How Soccer’s Carbon Footprint Adds Up: A Closer Look at the Global Game Called Football

Soccer, also known as football, is the world’s most popular sport, with billions of fans and a vast global reach. While football is the commonly used term in most countries, soccer is widely recognized in regions like North America. Regardless of the name, the sport’s environmental impact remains a major concern, and its carbon footprint is growing.

Recent studies, particularly the New Weather Institute report “Dirty Tackle: The growing carbon footprint of football“, estimate that soccer’s total carbon footprint is around 64-66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO2e) annually. This is comparable to the annual emissions of Austria and 60% more than those of Uruguay.

Knowing the main causes of soccer’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is key to reducing its impact. So, what are the main culprits of the game’s growing carbon emissions?

The Major Contributors to Soccer’s Carbon Emissions

Here are the top three major sources of the sports’ rising GHG emissions:

Sponsored Emissions: A Significant Source of Impact

One of the largest sources of football’s emissions is its sponsorship deals with high-carbon industries. The New Weather Institute report shows that 75% of soccer’s carbon footprint comes from sponsorships. This includes high-emitting companies like fossil fuel corporations and airlines. These deals are associated with industries that have high emissions, including frequent air travel and fossil fuel-based transport.

For example, FIFA signed a deal in 2024 with Saudi oil giant Aramco, the world’s largest fossil fuel company. UEFA also has ongoing sponsorships with Qatar Airways and Emirates, both major airline polluters.

• The 2022 FIFA World Cup had four big sponsorship deals, with associated emissions estimated at over 16 million tCO₂e. Also, the top four European clubs with airline sponsorships added 8 million tCO2e.

RELATED: UEFA’s Green Goals: $7.6M Climate Fund for EURO 2024 Carbon Footprint

Travel Emissions: The Heavy Cost of Mobility

Soccer matches require significant travel, both for teams and spectators. The reports highlight that spectator travel is the biggest contributor to non-sponsorship emissions. Air and car travel make up the bulk of these emissions, particularly for international competitions.

• One Men’s FIFA World Cup match emits 44,000-72,000 tCO2e, equivalent to 31,500 to 51,500 average UK cars driven for a year.
• A single English Premier League (EPL) match emits around 1,700 tCO2e, with spectator travel accounting for half of this.
• Matches in international club competitions increase emissions by 50% due to air travel.
• The FIFA World Cup, including qualification matches, emitted 6.5 million tCO2e over four years.

Expanding tournaments and increasing international matches contribute to higher emissions. The 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will need a lot of air travel. This will greatly raise emissions from travelling.

Efforts to promote greener travel among spectators remain insufficient. While some clubs encourage fans to use public transport, overall adoption is low.

Experts suggest that more teams could adopt low-carbon initiatives, such as electric mobility, to reduce emissions. They could offer discounted match tickets for fans who use low-carbon transport.

Stadium Construction: Where Emissions Come From

Stadiums cause a lot of carbon emissions. This happens both during their construction and while they are maintained. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar saw the construction of new stadiums emitting 270,000 tCO2e per stadium. Major clubs continue to renovate or build new stadiums, adding to their carbon footprint.

• New stadiums for top-tier clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford resulted in significant emissions.
• Clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have large stadium expansion projects underway, which will further increase emissions.

Moreover, stadium energy use contributes to ongoing emissions. Many stadiums still use non-renewable energy. They have high electricity use on match days. While some clubs have implemented solar panels and LED lighting, these efforts must be expanded across all leagues.

Green Goals: Are Soccer’s Climate Commitments Enough?

Despite these staggering numbers, soccer’s governing bodies have pledged to curb its carbon footprint. FIFA and UEFA have committed to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040. However, some of their actions raise questions about alignment with these commitments.

• FIFA’s partnership with Aramco has raised discussions about its climate commitments.
• UEFA’s expansion of the Champions League and FIFA’s decision to increase the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 are expected to result in higher emissions.
• Many top clubs continue to sign sponsorship deals with airlines and fossil fuel companies, industries associated with high carbon emissions.

Also, increasing the number of matches in player schedules may also have environmental impacts. Players travel more often, which raises emissions from team transport. 

Notably, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, further stirs environmental concerns. The tournament will expand to 48 teams. This means more travel and better infrastructure are needed. This leads to higher GHG emissions.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Emissions

In March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force to oversee preparations for the event. This task force aims to leverage the World Cup to promote American excellence and attract foreign investment.

However, Trump’s statement that political and economic tensions with co-host nations Canada and Mexico would ‘enhance the excitement’ of the tournament has been noted by analysts. They also highlight environmental considerations.

Estimates suggest that the event could generate over 3.7 million tonnes of CO₂. Most emissions come from air travel, stadium construction, and fans getting to games. These exceed the emissions from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, one of the most polluting ever, recording an estimated 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions—the highest yet. 

These changes bring attention to the environmental impact of the 2026 World Cup and the potential for mitigation efforts.

Some Ways to Cut Soccer’s Footprint

Soccer has the power to lead climate action given its global influence. Here’s how the sport can reduce its environmental impact:

1. End High-Carbon Sponsorships: Some have suggested that sports governing bodies could consider phasing out sponsorships with high-carbon industries, similar to past restrictions on tobacco advertising.
2. Reduce Air Travel: Football clubs and leagues should encourage train and bus travel for domestic matches. Ticketing policies can prioritize local fans to cut travel emissions.
3. Smaller, Regional Tournaments: Clubs should prioritize regional competitions. This change can help cut down on long-haul flights.
4. Sustainable Stadiums: Clubs should invest in low-carbon stadiums. They can use renewable energy sources like solar panels and LED lighting.
5. Encourage Low-Carbon Fan Behavior: Clubs can offer incentives for public transport use, cycling, and electric vehicle travel to matches.
6. Stronger Climate Rules: Football federations could set sustainability standards for competitions, with clubs potentially needing to meet carbon reduction goals to participate.
7. Player-Led Advocacy: Many professional soccer players are already speaking out about climate change. Their influence can drive awareness and push governing bodies toward stronger climate commitments.

Football’s Path to Action

Soccer’s carbon footprint is significant, but the sport also has the potential to influence climate action. With its unmatched global reach, football can be a powerful force for sustainability.

With collective action from governing bodies, clubs, players, and fans, soccer can reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining its global appeal.