Sustainability in Sports Events Is No Longer Optional

From stadiums filled with tens of thousands of fans to global broadcasts that reach billions, sports events carry an undeniable cultural weight. But behind the spectacle lies a pressing truth: sports events have a significant carbon footprint. In an era of climate urgency, this reality is no longer being ignored. As wildfires intensify, sea levels rise, and extreme weather disrupts daily life, every sector must respond and the world of sports is no exception.

Fans, sponsors, and governing associations are now holding organizations accountable for their role in addressing the climate crisis. For event organizers, integrating sustainability in sports events is no longer a competitive edge, it’s just a baseline expectation.

As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, warned, “Climate change is the defining issue of our time - and we are at a defining moment. We face a direct existential threat.”

This defining moment is driving a systemic shift across the sports industry, compelling event organizers, leagues, and clubs to look beyond short-term profits and begin planning events with sustainability in mind.

The United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework Explained

In 2018, the United Nations launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework, an initiative aimed at unifying the global sports sector around a shared set of environmental commitments. Signatories are now requested to commit to halving emissions by 2030 and aiming to achieve net-zero by 2040. The framework outlines two main goals:

1. “Achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change, through commitments and partnerships according to verified standards, including measuring, reducing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the well below 2 degree scenario enshrined in the Paris Agreement;
2. Using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.”

This initiative has attracted a wide array of signatories, including FIFA, UEFA, the Olympic Games / International Olympic Committee (IOC), Formula 1, NBA and several teams such as Liverpool FC, Atlético Madrid, New York Yankees, and the Golden State Warriors. More than a declaration, the framework offers concrete expectations. Organizations are required to measure their emissions, report transparently, and show year-over-year improvements in their sustainability metrics.

The framework also reinforces the role of sport as a communicator. Stadiums may not resemble classrooms, but they are gathering points for many millions of people. Using this influence to promote sustainability in sports events and sustainable behavior among fans and partners is one of the most impactful opportunities sports organizations have.

Environmental, Economic, and Social Dimensions of Sustainability

True sustainability in sports events operates across three interdependent pillars: environmental, economic, and social. These dimensions, often called the triple bottom line, represent the full spectrum of impact and opportunity.

Environmental Impact

Sports events contribute significantly to gas emissions. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, estimates that transportation alone, moving fans, teams, and equipment, will account for up to 85% of the event’s emissions. The materials used to construct venues and the energy required to power them only add to the total. Waste generation is another issue, with many stadiums producing several tons of waste per game.

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Economical Impact

Sustainability in can no longer be seen as a cost. In fact, reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing material waste, and leveraging digital tools like Virtual Venue can significantly lower operational costs. There’s also growing evidence that brands and investors are prioritizing ESG-compliant organizations when allocating sponsorship and funding.

Social Impact

A sustainable event must be inclusive, equitable, and transparent. This includes hiring local staff, ensuring accessibility for all guests, offering fair working conditions, and creating programs that engage underrepresented communities. It also means involving all stakeholders in decision-making and maintaining governance systems that are ethical and accountable.

Sports Organizations Embracing Sustainability

Across the globe, leading sports organizations are already embracing comprehensive sustainability strategies.

UEFA, the administrative body for European football, has begun weaving sustainability into its competition planning. For EURO 2024, it introduced robust KPIs for energy efficiency, waste management, and transportation. UEFA is also setting a precedent by embedding ESG metrics into its club licensing process, effectively making sustainability a precondition for participation in elite competitions.

The European Club Association (ECA) is equally proactive. Representing over 200 football clubs, the ECA is supporting its members through the challenges of regulatory compliance under the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Starting with the 2025/26 season, football clubs that meet certain financial and staffing thresholds will be required to disclose environmental and social impact data. To ease this transition, the ECA has launched its own Sustainability Strategy, offering member clubs education, digital tools, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FIFA announced their Climate Strategy in 2021 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). They outlined their ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2040. This strategy is comprised of four pillars:

• Raise awareness among football professionals about climate risks and sustainable practices;
• Revise football policies and operations to withstand both current and future climate challenges;
• Lower FIFA’s and global football’s carbon footprint in alignment with the Paris Agreement and United Nations Sports for Climate Action goals;
• Invest in climate resilience while equipping football stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to address climate-related challenges.

Outside of football, American sports leagues are also innovating. The NBA, through its NBA Green initiative, has taken steps to make arenas more energy-efficient, encourage sustainable transportation, and promote recycling and education programs among fans. Same as FIFA, they’re committed to 50% reduction until 2030, and achieving net-zero by 20240. The league’s partnerships with sponsors and arenas reinforce a broader commitment to reducing its climate impact while engaging local communities in the process.

And then there are the Olympic Games, arguably one of the most watched events on Earth. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set ambitious sustainability in sports events targets for all host cities, requiring compliance with ISO 20121, the international standard for sustainable event management. Paris 2024 has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by over 50% compared to previous editions, such as London 2012 and Rio 2016. This goal is being pursued through several initiatives:

• Utilization of Existing Venues: Approximately 95% of the venues are either existing structures or temporary installations, minimizing the need for new construction. 
• Low-Carbon Construction: New constructions, like the Olympic Village, employ low-carbon materials and innovative designs to reduce emissions. 
• Renewable Energy Usage: All Olympic sites are powered by 100% renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power.

