What are the World's Most Sustainable Sports Stadiums?
The World Economic Forum’s Sports for People and Planet initiative uses the connection between environmental health and physical wellbeing to boost sustainability.
It recognises how sports teams and stadiums have made eco-friendly innovations to tackle their environmental impact.
The WEF’s list of the most sustainable stadiums in the world celebrates net zero and recycling initiatives, renewable energy use and teams influencing fan behaviour.
Stadiums on the list include:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, US
- Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul, Turkey
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, UK
- Allianz Riviera in Nice, France
- Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand
- National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India
The most sustainable stadium in the world
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia is home to NFL team Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer team Atlanta United.
It is the first stadium worldwide to be awarded with the Total Resource and Efficiency (TRUE) Platinum certification.
The TRUE certification is awarded by the Green Business Certification Inc. and recognises waste management and reduction efforts.
Dietmar Exler, Chief Operating Officer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, says: “We are excited to announce that we have earned TRUE precertification, which is a major milestone on our journey to becoming a fully certified zero waste facility.
“Since construction, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been committed to creating a sustainable environment both in and around the stadium to reduce our overall environmental footprint, this is just the next step in our overall journey.”
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has achieved zero waste by diverting more than 90% of the waste generated at the stadium away from landfill through its recycling and composting programme.
Its partnership with charity Second Helpings Atlanta donates unused food to provide meals to the community and reduce food waste, and has provided more than 208,000 meals for Atlanta residents in need so far.
There are solar panels installed across the stadium site which produce 1.6 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy per year – enough to power nine Atlanta Falcons games, 13 Atlanta United matches or 160 households in Atlanta.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has also introduced an urban garden in the stadium site which produces an edible landscape using soil regeneration with the aim of creating a circular food system.
How Tottenham Hotspur tackles plastic waste
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is committed to minimising the environmental impacts of its operations, particularly in its stadium in London which was opened in 2019.
The stadium employs a waste management system that ensures zero waste goes to landfill.
Visitors are encouraged to place their waste into general waste or dry mixed recycling bins.
The dry mixed recycling is taken to a local material recovery facility where it is separated and formed into bales for re-processing.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is also dedicated to reducing its single use plastic footprint.
It has created a reusable cup scheme where used cups are collected and taken off site to be washed and returned. This scheme saves more than 1.25 million cups per year.
The stadium has also replaced single-use plastic condiment sachets with pumps and all plastic straws and cutlery with paper and wooden alternatives.
Helping the environment: Eden Park, Auckland
Eden Park is New Zealand’s largest stadium and is home to Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby.
It is committed to reducing its water usage and abiding by Auckland’s water restrictions.
It collects and treats rainwater and uses it to water the field, which saves up to 16 million litres of water per year.
It has also introduced compostable packaging for its food products, including cutlery and napkins.
The stadium features on-site beehives which are home to approximately 360,000 bees.
Honey is harvested from the beehives each season and sold within the stadium.
Eden Park was awarded the Sustainability and Community award at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2025.
Nick Sautner, CEO of Eden Park, says: “We’re incredibly proud to see Eden Park recognised on the global stage. This major international award reinforces our position as a world-class venue delivering excellence across event experiences, sustainability and operational performance.
“It’s a testament to the hard work of our entire team, partners and our wider community who continue to support our vision for a venue that leads with purpose and impact.”