What is a concessionary period (free or discounted trial)?

TL;DR

A concessionary period is a free or discounted introductory period (such as a free trial or a cheaper first season) after which the subscription auto-renews at a higher price. It triggers a reminder notice and a renewal cooling-off period.

What does “Concessionary period” mean?

The rules treat free trials and introductory discounts as part of the subscription contract. Before the higher price kicks in, the trader must send a reminder notice. When the first higher payment is taken, a 14-day renewal cooling-off period starts. If a discount spans several payments at the same rate, the reminder is needed before the first payment at the higher rate.

How does it relate to football membership?

Clubs often use introductory offers: a discounted first season, a free month of the club streaming service, or a junior membership free for the first year. If these roll automatically onto the full price, they are concessionary periods. The key pre-contract information must say when the first full charge will be and how much it is.

How Limio helps

Limio supports trials, introductory pricing and promo codes on membership plans, and tracks exactly when each concessionary period ends, so clubs know when reminders and cooling-off notices are due.

This is a plain-English summary of the subscription rules in Part 4, Chapter 2 of the DMCCA and the draft Consumer Subscription Contracts (Cancellation and Information) Regulations 2026, based on the draft government guidance published in October 2026. The regulations are still subject to parliamentary approval. It is not legal advice.

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