UEFA and the European Leagues Publish the Football Event Sustainability Manual
Should sustainability at a football match be limited to waste sorting or encouraging fans to use public transport? UEFA believes the answer is a clear no.
In collaboration with the European Leagues, UEFA has published the Football Event Sustainability Manual – the first comprehensive guide bringing together practical recommendations for organising more responsible football events. The document is designed to help clubs, leagues, and national associations implement environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, regardless of the size of the event.
One Practical Tool for the Entire Football Ecosystem
Until now, UEFA’s recommendations on sustainable event management were spread across multiple documents. The new manual consolidates this knowledge into a single resource and translates it into practical guidance that can be applied both at local league matches and major international tournaments.
Importantly, the manual does not prescribe a single approach. Instead, it follows a “pick-and-drop” model, allowing organisers to select the measures that best fit their resources, the scale of their event, and their available budget. This flexibility makes the manual equally valuable for professional leagues, smaller clubs, and national football associations.
ESG as the Foundation of Event Management
The manual has been developed in line with the UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 – Strength Through Unity and is based on the ESG framework, which is becoming an increasingly important standard across the sports sector.
The document demonstrates that responsible event management goes far beyond environmental considerations. The Environmental pillar focuses on sustainable mobility, efficient resource management, waste reduction, and emissions mitigation. The Social pillar addresses topics such as human rights, accessibility, equality, participant safety, and collaboration with local communities. Meanwhile, the Governance pillar highlights transparent management, responsible procurement, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring ESG performance.
Sustainability Begins Long Before Kick-off
One of the manual’s greatest strengths is its practical structure. UEFA guides organisers through the entire event lifecycle—from planning and delivery to post-event evaluation.
Each chapter includes an overview of the topic, key objectives, common challenges, basic and advanced recommendations, and ready-to-use checklists that support implementation. As a result, the publication serves not only as a reference guide but also as a practical management tool for organising football events.
Best Practices from European Leagues and Clubs
The manual features numerous real-life examples demonstrating how sustainability principles can be implemented in practice.
In the field of mobility, the Swiss Football League promotes shared travel among supporters, the French Ligue de Football Professionnel monitors spectator travel patterns and supports sustainable transport solutions, while Dutch club NEC Nijmegen encourages fans to cycle to matches.
Among the infrastructure examples is Ajax Amsterdam, which uses recycled materials, solar energy, and water-saving solutions while actively reducing the carbon footprint of its operations.
The manual also showcases initiatives promoting accessibility and inclusion. Waterford FC, for example, has introduced a programme supporting spectators on the autism spectrum, including specially trained volunteers and dedicated quiet zones within the stadium.
Data Instead of Declarations
A key element of the manual is its emphasis on measuring impact.
UEFA encourages organisers to define performance indicators during the planning stage, collect data on energy use, transport, waste, and diversity, and use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of their sustainability measures. The document stresses that without reliable data, it is difficult to demonstrate meaningful progress or compare performance across different events.
Responsibility Is Becoming the New Standard
The Football Event Sustainability Manual clearly demonstrates that responsible event management is no longer reserved for major international tournaments. UEFA proposes a framework that can be adopted by organisers at every level of football—from local league matches to European finals.
At the same time, the manual emphasises that sustainability should not be viewed as a standalone project or an additional obligation. Instead, it is a comprehensive approach to event management that integrates environmental, social, and organisational considerations into a single, coherent system. As the authors point out, every football event—regardless of its size—contributes to the long-term legacy of the game and has the potential to help build a more responsible future for football.
