be a rare event.
But the competing commercial logic of US prime time and the terms of existing contracts complicate the picture. If organisers and broadcasters judge that an American venue would maximise global viewership and revenue, that may outweigh the mayoral invite.
| Stakeholder | Reported position |
|---|---|
| Sadiq Khan / Mayor of London | Wants the fight at Wembley; publicly invited promoters to talk to London authorities |
| Sela (organisers) | Contacted mayor’s office; understood to favour US for October/November date |
| Netflix (broadcaster) | Reported preference for US timeslot to serve American viewers |
| Eddie Hearn / Matchroom | Says Joshua’s contract specified a UK venue; seeks announcement imminently |
What happens next
Sources say an announcement could come shortly. If London is to be the venue, promoters will need to open detailed discussions with Wembley management and Brent Council to secure any curfew changes and to lay out transport and safety arrangements. If the fight remains slated for the United States, Hearn’s claim that the UK contract would require renegotiation could become a live commercial dispute.
For the capital, the outcome will determine whether Wembley hosts one of the biggest domestic boxing fixtures in recent years or whether the spectacle travels overseas in search of a different broadcast window.
BBC Sport has contacted Sela for comment; Matchroom and Brent Council have previously been cited in reporting on the venue and curfew issues.
London stands ready if promoters decide the fight should be staged at home — but the decision will rest on commercial calculations and on whether local authorities can be satisfied about safety and transport arrangements for a potentially very late event.
