How Climate Change Is Impacting Soccer

The present and looming impacts of rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns force us to re-evaluate everything from business models to social and racial justice. But how does climate change impact sports?

The truth is, climate change dramatically impacts the soccer world in particular. Here are three ways climate change is currently impacting soccer, and how it will continue to do so in the coming years. 

Flight Emissions

According to NPR, greenhouse gas emissions from flights contribute to about 2% of the world’s total carbon emissions.

Typically at the professional level, soccer teams fly from location to location. They have a lot of ground to cover in a little bit of time. Moreover, fans often rush to buy tickets cross-country or globally to see their favorite teams. Soccer draws a crowd from all over the world for global tournaments.

This is a tourism and cultural benefit, although, if examined from a climate change standpoint, could be considered a growing problem soccer players and fans must face along with the rest of the world.

In the growing wake of the climate change threats, soccer teams and administrators will have to become more aware of flying’s heavy carbon cost and adjust accordingly in order to do their part in tackling the climate emergency. 

Extreme Weather Patterns

Another way the football world will feel the effects of climate change is through extreme weather patterns. As a sport that is often enjoyed outside, teams will have to endure rising temperatures especially in southern and Mediterranean areas. 

Rising global temperatures can also cause floods, cyclones, droughts, wildfires, and other weather patterns that disrupt and destroy the things we love—our soccer stadiums. According to The Guardian’s article, “In England, 23 of the 92 league grounds can expect partial or total annual flooding of their stadiums by 2050.” 

Two new coastal California NWSL teams, San Diego Wave and Angel City, might especially have to consider the effects of the climate emergency as California’s climate has been changing.

Player Health

As mentioned, player health is a concern with climate change driving up temperature around the world. Changing weather patterns can especially affect soccer players, who work outside during the hottest months in the year.

Playing in extreme heat can be physically and physiologically detrimental to a soccer player’s health, not to mention the quality of the game.

Soccer is a physically demanding game, with players sprinting up and down a hot field for ninety minutes or more. It’s difficult for a body to self-regulate under high heat and humidity even if you train for it. Dizziness, fatigue, and even heat stroke can set in quickly even without performing high levels of activity.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is one of the most recent examples of extreme temperatures causing problems for athletes, with some heat precautions and extra water breaks being introduced in tennis and soccer. In fact, the U.S. Women’s National Team had to train hard in heat labs and other extreme conditions to acclimate to Tokyo’s 90+ degree temperatures and high humidity. 

Takeaways: 

• Climate change is impacting the future of how soccer players and fans collectively travel for and to soccer games.
• As the global temperature rises and extreme heat patterns occur, our coastal stadiums and other fields are at risk of flooding and destruction.
• Brutal heat conditions and higher seasonal temperatures can harm a soccer player’s ability to manage their internal core temperature, potentially leading to heatstroke and other health problems.

Carbon footprints, energy usage, player safety, and stadium soundness are just some of the many ways climate change is impacting soccer. Luckily, soccer has a chance to impact our collective climate efforts as well. There are few things that have the ability to bring people together and lead global change like the beautiful game.

Featured image via Adobe Stock Images

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