Most of this year’s FIFA World Cup stadiums have achieved green building certification following a certification push in the run-up to the tournament.
The tournament opened with 13 of the 16 stadiums achieving LEED certification, the world’s most widely used green building rating system, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Ten buildings have been certified since 2024 after undergoing a rigorous process to ensure the buildings meet strict sustainability standards. The council expects at least two of the remaining three stadiums to receive accreditation in the coming weeks.
The LEED-certified stadium has more than 11,500 solar panels installed to generate clean electricity. According to information shared by the stadium, the changes will save more than 100 million gallons of drinking water per year and eliminate more than 5 million pieces of single-use plastic per year. The four venues reuse, recycle or compost almost all of their waste, keeping it out of landfills.
“Cost savings will be achieved and indoor air quality will improve,” said Rhiannon Jacobsen, managing director of the U.S. Green Building Council. “This will support the fan experience and improve team performance.”
FIFA has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The tournament will use existing stadiums, avoiding the carbon pollution associated with building venues for large-scale sporting events. And achieving sustainability designation means these stadiums have demonstrated efficient use of energy and water, improved air quality, and reduced waste.
Still, scientists have warned that this will be the most polluting World Cup ever, due to the need for air travel for fans and teams, which mostly pass through North America, and because the tournament’s participation has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams. Air travel contributes significantly to climate change because the combustion of jet fuel releases carbon dioxide.
The tournament is expected to generate more than nine million tonnes of carbon pollution, the same amount as the average UK car driven around 6.5 million in a year. According to the report by Scientists for Global Responsibility, the New Weather Institute, and other environmental sustainability groups.
How LEED works
The U.S. Green Building Council introduced the first version of its flagship LEED rating system in 1998 and tested it on 19 projects. Since then, it has become the global standard for the design, construction and operation of healthy, efficient and cost-saving green buildings.
The council creates and updates standards, and its sister organization, Green Business Certification Inc., certifies projects. Projects earn points in categories such as energy and air quality, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. Points correspond to certification levels (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum).
According to the council, LEED-certified buildings typically use about 25% less energy, produce about 34% less carbon dioxide emissions and use 10% less water than conventional buildings.
According to the council, there are 51 LEED-certified professional sports venues in North America, with the majority located in the United States. Additionally, there are a total of approximately 150 accredited sports venues in North America, including university stadiums and arenas.
Recent USGBC Announcing a map highlighting certified stadiums. In addition to the previous World Cup venues, soccer fields and baseball stadiums are also displayed, and the map will be expanded in the future.
Impact of green building strategies
Garrett Whitmire, director of stadium services for the Kansas City Chiefs, said FIFA encourages venues to obtain LEED certification, and the schedule is certainly challenging. But he said that is achievable because Arrowhead Stadium’s GEHA Field has already made changes in recent years to be more sustainable.
These include daily sorting to divert more than 90% of waste from local landfills by 2025, adding biodigesters for food waste, installing LED sports lighting, restricting water flow in sinks and automating urinal flushing. The company’s reusable cup program has prevented approximately 100,000 plastic cups from becoming trash.
“We are continually looking for ways to reduce the negative impacts of large events on communities and the environment,” Wittmyer wrote in an email.
The oldest of the venues, Estadio Azteca 60 years old Mexico City reached the highest stage of LEED certification in October. Mr Jacobsen said this demonstrated how old venues could meet modern sustainability standards.
With 87,500 seats, Latin America’s largest soccer stadium used efficient equipment to reduce indoor water usage by 36%, and efficient heating and cooling equipment and new lighting reduced energy usage by approximately 45%. Authorities have developed programs to reduce waste and policies to purchase sustainable products, including toilet paper.
Felix Aguirre, the stadium’s deputy general manager, said this was an opportunity to increase sustainability and position the venue as a benchmark for responsible sports infrastructure. Aguirre said achieving this in about a year was an extraordinary accomplishment, considering the facility’s age and original conditions (some spaces did not previously have adequate ventilation systems in place).
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California; Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and mercedes benz stadium in atlanta Previously participated in LEED Host city will be announced in 2022. The remaining companies received certification after early 2024.
Other LEED certified stadiums include: BMO Field in Toronto. Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. BC Place in Vancouver. and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The stadium that hosts the most matches will be certified.
AT&T Stadium is Held 9 games, the most out of 16 venues. It received gold certification in March.
Scott Woodrow, deputy general manager for facilities, said the company has previously invested in energy efficiency projects, which will help if it pursues LEED. The World Cup gave them a reason to achieve it, he added.
They spent more than $7 million adding high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, water fixtures, and sustainable lighting. Woodrow said consultants estimated a 16 percent reduction in overall energy use.
MetLife Stadium will host eight games. Including the finals, the event received gold certification in May.
The focus is on solar energy, efficient lighting, the use of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the diversion of waste from landfills. President and CEO Ron Vandeveen said in a statement that this certification demonstrates how a premium guest experience and rigorous green building practices can work together.
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AP Sports Writer Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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