Sports have the power to inspire millions, but few realize the hidden environmental cost of game day. Globally, the sports industry accounts for roughly 0.6% of total emissions, or 300-350 million tons of CO₂ in a year—the equivalent to the emissions of Spain or Poland during the same period.
In Europe, sports buildings currently account for 10% of the annual energy consumption. However, sustainability is a growing priority for sports teams, leagues, and venues all over the world, and connected LED lighting has emerged as an effective and unintrusive way to unlock negawatts—the energy saved by boosting efficiency.
One simple upgrade could reduce energy consumption by 80%. These systems don’t just slash energy bills—they enhance the fan experience, make operations smarter, and help the sports organizations meet their ambitious climate goals.
Lighting plays a critical role in modern sports venues, ensuring the ultimate experience for athletes, fans, and broadcasters. A single event at a large 70,000-seat stadium can consume anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000 kWh of electricity, with up to 5,400 kWh used for lighting alone—largely due to inefficient fluorescent and incandescent lamps.
Think of connected LED lighting like the second-half substitute that comes on and completely transforms the game. By switching to centrally managed, IoT-enabled LED systems, venues can drastically cut electricity consumption for lighting, but they can also:
What’s more, LED lights can last up to 15 times longer than conventional ones, reducing waste and lowering maintenance costs over time.
Across the globe, all kinds of sports organizations are taking steps to operate more sustainably. In the US, for example, the NFL’s Denver Broncos have cut their annual energy consumption by 1.34 million kWh with a simple upgrade to LED lighting at Mile High Stadium.
In Europe too, where the main sport is soccer, stadiums are recycling waste and introducing new energy efficiency measures. FC Bayern Munich now plays the beautiful game in a stadium with impressive LED façade lighting, reducing yearly electricity use by 60% and avoiding 362 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Formula 1 is on track to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 by introducing sustainable fuels and logistics improvements. Even individual teams are making an impact—the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team reduced air travel emissions by 2,628 tons of CO₂ by investing in sustainable aviation fuel.
Energy efficiency is also important in reducing the operational costs of smaller venues and recreational sports facilities. Like large venues, small and medium-sized sports venues are currently facing challenges due to increased energy costs. Affordable and accessible recreational sports facilities are important for the communities they serve, particularly in lower-income regions. Their impact goes far beyond physical activity: they also function as convenient community-based platforms that promote equity, cohesion, and empowerment.
As global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions intensify, sports governing bodies and governments are stepping up to support greener venues, emerging as unexpected but powerful contributors to climate action.
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that sports, with their massive audiences and cultural influence, can serve as catalysts for climate awareness and sustainable innovation.
Sports offer a unique platform to lead in climate action and social equity. By investing in connected LED lighting, stadiums and arenas can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, lower operational costs, and set a powerful example for communities, cities, and other industries to follow. As half of the infrastructure that will stand in 2050 has yet to be built, including in sports, now is the time to embed energy efficiency into every arena, stadium, and facility. How does your team compare?
To learn more, read our white paper Unlocking negawatts: The role of lighting in energy security and decarbonization, developed in collaboration with our partner Climate Group.
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2023, we had sales of EUR 6.7 billion, approximately 32,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for seven consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for four consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.