Achieving Sustainability in Sports Events

While the strategy must be holistic, the implementation of sustainability in sports events ultimately comes down to specific, actionable decisions. These decisions must touch every stage of the event lifecycle from initial planning to post-event reporting.

Rethinking Venue Design

One of the most direct ways to reduce an event’s environmental impact is through sustainable venue design. Today’s leading stadiums are being built or retrofitted using low-carbon construction materials, passive ventilation systems, and integrated renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines. Reusing existing venues instead of building new ones can also significantly lower carbon emissions and reduce waste.

Features like green roofs, greywater recycling, and rainwater harvesting further reduce resource consumption. The Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, home to AFC Ajax, features over 4200 solar panels, a wind turbine, and an energy storage system powered by used EV car batteries, making it a European benchmark for sustainable stadium design.

Decarbonizing Transportation

Transportation is consistently one of the largest contributors to an event’s overall carbon footprint. For example, the 2026 FIFA World Cup estimates that 85% of its total emissions will come from travel-related activities. To address this, organizers are beginning to integrate sustainable transport strategies into event design from the start. These include offering ticket holders free or subsidized public transport, deploying electric shuttle fleets, creating bike-friendly infrastructure with secure parking, and establishing car-free zones around venues.

A standout recent example is the 2024 Paris Olympics, which invested over €500 million in public transport enhancements, including the extension of metro lines and the addition of 60 km of new cycle lanes. These changes not only reduce emissions but also improve traffic flow, enhance security, and elevate the overall fan experience.

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Revolutionizing Waste and Material Use

Minimizing waste is another high-impact area for sustainable event execution. Organizers are replacing single-use plastics in favor of compostable or reusable alternatives. Beverage systems now include refillable cup programs, and digital ticketing has eliminated millions of paper printouts across major leagues.

Some events have taken this further like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where victory medals were crafted from recycled electronics. Implementing clear waste segregation, composting infrastructure, and vendor requirements for sustainable packaging are becoming best practices for responsible waste management at scale.

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Investing in Local Communities

Sustainability in sports events must also extend beyond emissions and waste to encompass social equity and economic inclusion. Supporting local businesses, contractors, and food vendors helps ensure that a share of event profits stays within the host community. Hiring from local talent pools, including minority-owned enterprises, strengthens community ties and fosters more resilient economies. Programs that offer training, temporary employment, or upskilling opportunities during major events also leave lasting legacies that go well beyond the closing ceremony.

A compelling example is the 2024 Paris Olympics. Over 150,000 job opportunities were created, many aimed at youth and long-term unemployed. Public contracts prioritized small and mission-driven businesses, demonstrating how global events can drive local regeneration.

Enabling Change Through Digital Transformation

Finally, the digital transformation of event operations has opened new doors for sustainable planning and execution. Tools like Virtual Venue allow project teams to conduct site inspections, create overlay designs, and manage assets without needing to travel physically. Centralized platforms enable real-time collaboration across continents, reducing not just carbon emissions but also decision-making delays and duplication of effort. With cloud-based storage and automated reporting systems, sustainability data can now be captured and analyzed at every stage offering transparency for stakeholders and insights for continuous improvement.

Practical Sustainability with Virtual Venue

Virtual Venue stands at the intersection of innovation and sustainability in sports events. It’s a collaborative digital twin platform used by major sports organizations to plan and execute complex events with precision and minimal carbon footprint.

One of the most direct environmental benefits of Virtual Venue is its ability to significantly reduce the need for travel. In Portal, users can explore immersive 360-panorama photos of stadiums, set up event overlays, and coordinate logistics entirely remotely. A typical event might involve dozens of site visits by hundreds of staff members. With Virtual Venue, much of this can be done digitally, cutting emissions and costs.

The Mobility Planner module adds another layer by helping teams plan transport flows between venues, hotels, and airports. Organizers can simulate various modes of transport walking, public transit, or electric vehicles and assess their environmental impact. This level of insight supports smarter, greener choices in real time.

Moreover, tools like Asset Management and Site Visit Reporting support efficient resource planning and issue tracking. Instead of printing large operational manuals, documents can be stored and shared digitally. Action points can be assigned and monitored within the platform, keeping everyone aligned and accountable.

Last but not least, Virtual Venue empowers non-expert users to perform tasks that previously required GIS or CAD expertise. This democratization of event planning allows more stakeholders to contribute effectively, reduces bottlenecks, and accelerates project timelines.

By embedding sustainability features directly into operational workflows, Virtual Venue doesn’t just enable greener events, it integrates sustainability into the DNA of how those events are conceived, designed, and delivered.

Where Sustainability in Sports Events Must Go Next

The pressure on sports events to adopt sustainable practices is growing. Fans are demanding it, sponsors are requiring it, and regulators are legislating it. But within that pressure lies the opportunity to reinvent sports events as models of sustainability.

As platforms like Virtual Venue show, sustainability in sports events is very much achievable. By making these changes today, the sports industry can protect its future, inspire its global audience, and leave a legacy that goes far beyond the matches on the pitch.