A new report co-published by SGR shows that the recent expansion of European club football competitions is leading to a large jump in associated GHG emissions. The research also shows that the competitions' sponsorship deals with high-carbon companies are responsible for even more emissions.
Media release, 29 May 2025
New analysis highlights the growing climate cost of Europe’s expanding club competitions, as emissions from the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League rise sharply. The surge is being driven by an increase in fixtures, heavy reliance on air travel, and sponsorship deals with high-polluting companies – despite growing calls for football to align with climate science and cut emissions fast.
The research, carried out by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) in collaboration with the New Weather Institute (NWI) and Cool Down – The Sport for Climate Action Network, shows that total match-related emissions from UEFA’s three club competitions rose by 209,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) in the 2024/25 season. That’s the same as nearly 150,000 petrol cars driven for an entire year.
The largest rise was in the Europa League, where the number of matches increased by 54% and emissions jumped by 40% in just one year. The Champions League saw a similar trend, with a new format driving up games and emissions. In contrast, the Conference League saw emissions fall by 19%, largely due to a drop in fan attendance – suggesting fans may be growing tired of yet more international fixtures.
But it’s not just travel that’s driving the rise. UEFA’s commercial deals are driving ‘sponsored emissions’. These are estimated to generate 6 million tCO₂e per season for the Champions League alone, more than three times the match-related emissions for all three competitions. A single deal with Qatar Airways accounts for two-thirds of that total.
The report warns that, without leadership and urgent action, UEFA’s expansion plans could lock in emissions that undermine its own sustainability commitments – and put the future of the game at risk.
Dr Stuart Parkinson, lead researcher for the report, said, “Our analysis shows that UEFA’s competitions are driving up emissions at precisely the moment we need to be bringing them down. UEFA cannot claim to care about sustainability while locking in emissions that endanger the future of both sport and wider society."
Report: Playing with the Planet: the climate cost of UEFA’s growth plan
Image: NWI
