How can sports events adapt to climate change?

This editorial introduces a special issue focused on how sport organizations and events are responding and adapting to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Climate change is becoming a central concern for the sport industry, requiring organizations to move beyond symbolic sustainability actions toward meaningful environmental adaptation and responsibility. The editorial synthesizes emerging research across multiple sport contexts (including mega-events, football clubs, and sport event organizations) to identify key sustainability challenges, adaptation strategies, and future research directions.

Many sport organizations still struggle to integrate climate adaptation and sustainability into everyday operations because of limited resources, weak governance, inconsistent strategies, and communication challenges. The studies featured in the Special Issue also show that fans generally support sustainability initiatives, although social issues are often prioritized over environmental concerns, and that sport organizations can strengthen engagement and reputation through authentic sustainability actions.

Sustainability and climate adaptation need to be embedded into long-term organizational strategies, and sport managers have to improve communication, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of environmental initiatives.

CITE: Cayolla, R., Trendafilova, S., Escadas, M., Daddi, T., & Casper, J. M. (2025). Climate change and sports events adaptations. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1706627. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1706627

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